Investment driven by popular aluminum bottle; adds local jobs
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. (September 1, 2015) –Anheuser-Busch today announced a $170 million expansion project at its Metal Container Corporation (MCC) facility in Jacksonville. As part of the company's plan to increase production of the popular Budweiser and Bud Light aluminum bottles, the project will create approximately 75 new jobs at the facility.
“We are pleased to maintain such strong partnerships with the city of Jacksonville and state of Florida, where we've proudly brewed beers, produced packaging and done business for nearly 50 years,” said Pete Kraemer, Vice President of Supply at Anheuser-Busch. “The growing demand for our Budweiser and Bud Light aluminum bottles has helped drive growth and development in Jacksonville. We appreciate the support of our partners in Florida and thank our employees for their dedication.”
Anheuser-Busch first began producing the aluminum bottles in 2013. Jacksonville will be the second MCC facility to produce them. Anheuser-Busch has also operated a brewery in Jacksonville since 1969.
“Our employees, local leaders and the Jacksonville community have helped make this facility successful,” said Bryan Sullivan, Jacksonville plant manager, Metal Container Corporation. “Selecting Jacksonville as the next site for aluminum bottle production is a tremendous opportunity for our employees and local community as we increase production and add sustainable local jobs.”
The facility expansion is made possible through an incentive program in collaboration with the state of Florida and city of Jacksonville.
Metal Container Corporation, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch, operates seven facilities in the U.S. The operation also produces cans and lids for major U.S. soft drink companies, including PepsiCo. and Monster Beverage Corporation.
About Anheuser-Busch
For more than 160 years, Anheuser-Busch and its world-class brewmasters have carried on a legacy of brewing America's most-popular beers. Starting with the finest ingredients sourced from Anheuser-Busch's family of growers, every batch is crafted using the same exacting standards and time-honored traditions passed down through generations of proud Anheuser-Busch brewmasters and employees. Best known for its fine American-style lagers, Budweiser and Bud Light, the company's beers lead numerous beer segments and combined hold 46.4 percent share of the U.S. beer market. Budweiser and Bud Light Lime Lime-A-Rita were named Brands of the Year for the Beer and the Spirits, Malt Beverages and Wine categories, respectively, by Ace Metrix® in 2014. Anheuser-Busch is the U.S. arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev and operates 16 local breweries, 17 distributorships and 23 agricultural and packaging facilities across the United States, representing a capital investment of more than $15.9 billion. Its flagship brewery remains in St. Louis, Mo., and is among the global company's largest and most technologically capable breweries. Visitor and special beermaster tours are available at its St. Louis and five other Anheuser-Busch breweries. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.
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