Scotch whisky producer Ian Macleod Distillers says it is proposing to review staff positions at its Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk in the Central Lowlands.
In a statement, the business said it “has taken the difficult decision to propose a review of staffing levels”.
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The move comes “in response to challenging trading conditions, the softening of the global whisky market and other external factors”, it added.
Production at the distillery, which produces the Rosebank single malt Scotch brand, will continue and the site will stay open to visitors.
The move was also driven by “lower than anticipated” visitor numbers, Stuart Hendry, brand homes director at Rosebank Distillery, said.
He added: “This, combined with the level of tourism footfall from passing visitors in Falkirk, is insufficient to sustain our current operating model. To safeguard future business, we have taken the difficult decision to propose a realignment of our opening hours to better suit demand.”
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By GlobalDataWhile the distillery will continue to be open, the business has proposed “shorter and more flexible” public opening hours.
The business did not disclose the number of jobs at risk, noting that: “Some of our colleagues will be impacted by the proposed changes and this is a sensitive process.”
Ian Macleod bought the Falkirk distillery and acquired the Rosebank trademark from Diageo in 2017. It completed its first distillation runs at the site in 2023.
The distillery, which sits between Glasgow and Edinburgh, ceased production in 1993 when it was shut by then-owners United Distillers, which later became Diageo.
“Proposing to adjust our business model now will allow long-term growth. We remain committed to working alongside other local attractions, Falkirk Council, VisitScotland, and VisitBritain to promote Falkirk as a tourism destination, and we are focused on growing long-term, sustainable business relationships with our travel trade partners,” Hendry added.
In 2024, global exports of Scotch whisky dipped in value terms but increased in volume, according to findings from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) released in February.
Exports by value stood at £5.4bn ($6.7bn) last year, marking a 3.7% decrease from 2023.
Volumes of Scotch exports rose by 3.9% to 1.4bn bottles, reflecting “changing trends in global consumer preferences and challenging trading environment”.
