Up to 20 jobs potentially at risk at Glenesk mill
Employees at Pauls Malt’s Glenesk malting plant in Montrose, Scotland, have reportedly been informed the company intends to make up to 20 employees redundant.
The redundancies are reportedly a direct result of a decline in demand for Scotch whisky. One contributing factor to this decline is reportedly Donald Trump’s US tariffs, which have affected whisky exports to the US.
Boortmalt, owner of Paul Malt, has stayed tight-lipped on the staff changes, first reported in early March by The Courier, with the publication claiming “a consultation process is under way”.
Insiders reported that up to 20 jobs could be at risk at the plant. However, the company has not confirmed any details about the potential layoffs, including when they might take effect.
Paul Malt and Boortmalt declined to comment when approached by The Spirits Business.
The news follows the Glenesk plant’s 2024 expansion, which increased its production by 15,000 metric tonnes.
The mill produces malt for breweries and distilleries, and is described as a major producer of peated malt used in single malt whiskies.
Paul’s Malt has been owned by the Belgian company Boortmalt since 2010, which manages its UK operations from Bury St Edmunds. The group operates 27 malting plants on five continents.
In addition to the Glenesk mill, Pauls Malt oversees plants in Buckie in Moray, Scotland, and two in England.
In the past six months, Scotch distilleries have faced challenges. Job cuts have impacted distilleries including Lindores Abbey, as well as Bowmore and Laphroaig, owned by Suntory Global Spirits.
Additional closures have included the elimination of BrewDog’s distilling arm, followed by the entire company’s buyout by Tilray earlier this month.
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