MEDFORD — Anheuser-Busch, the nation’s largest brewing company, announced last Thursday that it will lay off 193 employees at its Medford facility as part of a transition to a new Massachusetts-based distributor, Quality Beverage. The layoffs will take effect between Nov. 1 and Nov. 14, according to a notice provided to the state.
“We continuously assess our operational footprint to ensure our entire system is set up for long-term success,” Simon Wuestenberg, U.S. chief sales officer at Anheuser-Busch, said in a statement. “The transition of these operations will ensure that Anheuser-Busch and our network of independent distributors will continue to drive the growth of our iconic portfolio of brands while providing world-class service to our retail customers across Massachusetts.”
According to a spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch contacted by The Boston Globe, the company is working closely with Quality Beverage to ensure a “smooth transition” for its operations and local teams, with some job opportunities potentially available for Boston-based employees, though the exact number has not been specified.
Carl and Carmine Martignetti, principals of Martignetti Companies, which owns Quality Beverage, expressed their enthusiasm for the expanded partnership, stating, “We are pleased to expand our relationship with Anheuser-Busch into the greater Boston area and to represent its industry-leading brands in the marketplace. We are proud to be a part of Anheuser-Busch’s best-in-class nationwide distribution network, and we appreciate the confidence Anheuser-Busch is demonstrating in us through this expanded partnership.”
Quality Beverage, acquired by Martignetti Companies in 2023, operates from its headquarters in Taunton, with additional distribution centers in Auburn and Chicopee. Quality Beverage serves approximately 3,200 accounts and has a portfolio of over 400 brands, according to The Boston Globe.
Anheuser-Busch, founded in 1852 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV in 2008. The company remains the world’s largest brewer, with a portfolio of global brands including Budweiser, Michelob, and Stella Artois.
