The brewer will create 32 new jobs in operational and management roles at its Magnor, South Wales brewery. A further 23 new roles in operations and specialist engineering will be created at its Samlesbury, Lancashire site.
Investment in South Wales and Lancashire – £72m and £45m respectively – will boost Budweiser’s capacity by 3.6m hectolitres, the equivalent of 630 pints, through the installation of modern and eco-friendly infrastructure. Full details of the investment can be found in the box below.
Support the industry
By committing to its UK operation, the brewer hopes to boost the economy and support more than 900,000 jobs in the beer industry.
Budweiser Brewing Group UK & I president Paula Lindenberg said: “Like many in the UK, we are focussed on a strong recovery of our economy, our communities and our country. By investing in our breweries with new roles and new technology to increase capacity, we’re ensuring that we can brew and deliver great beers for many years to come.
“We know the beer industry is hugely valuable to the UK economy, and we believe our investments in our UK operations will be a catalyst for the recovery post-COVID.”
International investors ss
Minister for investment Lord Gerry Grimstone said the investment was great news for South Wales and Lancashire and would help boost the UK’s profile as a safe bet for international investment.
Volodimir Kukuruza, brewery manager at Samlesbury brewery, added: “This ongoing investment makes us one of the most appealing employers in Preston, and we look forward to supporting the area to a strong recovery.”
Meanwhile, Wrexham-based Village Bakery has secured investment from private equity firm Limerston Capital that will see the opening of a new facility and the creation of 115 jobs.
Budweiser investment
Magor Brewery, South Wales - £72m investment, 1.6m hectolitre capacity increase
- New bottling line installed to increase brewing capacity
- Eight new 8,000 hectolitre fermenting units to increase brewing capacity
- 32 new jobs in operational and management roles
- Brewery-wide efficiency improvements such as better chillers, and increased line speed on several lines.
- An improved wort cooler, beneficial for beer quality, which will also lead to significant energy savings of 40 million megajoules a year.
- Magor already receives 20% of its electricity direct from a wind turbine which is believed to be the longest to enter commercial operation on UK soil.
Samlesbury Brewery, Lancashire - £45m investment, 2m hectolitre capacity increase (2021/2022)
- Installation of a new canning line for new sustainable plastic ring-free cans – increasing canning capacity.
- Multiple modifications in brewing, utilities and logistics – increasing brewing capacity.
- 23 new jobs in operational and specialist engineering roles.
- Brewery-wide efficiency and equipment improvements, including a boiler system upgrade.
