Major alcohol distributor to lay off hundreds in Bay Area, cease operations in California

(KRON) — One of the largest alcohol wholesalers in the country is cutting hundreds of jobs in the Bay Area and across the state as part of a move to cease its operations in California altogether. Republic National Distributing Company will be laying off 1,756 people across the state, according to filings with the Employment Development Department.

Locally, the company will be cutting 156 jobs in Santa Clara County and 330 jobs in Alameda County. The majority of the job cuts, 878, will be in Orange County.

The company is cutting an additional 136 jobs in Yolo County, 80 jobs in San Diego County, and 176 jobs in Los Angeles County.

All the job cuts are described as permanent.

In June, the company’s CEO Bob Hendrickson announced that Republic National Distributing Company would be shuttering its operations in California, effective Sept. 2.

“We’ve made the difficult decision to withdraw from California, which affects many of the roles in the state,” said Hendrickson in a statement. “We are complying with all regulatory obligations and are committed to handling every transition thoughtfully and smoothly and ensuring everyone is treated fairly and respectfully.”

The job cuts in the Bay Area will impact workers in Hayward, Pleasanton, and Morgan Hill.