Brewer introduced a global productivity drive as weak demand and shifting consumer trends weigh on future performance
Heineken on Wednesday unveiled plans to eliminate as many as 6,000 roles worldwide and trimmed its expectations for profit growth in 2026 compared with the outlook it shared a year ago, as the Dutch brewer and others in the industry contend with sluggish consumer demand.
The world’s second-largest brewer by market capitalisation is also in the process of finding a new chief executive after the unexpected resignation of Dolf van den Brink in January. Management has pledged to drive stronger growth while using fewer resources, aiming to reassure investors who have criticised the company for lagging on efficiency.
Across the wider beer market, sales momentum has weakened due to pressure on household budgets, geopolitical uncertainty and unfavourable weather conditions.
Cost Cuts Tied To Productivity Push
Heineken, which brews brands such as Tiger and Amstel in addition to its flagship lager, said a new productivity programme would generate savings and lead to a reduction of 5,000 to 6,000 jobs over the next two years, close to 7 per cent of its global workforce of around 87,000.
“We really do this to strengthen our operations and to be able to invest in growth,” finance chief Harold van den Broek said on a media call announcing the company’s annual results.
He added that part of the workforce reduction would be concentrated in Europe and in markets considered lower priority with limited growth potential. Additional cuts are expected to stem from earlier measures aimed at streamlining Heineken’s supply chain, headquarters and regional business divisions.
Softer Profit Outlook
Van den Brink, who will step down in May, said there was no fresh update on the search for his successor.
Beyond the current demand slowdown, Heineken and competitors such as Anheuser-Busch InBev are also grappling with structural declines in beer consumption in several major markets. These trends have been influenced by concerns about alcohol’s health effects and the growing popularity of weight-loss medications.
For 2026, Heineken projected profit growth of 2 per cent to 6 per cent, a more cautious outlook than the 4 per cent to 8 per cent growth forecast it had previously issued for 2025.
The company also posted annual organic operating profit growth of 4.4 per cent for 2025, exceeding analysts’ expectations of 4 per cent.
