Molson Coors has taken the decision in response to the success of premium and world lager brands such as Madrí Excepcional, while Carling remains the UK’s biggest beer brand.
Madrí Excepcional was the country’s fastest-growing major beer brand in both volume and value sales in the fourth quarter of 2023, while it recently launched in Canada and Bulgaria.
The £100m plan includes improvements to brewing capacity and packaging capabilities at its largest facilities in Burton-on-Trent and Tadcaster, which produce beer for Molson Coors in the UK and across Western Europe.
In Burton, Molson Coors plans to install a 24-tonne high-speed can filler capable of filling 120,000 cans per hour, while it also intends to upgrade the packaging keg line at both Tadcaster and Aspall Cyder House.
Additionally, Molson Coors is investing in its Sharps’ Brewery in Rock, Cornwall, to support new and existing ale brands like Doom Bar, Solar Wave Hazy and Twin Coast.
“The investment allows the company to grow its brewing and packaging capacity at a time when the continued strong performance of its brands requires enhanced capabilities,” said Fraser Thomson, chief supply chain officer for Western Europe at Molson Coors.
“This plan is an investment in our future, giving our people and our brands the tools to fulfil our potential in the U.K. market while making strong progress against our sustainability targets.”
While the investment and infrastructure upgrades have been designed to improve capabilities and make the group’s network more efficient, it will also play a role in supporting the company’s commitment to reaching net zero in the UK by 2035.
Thomson added: “This is a landmark moment in our history as we evolve to meet the demands of our growing portfolio and bring new innovations in the years ahead, while continuing to reduce the impact our business has on the environment.”
In other news, Samworth Brothers has acquired The Real Wrap Co for an undisclosed fee.