Coca-Cola closes production line: 19 jobs in Bad Neuenahr affected!

Coca-Cola closes production line: 19 jobs in Bad Neuenahr affected!

In Bad Neuenahr there are concerns about the future of the Coca-Cola plant. How rhein-zeitung.de Reportedly, Coca-Cola is planning to shut down a production line, which is not good news for the region. A total of 19 jobs will be cut from autumn 2023. Mayor Guido Orthen is critical of the developments and emphasizes how crucial the plant is as an employer for the city of Bad Neuenahr.

The reason for the closure of the production line is a change in consumer behavior, which is reflected in a slight decline in demand for disposable PET bottles. This information source is provided by blick-aktuell.de added, which points out that the affected line is one of the older systems and is currently running in two shifts. The shutdown is scheduled for September or October 2025.

New positions in other locations

Of the five production lines at the Bad Neuenahr site, only one line remains affected, while the other four remain in operation. According to CCEP DE, the Bad Neuenahr location remains part of the German production network. The net job cuts will be 19 jobs, as two new positions will be created at other locations.

Interestingly, Coca-Cola plans to make the job cuts on a voluntary basis. This is supplemented by an attractive severance package offered to the affected employees. The first discussions have already been initiated, with the Director of Production at CCEP DE, Matthias Hickstein, emphasizing that we will work closely with the employee representatives and that transparency in communication is very important.

Regional significance and reactions

Mayor Orthen sees the closure of the production line as a serious cutback. Especially at a time when many people are looking for work, such a decision has a direct impact on the local economy. Orthen emphasizes the role of the Coca-Cola plant as a flagship for the Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler region. The hope remains that, through good collaboration, solution-oriented approaches will be developed to provide those affected with the best possible support.

At a time when the economy needs to diversify, municipalities are required to create alternative employment opportunities. Such changes can always represent a risk, but there is also an opportunity to adapt to changing market conditions. The job cuts are not just a loss, but also an opportunity to break new ground.