Suntory offers redundancy as it merges Islay distillery teams
The operational teams at Islay whisky distilleries Bowmore and Laphroaig will be combined into one to align with long-term demand, Suntory Global Spirits has confirmed.
The owner of Bowmore and Laphroaig has confirmed that there will be operational adjustments to its whisky business on Islay, Scotland, where the operations teams at its two distilleries on the island will join together as a single team.
The structural change is said to align with updated production needs and follows traditional seasonal operating models used across the Scotch industry, Suntory Global Spirits explained.
“These are responsible, forward‑looking adjustments to balance distillation with maturing inventory and protect the long‑term health of the brands”, it said.
While there are no compulsory redundancies, the company has opened a voluntary redundancy programme for staff at the distilleries.
Suntory said its in a formal process and is unable comment on numbers.
“It is entirely voluntary, confidential, and supported by HR. It’s simply there as an option for colleagues who feel that the new single‑team structure may not suit their individual needs,” the company said.
Despite the changes, Suntory said it has no plans to close either distillery and both will continue producing whisky while remaining ‘strategic priority brands’ for the company.
“Distillation continues at both Bowmore and Laphroaig. We are indeed making adjustments to production volumes to align with long term demand and maturing inventory, as many Scotch producers are doing,” the company said.
Alistair Longwell, head of distilling and environment at Suntory Global Spirits, said: “Bowmore and Laphroaig are iconic Scotch whisky brands with exceptional heritage and craft, and they are long-term priorities for Suntory Global Spirits.
“As part of our commitment to producing whisky of the highest quality in a sustainable and efficient way, we are making operational adjustments on Islay to align production with long‑term demand.
“Distillation continues at both distilleries, and we remain fully committed to Islay, our people, and the communities that have supported these whiskies for generations.”
Suntory also confirmed that the both visitors centres will remain open. The company is planning a “strong capital investment programme” at both distilleries over the next three years, as part of its “long‑term confidence in the brands and in Islay”.
Spirits sales for Suntory Global Spirits were down in 2025, though the company did not disclose by how much.
The company was hindered by a ‘slowdown in consumption caused by economic uncertainty’ in the US and Europe.
The whisky industry across the world is facing a drop in demand after several years of growth during the pandemic. Several major Scotch companies have cut production or jobs in response to the slowdown.
Fife-based InchDairnie Distillery, Ian Macleod Distillers-owned Rosebank, Brown-Forman’s Glenglassaugh, and Isle of Harris have all looked into restructuring.
Last month, Diageo said it was considering closing its Clynelish visitor centre, though whisky production will continue.
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