POLAND, MAINE, Maine — At least two dozen employees who work at the Poland Spring Water bottling plants in Poland and Hollis will be laid off, according to an insider at the plant who spoke with the Portland Press Herald.
The company Blue Triton Brands, which recently acquired Poland Spring from Nestle, blames the layoffs on “reorganization.”
A spokesperson for the beverage company explained to the Press Herald that the now smaller bottling company must find ways to create success amid factors such as consumer preferences, and a changing market that influences revenue and profit margins for water bottling companies.
According to the Press Herald, a company spokesperson told them, "To compete successfully, we must continually assess how to effectively allocate and align resources, ensuring we have the right structures and sufficient capacity to do what needs to be done on accelerated time frames."
The spokesperson acknowledged that the changes they are making will impact the lives of many people who rely on their jobs at the bottling plant for a living. "We recognize the personal impact of these changes on affected employees, and we are providing transition support, including separation benefits that recognize tenure and their many contributions to the company," the spokesperson told the Press Herald.
While the company said they will reduce positions, they plan on ramping up production to meet increased demand. The spokesperson tells the Press Herald, "demand for our products continues to grow.”
As of Saturday, the exact number of employees who are expected to be laid off is not yet known.
