Layoffs at Manty Anheuser-Busch plant

MANITOWOC - There is a sour note brewing at Anheuser-Busch. Approximately 45 hourly employees at the Manitowoc malt plant are being laid off.

Company officials say the layoffs are due to high inventories of malt worldwide. They say the cuts will also affect a small number of salaried positions.

“This was a very difficult decision. Many good workers who are trusted and valued at the plant will be laid off or separated. We respect and are grateful for their many contributions,” said plant manager David Luckow in a statement.

Those being laid off will receive full pay and benefits through January 12. Luckow says about 15 hourly and salaried employees will continue working at the plant. Approximately 30 percent of the plant will remain operational after the layoffs.

The president of Teamsters Local 662, Tony Cornelius, says he is talking with the company to try to work out a severance package for the employees.

Manitowoc's Mayor, Justin Nickels, says the layoff will affect everybody in Manitowoc.

"This is also the largest contributor to our utility, Anheuser-Bush, so it has a direct effect on the rate payers of Manitowoc also," said Nickels.

Nickels says he will be working with Anheuser-Busch and the state to see how they can try to bring the jobs back as quickly as possible.

Anheuser-Busch, Inc. is the largest brewing company in the United States, it produces Budweiser.