LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville-based Brown-Forman announced a corporate restructuring that will cut 12% of its global workforce of 5,400 employees.

In a news release Tuesday, the spirits company did not detail how many of those cuts were at the Louisville headquarters.

"Brown-Forman is deeply committed to supporting departing employees with comprehensive transition agreements that include severance, outplacement services, and other benefits to help them through this career change," the company said in a statement.

In the release announcing the restructuring, Brown-Forman said it will close its barrel-making operation in Louisville by April 25, 2025. The closing of the cooperage means 210 hourly and salaried jobs will be lost at the MacLean Avenue operation. The company said it plans to offer severance, outplacement services and benefits as part of the separation agreements.

In total, a company spokesperson said Brown-Forman employs about 1,100 people in Louisville.

Brown-Forman said it will source its barrels from a supplier with the same "high-quality barrels at competitive price."

"I want to express my sincere gratitude to our employees, particularly those impacted by these changes, for their dedication and contributions to Brown Forman," President and CEO Lawson Whiting said in a statement. "We are committed to supporting them through this transition and are confident that these strategic initiatives will ensure the company endures for generations to come."

Shuttering the cooperage will save between $70 and $80 million a year and allow the sale of the cooperage, Brown-Forman said, which could bring more than $30 million.

"In shock, really," said Chris Wood who works at Brown-Forman and is President of UAW 2309. "We weren't expecting this. We heard there was going to be a meeting but we didn't know what." 

Though he called the announcement "unfortunate news" for those impacted locally, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Tuesday he's confident Brown-Forman has a bright future.

"We will continue to support and work with Brown-Forman in any way we can to continue to strengthen them and every other business in this industry," he said. "While part of their business might be challenged at the moment for lots of different reasons, here in Louisville, bourbon tourism continues to thrive. Record numbers of people continue to visit Brown-Forman's facilities, as well as others, and we are going to continue to support them in that regard."

Brown-Forman has been based in Louisville for 155 years. Its brands include Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, Herradura, el Jimador, Korbel, Old Forester, The Glendronach, Glenglassaugh, Benriach, Diplomático Rum, Chambord, Gin Mare, Fords Gin, Slane, and Coopers’ Craft. It operates in 170 countries around the world.

More area business stories: 

Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.