US: Constellation to cut 230 Vincor jobs

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 12 July 2006

Constellation Brands has said around 230 jobs will be lost as the company integrates its recently-acquired Vincor International operations around the world.

The US drinks giant said that the cuts represented around 10% of the Vincor workforce. The jobs lost would "primarily" come from Vincor's operations in the US, UK and Canada, where Constellation had a "significantly larger" presence than the Canadian company.

Constellation president and chief operating officer Rob Sands said yesterday (11 July): "We wish we could retain everyone, but that is not possible because a small percentage of positions are duplicative. We provide appropriate transition support for anyone impacted by these changes."

Constellation said that 14 jobs would be lost from Vincor's operations in Canada, where around four-fifths of the company's workers are based. Vincor's domestic business will be renamed Vincor Canada and become Constellation's fifth "core market" alongside the US, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The integration is expected to be substantially complete by the end of fiscal year 2007, Constellation said, adding that it expects to incur integration and restructuring costs of US$39m before tax.

Sectors: Wine

Companies: Constellation