Facing pressure from an increasingly crowded craft beer market, Lagunitas Brewing Co. will lay off 12 percent of its workforce, more than 100 employees company-wide, reports the Chicago Tribune. The California-based brewer, which operates a production plant in Chicago, posted a letter on its website from CEO Maria Stipp explaining the decision, which affects all departments across the country. The company has about 900 employees in total.
Bart Watson, chief economist for the Brewers Association, says the growth in the number of craft breweries is not slowing, making it harder for national brands such as Lagunitas to compete for market share. Broad distribution is necessary for the company in order to grow, Watson says. Beyond the sheer number of competitors, national distribution may work against Lagunitas among craft beer aficionados, for whom being local is an integral part of a brewery's appeal, according to the report. Full Story
Related: Craft Brewer Lagunitas Sold to Heineken; Heineken Acquires Lagunitas Brewing Co.
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