Heineken invests £58m into Herefordshire cider-making plant
BREWER Heineken is to invest £58m into expanding capacity at its Hereford cider plant. The move is part of a £126m investment into the expansion of its UK business.
The brewer said the investment would create a world class cider production facility capable of supporting Heineken’s growth in the cider market. It will secure 270 jobs at the plant.
“This investment in Heineken’s global centre of cider making, will allow Heineken to scale up the export of its ciders to key markets around the world. All UK cider production will be handled on the site, with the fruit milling operation remaining at Ledbury. The Hereford investment will secure 270 jobs in addition to many more within in the local rural economy. The work here will be completed in 2016,” said the company in a statement.
The brewer is also pumping £50m into improving facilities at its Manchester brewery, while a further £18m will be invested in upgrading and modernising its Star Pubs & Bars estate.
The commitment to the UK market and jobs was highlighted by the Prime Minister David Cameron in a visit to Liverpool today.
“This investment will ensure that Heineken’s production facilities remain at the forefront of industry standards to help meet continued demand for its strong portfolio of ciders and beers. Today’s announcement demonstrates Heineken’s long-term ambition to build on its leading position in the important UK market,” it added.
Heineken Manchester is the world’s biggest brewer of Foster’s as well as home to Kronenbourg 1664 in the UK. The investment will enable the brewer to increase brewing production by approximately 2m hectolitres per annum (around 350m pints); and on a new kegging line which will provide pubs with draught beer.
The Manchester brewery is a strategic production site within Heineken’s UK brewing network, and it said the investment would enable it to continue to meet strong customer demand for is brands into the future. The Manchester brewery investment will secure 240 jobs, and work will be completed in the summer of 2015.
