Heineken is investing £50m into its Manchester brewery in order to ramp up production by around two million hectolitres – or 350 million pints.
The investment demonstrates Heineken’s long-term ambition to build on its leading position in the important UK market, the company said, and forms part of a wider £126m investment in its UK facilities. This includes £58m on its Hereford cider plant announced in April, and £18m spent in upgrading and modernising its Star Pubs & Bars estate.
The Manchester brewery, which the company described as a “strategic production site” within the UK, will see a new kegging line installed, to provide pubs with draught beer, as well as increasing production. Work is expected to finish by summer 2015.
The investment will enable Heineken to continue to meet strong customer demand for is brands into the future, the company said. “Heineken is the UK’s leading beer and cider business, a position that we are proud of and determined to build upon,” David Forde, Heineken UK managing director, said.
“These major investments are a clear demonstration of our long-term commitment to the UK.”
The investment in the Hereford plant will consolidate cider production in one site by 2016, with its Ledbury cider plant changing to become a fruit milling site.
The company reported growth in premium beers and improving global volumes had boosted group revenue by 3.4% in the first quarter of 2014. Western Europe saw volume growth of 1.8%, but volumes fell in the UK, as a result of poor weather early in the quarter and a late Easter, it said.
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