Heineken NV, the Dutch brewing giant behind brands including Heineken, Amstel, and Tiger, has revealed plans to reduce its global workforce by up to 6,000 employees over the next two years, representing nearly 7% of its 87,000-strong staff. The move comes as the company grapples with weakening beer demand and a challenging market environment.
The cuts will affect both production and administrative roles, spanning Europe and international markets, as the brewer seeks to streamline operations and boost efficiency. The announcement coincides with a lowered profit growth outlook for 2026, as Heineken recalibrates its strategy in response to softer consumer demand in mature markets.
Brandspur Brand News reports that Heineken’s workforce reduction forms part of a broader restructuring initiative aimed at enhancing operational productivity and unlocking significant cost savings. Harold van den Broek, Heineken’s Chief Financial Officer, stated, “We really do this to strengthen our operations and to be able to invest in growth.” Some of the reductions are linked to earlier measures affecting supply chains, head offices, and regional divisions.
The development follows the January resignation of CEO Dolf van den Brink, who will step down in May after six years in the role. Van den Brink faced mounting pressure from investors to improve growth and efficiency while managing with reduced resources.
In 2025, Heineken reported a 1.2% decline in total beer volumes globally. Net revenue, however, grew 1.6% to €28.9 billion (US$31.2 billion), driven by strong performance in emerging markets including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and India. European volumes fell 3.4%, while the Americas recorded a 2.8% decline. Profit growth for the year reached 4.4%, although the company has revised its 2026 guidance downward to 2–6% from the previously forecast 4–8%.
Van den Brink highlighted progress under the long-term EverGreen strategy, including the acquisition of FIFCO in Central America, marking Heineken’s largest deal in over a decade. “EverGreen 2030 builds on the foundation laid by EverGreen 2025, focusing on sharper strategy, clearer resource allocation, and value creation,” he said.
Looking ahead, Heineken plans disciplined execution of productivity improvements and operating model changes, aiming for sustainable cost reductions while navigating continued uncertainty in the global beer market.
