Heineken

Heineken, the Netherlands-based brewing firm, has outlined plans to boost the company’s production capacity with an investment of around £126m in the UK operations.

As part of the investment plan, the company will invest around £50m to increase the production capacity to two million hectolitres per year at Manchester brewery.

Heineken will invest £58m at its Hereford plant, where a new cider production facility will established to scale up beer exports.

Works on Manchester Brewery and the new cider plant are slated for completion by the end of 2015 and 2016 respectively.

The Manchester Brewery will create 240 jobs, while Hereford plant will secure 270 jobs.

Meanwhile, the company will also upgrade its 1,250 star pubs & bars in the country, by investing around £18m.

Heineken UK managing director David Forde said, “Heineken is committed to the UK marketplace and investing in the right infrastructure to ensure that we can continue to delight our consumers day-in and day-out with fantastic cider and beer experiences.”

In May this year, the company has announced plans to merge its majority owned subsidiaries Nigerian Breweries and Consolidated Breweries, in a move to capitalise on the growth potential of the Nigerian beer and malt drinks market over the future.

The proposed merger is expected to improve operating and administrative efficiencies; increase the new company’s speed and agility in response to market developments; and drive benefits from increased economies of scale, following its completion.

Image: Heineken brewery in Zoeterwoude, Netherlands. Photo: courtesy of M.Minderhoud.