Reports on social media from ex-employees of Stone Brewing indicate that multiple people have been laid off from the company, including “HQ Brewceptionist” Denise Ratfield who penned an acknowledgment of the situation on her Facebook page.
The news comes as the company recently brought in a CEO to replace Greg Koch, who moved to a new position as executive chairman. Stone Brewing just opened taprooms at new brewing facilities in Berlin, Germany and Richmond, Virginia within the past couple of months.
When reached for a comment, Stone PR sent this statement from CEO Dominic Engels:
“Due to an unforeseen slowdown in our consistent growth and changes in the craft beer landscape, we have had to make the difficult decision to restructure our staff. Unfortunately, this comes despite a year that includes the incredible accomplishments of opening two new breweries, which are ultimately expanding the availability of Stone beers and boosting the reputation of American craft beer in Europe.
More recently however, the larger independent craft segment has developed tremendous pressures. Specifically, the onset of greater pressures from Big Beer as a result of their acquisition strategies, and the further proliferation of small, hyper-local breweries has slowed growth. With business and the market now less predictable, we must restructure to preserve a healthy future for our company. Even given this unfortunate circumstance, we will continue to be fiercely independent and, importantly, Stone remains one of the largest – if not the largest – employers in the craft brewing segment. [emphasis in the original]
It is crucial to recognize that this decision was made after much careful consideration. Approximately 5% of all team members were affected, and they were offered a substantial notice period and career transition services. The team members no longer with our company are talented, committed individuals who have held important roles in our organization, and we expect that their talents will be in high demand. This reduction was not a reflection of the work they did, but a careful decision made to ensure that our company will remain competitive and profitable. No additional layoffs are expected within Stone’s foreseeable future.”
Stone was reported to have more than 1,100 employees in September, 2015.
Jbob says
This is exactly what I would expect to happen when a craft beer company becomes a “big beer” company from the inside out. Instead of selling like ballast point it seems like they are becoming corporate from the inside.
It had to be a shock to all the “Crafty Folks” that worked there and thought stone was different. All the good folks that thought they worked in the craft beer industry and went home to make their handmade root beer deodorant.
I remember when Stone said they would never put fruit in their beers…
I remember when they made fun of companies that had commercials…
I predicted this when they made the beer with the unacceptable name become its own company the bastards….
I bought some ruination the other night and the labels were stickers……
Here comes the watermelon imperial stout…
George B says
If we read between the lines, we will quickly realize that the restructuring isn’t about Big Beer, or “ultra-local” beer, whatever that means (it’s also a pretty cowardly move on Stones part to try and deflect the blame onto their fellow craft beer comrades, many of whom they distribute for, I might add). No. This restructuring is about years and years of Stone’s careless hiring, an unfocused and seemingly random game plan, and a blatant disregard for employee’s satisfaction and well-being. I speak for the vast majority of Stone expats when I say that the employees at Stone were never a top priority for the company. Ask anyone who worked there, or still works there for that matter, and they will tell you that they are underpaid and overworked. Morale within the walls of Stone is often shockingly low, I’m sure lower after today. The real sadness about this though, is that the people in charge of making these careless decisions won’t at all be affected by their actions.
Over the last many years, I’ve watched as Stone has quietly transitioned from a company who’s bottom line is focused strictly on the quality of their products, to a company who’s bottom line is focused strictly on the amount of money coming through the door at the end of the day. This transition is a sad, and all too common reality in the current craft beer world. It’s sadder to see companies as monumental as Stone fall for the same hook. The beauty of being a part of a craft industry is that we don’t have to focus our bottom line on money. We can instead focus on innovation and passion, and let the money come second as a result of those things. When a craft company becomes about the money, they may as well not even bother to call themselves craft anymore. Stone is a perfect example of this, especially as they flail to keep the illusion that they will continue to remain “fiercely independent” despite recently reaching a sizable deal with a private equity firm.
I hope that the news today sheds a little bit of light on the ugly underside of Stone’s giant and intimidating façade. It’s a disappointing reality who’s exposure was a long time coming.
Alan says
Just a sign that the craft beer bubble may finally have burst. The craft beer bubble bursting was never going to hurt Bud-Miller-Coors but the larger craft brewers like Stone, Dogfish and Sierra Nevada. Too many smaller-more hipper breweries making the beers that people crave while the giant craft dinosaurs start to become extinct. Small local breweries are thriving still, i.e. Bagby Brewing, Modern Times, Hess, Societe, which is now hurting the big craft breweries that are old fashioned and who can’t keep up with times. The writing is on the wall, Stone is passe now. This is just the start.