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Coca-Cola is set to shutter a Massachusetts bottling facility by the end of the year.
The closure will lead to layoffs of 175 workers, according to a WARN notice filed with the state of Massachusetts. The Northampton plant bottled the company’s noncarbonated beverages such as Minute Maid and Powerade, according to media reports.
The closure isn’t unexpected. Coca-Cola first announced in 2021 that it intended to close the plant in 2023, though the decision was pushed back, according to local budget reports. As Northampton’s largest water user, Coca-Cola’s planned closure had received pushback from community members who worried that the move could raise utility costs.
“While employees have been aware of these plans for some time, the company is issuing formal notices now to provide as much advance notice as possible,” a Coca-Cola spokesperson said in an email. “The company is committed to supporting employees through this transition, including working closely with the state to identify new job opportunities.”
The job cuts are expected to be conducted in August and November, according to the filing.
Coca-Cola most recently reported a revenue jump of 12% to about $12.5 billion, with the beverage giant benefiting from an increase in concentrate sales and a 2% price hike.
The company has recently undergone various corporate restructuring initiatives, most recently announcing it would replace its North American president. New CEO Henry Braun has also added a new chief people officer and added the role of digital officer as he looks to drive new growth opportunities.
