Sodastream is laying off about 300 workers in Israel

Sodastream is laying off about 300 workers in Israel. The workers, who make up about 10% of the company's workforce in the country, have received notices of dismissal in the last two days. The company employs 3,200 people in Israel, where it coordinates production activities, and another 1,800 worldwide. Soda Stream is held by the international corporation PepsiCo, which acquired it in 2018 for $ 3.2 billion.
The company says that most of those laid off are those who were recruited to the company in the last two years, against the background of the surge in sales during the Corona period, when households preferred to produce homemade soda instead of purchasing it in a supermarket. During the corona the company also developed a device that makes breathing easier. In 2021, sales fell to pre-Corona volumes, production was reduced accordingly and the need for additional workers decreased.
All those fired are from Israel, especially from the factory in Rahat. The company also has a small flavor factory in Ashkelon. The Israeli company's revenues in 2018, the last reported year, totaled $ 1.15 billion, and its operating profit was $ 193 million.
Sodastream said: "With the outbreak of the corona plague, and following the closures and increased stay in homes, there was an increase in demand for household products, including sodastreams, during 2020. Accordingly, the company increased its production line, despite the global challenges the company faced. With the prolongation of the Corona epidemic, demand for household products has returned to normal levels previously known, and after a thorough examination, a painful decision was made to reduce the number of employees and adapt it to the new business reality.
"It should be emphasized that throughout the height of the Corona epidemic, the company has maintained jobs for thousands of workers, recruited firefighters from other factories, and given all production workers at the company a bonus for their contribution. Leaving workers will receive support and guidance through a dedicated career center."