Anheuser-Busch to invest $2bn in US breweries over next 3 years

Anheuser-Busch has revealed investment of $2 billion between now and 2020 in one of ‘the largest ever capital investment programmes in US brewing history’.

The Budweiser owner will invest close to $500 million in 2017 – including over $200 million for brewery and distribution projects, $180 million for product packaging and innovation initiatives, and $58 million to improve the sustainability of its facilities.

It will then add $1.5 billion in further funding over the next three years. The announcement is the next phase in a period of extensive and ongoing investment by Anheuser-Busch, with investments between 2011 to 2020 totalling $4.5 billion.

The plans will help expand the beer maker’s US operations and drive forward its growth strategy, including through new collaborations with companies like Teavana.

Anheuser-Busch North America president and CEO João Castro Neves said: “Since Anheuser-Busch was founded 165 years ago, our company has been deeply rooted in America’s economic and cultural life. Our love of great beer and bringing people together is part of the American story. We [will be] making these investments in our business, and the communities where we live and work, for the next 165 years.”

Dave Taylor, vice-president of supply for Anheuser-Busch, added: “We are focusing on investments which empower our employees to do what they do best – brewing the best beer. 98% of the beer we sell in America is proudly made here at our 21 breweries using the highest quality ingredients.”

The key investments include $82 million to be shared between the supply chain and distribution operations at Anheuser-Busch’s sites in Los Angeles and Columbus.

There will also be extensive investment in a number of AB breweries coast-to-coast from Fairfield, California to Merrimack, New Hampshire.

It will also invest in sustainability at its brewery in St. Louis, energy efficiency improvements in Jacksonville, and additional water efficiency and treatment capabilities in Los Angeles. An extra $7 million will be spent on ‘various improvements’, including projects to conserve resource and integrate new products, at the brewery in Columbus.