Labatt boosts production and sustainability with $26.6M expansion of London Brewery
New fermenting cellar and packaging technology added to continue meeting Canadians' changing needs and tastes
LONDON, ON, Nov. 14, 2023 /CNW/ - Labatt Breweries of Canada is expanding its production capability by investing $26.6m directly into its London brewery to fund the addition of a new four-tank fermenting cellar and two new packers. This expansion is a part of Labatt's ongoing commitment to invest in sustainable solutions, evolve consumer demand and prepare its breweries for future growth, building on the brewery's $52.6 million investment in line upgrades, enhancements and sustainable innovations in 2021.
To enable Labatt to meet growing consumer demand, $13.5 million of the investment will fund the addition of four new tanks for the brewery's fermenting cellar, increasing the capacity at the London brewhouse by 597K hectoliters per year—equivalent to 4 new tanks.
Also expanding the brewery's operational capabilities, $13.09 million will fund two new packaging lines in the brewhouse. This innovative packaging technology uses a sustainable paperboard, enabling products to be packaged with significantly less glue compared to previous models. The lines also improve inspection capabilities in operations to ensure packaging is robust and meets the demands of Canadian consumers.
"Our London brewery is the largest in Labatt's network, brewing over 40 per cent of the beer we brew for Canadians, and this significant investment boosts the facility's production capacity and sustainability performance," said Jeff Ryan, VP Legal & Corporate Affairs, Labatt Breweries of Canada. "With this increased production capacity, Labatt can meet current Canadian consumer demand while also setting us up for future growth."
"The new packaging line at our London brewery will improve the way we package our products from both an environmental and quality assurance standpoint," says Alex Martel, Brewery Manager, London, Labatt Breweries of Canada. "We are constantly doing what's needed to ensure the brewery is prepared for future growth through production and environmental efficiencies, and this injection of capital will go a long way to optimize our brewery."
Capital investments made from 2019-2023 in Ontario total nearly $80 million, demonstrating Labatt's ongoing commitment to the province. The upgrades and expansions funded by Labatt's capital investment program will benefit the brewery and the London community and help make operations more sustainable for years to come.
Labatt Breweries of Canada is one of Canada's most established businesses and its leading beverage company, with over 3,600 employees; an unmatched portfolio of more than 60 quality beers, ready-to-drink and non-alcoholic products; six key breweries; and four craft breweries from coast-to-coast. Our employees are the driving force behind our business – brewing the world's most loved beverages, building iconic brands and creating meaningful experiences for Canadians. Through 176 years of brewing excellence, we are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life's moments, dream big to move our industry forward and make a meaningful impact in our communities through a collective purpose of creating A Future with More Cheers.
SOURCE Labatt Breweries of Canada
Hannah Love, Senior Director of Communications, Labatt Breweries of Canada [email protected] 416-990-0483 or Erin Bell, Enterprise Communications [email protected] 905-630-2337.
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