Merrydown is to close its cider and soft drinks manufacturing plant in Sussex and contract out production to focus on brand management.
The site, in Horam, East Sussex, will stop operating by the end of the year with the loss of around 35 jobs.
Production for Shloer will switch to two breweries in Devon, Thomas Hardy in Tiverton and Hall & Woodhouse in Blandford St Mary. The company is in talks with three cidermakers to take over production of its Merrydown cider brands.
Chief executive Nigel Freer said it was an important step in the company’s shift in focus to core brand management, although it had been a “painful” decision. The company said it would benefit from increased efficiency and production capabilities. In the year to March 31 this year, turnover was up 20% to £20m, with Shloer up 30% and cider up 4%.

Topics