Jack Daniel’s Alabama whiskey barrel-making plant is closing

The Jack Daniel’s whiskey barrel-making facility in North Alabama is slated to cease operations this September. According to a state filing, the closure is set for September 14, marking a significant shift for the local industrial landscape.

Closure Details and Impact

Located at 1649 Cooperage Way in Trinity, just west of Decatur, Alabama Cooperage has confirmed it will shut its doors by mid-September. The publicly filed WARN notice indicates that more than 70 employees will be affected by the layoffs.

Independent Stave Company, the plant’s parent company, cited a need to better align production with current market demand. In a statement provided to WHNT, company spokesperson Teri Smith explained that the move is part of an ongoing evaluation process to ensure manufacturing efficiency and long-term supply stability for their customers.

A Decade of Operation

The Trinity facility, which produces the essential oak barrels used to age, color, and flavor Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, first opened in 2014. Initially launched as a $60 million project designed to support over 200 jobs, the site underwent a transition in 2024 when Independent Stave Company acquired the plant from Brown-Forman Corporation, rebranding it as Alabama Cooperage.

Broader Economic Context

This closure reflects a broader trend of industrial shifts in the region. According to data tracked via the Alabama Department of Workforce, this latest round of job cuts brings the state’s total number of employees impacted by mass layoffs and plant closures to more than 1,800 throughout 2026. 205focus.com will continue to monitor updates regarding the local labor market as more information becomes available.