Coca-Cola's local retreat: German branches shuttered amid union outrage
Coca-Cola is closing five branches in Germany. Union representatives comment that the giant is abandoning its promises and ceasing to be a global brand that produces locally. As a result of the cuts, around 500 people will lose their jobs.
The company, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, announced the closure of production and logistics plants in Cologne, Neumünster, Berlin-Hohenschönhausen, Bielefeld, and Memmingen. The changes will affect 505 people. The company states that some may be relocated to other Coca-Cola branches (207 positions), and it will also create 78 new jobs.
Union representatives: This is a breach of promises
The Gewerkschaft Nahrung-Genuss-Gaststätten trade union, which operates in Berlin and Brandenburg, emphasizes that Coca-Cola has closed 40 locations in Germany since 2010.
"With the announced closure, Coca-Cola once again moves away from its promises of being a global brand that produces locally," commented union representatives.
The producer explained that the decision resulted from changes in beverage logistics. Large companies increasingly order Coca-Cola from the central warehouse, while smaller ones prefer to place orders in beverage wholesalers. Therefore, the local logistics centres owned by the producer have less work.
Tilmann Rothhammer, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, explained that the changes are necessary for the company to remain competitive and aligned with market demands.
