RNDC will close two Illinois facilities and cut 280 jobs
The alcohol distributor said it will shift some operations to nearby sites as it reshapes its distribution network
2026-06-26
Republic National Distributing Co., one of the largest alcohol distributors in the United States, said it will close two facilities in Illinois and eliminate 280 jobs as part of a restructuring aimed at improving efficiency and reshaping its distribution network.
The company said the closures will affect its sites in East St. Louis and Cairo. The job cuts are tied to those shutdowns, which are expected to take place over the coming months.
RNDC said it plans to move some operations to other nearby facilities to limit disruption in regional supply chains. The company also said it is offering severance and job placement assistance to affected workers.
The move adds to pressure on the middle tier of the U.S. alcohol business, where distributors sit between producers and retailers. Changes at a large operator like RNDC could affect delivery routes, margins and product availability for wine, spirits and beer in some markets, even if the company shifts part of the workload elsewhere.
RNDC described the decision as part of a broader effort to improve operational efficiency and optimize its distribution footprint.
