Whiskey House of Kentucky located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, is just about to hit the two-year mark on its new high tech whiskey operation. As the distilled spirits industry has been hit with slowing sales over the last couple of years, Whiskey House is no exception and has announced a workforce reduction of 30% to better align with its whiskey production which is now at about 60% of capacity.
Whiskey House of Kentucky was founded by spirits industry veterans David Mandell and John Hargrove. The distillery celebrated its official grand opening on July 1, 2024. Based on our reporting at the time, this reduction represents about half of their workforce.
A Statement from Whiskey House CEO David Mandell
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“As an industry, we are navigating a cyclical slowdown, and our responsibility is to make thoughtful decisions that protect the long-term health of our company, our customers, and our employees,” said David Mandell, Chief Executive Officer of Whiskey House.
“These decisions are difficult because they affect people we care deeply about. That’s why we’ve worked hard to support those impacted with meaningful severance, continued benefits, and career transition assistance. While current market conditions remain challenging, we are encouraged by the momentum we are seeing in customer demand, the progress of our international expansion, and the long-term prospects for the whiskey industry. By taking these actions now, we are ensuring that Whiskey House remains financially strong, operationally ready, and positioned to lead when growth returns.”
Mandell added that, “While these workforce reductions are never easy, they do not change our confidence in the future. We remain encouraged by a strong sales pipeline, continued growth in our international business, and our belief in the long-term fundamentals of the whiskey industry. We were among the last contract manufacturers to make workforce adjustments, and we fully expect to be among the first to bring employees back as demand returns.
“Consistent with our values and culture, we have gone above and beyond to support affected employees through this transition. We are providing generous severance packages, continuation of benefits, and assistance with job placement to help ensure the softest landing possible for those impacted.”
Whiskey House of Kentucky is designed from the ground up to provide the highest-quality, customized American whiskey for the most discerning brands in the industry. By incorporating best practices, programs, and state-of-the art technology from advanced food manufacturing, and applying them to distilling, Whiskey House delivers unparalleled quality, unmatched flexibility in customization, and the ability to test and scale innovation projects for the best spirits companies in the world. Whiskey House has no brands of its own and a campus closed to the public, removing all potential conflicts of interest between the company and its customers. The team is hyper-focused on providing superior custom whiskey production, innovative liquid design, and exceptional customer service for its exclusive branded clients.
Related Story
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