Nestlé Waters has announced that it is cutting 171 jobs at its Vosges facility in eastern France, as it looks to scale back production at the site.

The announcement follows the decision in 2022 to halt the marketing of its Vittel brand in Germany. Nestlé Waters says this has negatively impacted its production volumes at the site.

Additionally, deteriorating weather conditions have affected the operating conditions of two of its wells dedicated to the production of Hépar. As a result, the company has suspended the use of the two wells, as it continues to use four other wells in connection with the Hépar brand.

Nestlé Waters’ management met with the company’s social partners on Tuesday to make the announcement. Nestlé Waters said it will propose incentives to facilitate retirement, early retirement and internal and external redeployment.

They continued: “[We] will continue to be involved in the economic and social life of the region and will work closely with the public authorities and local communities to minimise the consequences of the reorganisation on the employment area, as part of a revitalisation project. In the meantime, the company will pursue its commitment to protecting the environment and preserving water resources.”