Anheuser-Busch Embarking on $2B Capital Expenditure Program

ST. LOUIS — Anheuser-Busch is giving its brewing operations a $2-billion shot in the arm.

Under a new major capital expenditure program, the St. Louis-based brewer will invest nearly $500 million this year and $2 billion through 2020. It is one of the largest capital investment programs in U.S. brewing history, according to the company.

Anheuser-Busch's 2017 investments include:

  • $200 million-plus for brewery and distribution projects
  • $180 million for product packaging and innovation initiatives
  • $58 million to improve and increase sustainability at our facilities

Combined with its ongoing investments since 2011, Anheuser-Busch will have invested $4.5 billion by 2020. 

"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," said João Castro Neves, president and CEO of Anheuser-Busch. "We are making these investments in our business, and the communities where we live and work, for the next 165 years."

The new capital expenditure program will expand Anheuser-Busch's U.S. operations, bolster local and state economies, and support more than 17,000 jobs in the United States, according to the company.

In addition, it will help drive forward the company's growth strategy, including through new and innovative collaborations with companies like Teavana.

"We are focusing on investments which empower our employees to do what they do best — brewing the best beer," said Dave Taylor, vice president of supply for Anheuser-Busch. "Ninety-eight percent of the beer we sell in America is proudly made here at our 21 breweries using the highest quality ingredients." 

Key individual investments in the new capital expenditure program include:

  • $82 million to enhance nationwide supply chain operations and to build new distribution facilities in Los Angeles and Columbus, Ohio.
  • $28 million at the Fort Collins, Colo., brewery to expand production of popular aluminum bottle products and increase diversity of products through installation of dry hop capabilities.
  • $18 million at the Williamsburg, Va., brewery on new technology and equipment to maintain quality, and to install new labeling machines.
  • $15 million to begin innovative cross brewing capabilities at the Fairfield, Calif., brewery through Elysian Brewing partnership, including significant updates to brewery infrastructure.
  • $12 million for the Cartersville, Ga., brewery to install a new multi-packer to diversify packaging capabilities, as well as new programming and metering devices to increase energy efficiency.
  • $13 million to the St. Louis brewery, including updates to the beechwood-aging tanks and several other initiatives that allow for production capability of new brands, as well as investments to increase sustainability. 
  • $11 million to expand aluminum bottling capabilities at the Jacksonville, Fla., brewery, as well as upgrades to improve energy efficiency.
  • $11 million to begin innovative cross brewing capabilities at the Merrimack, N.H., brewery alongside craft partners.
  • $10 million in continued investments at the Los Angeles brewery to add water efficiency and treatment capabilities.
  • $10 million to the Baldwinsville, N.Y., brewery to increase production of non-alcoholic product offerings, mainly Teavana, and to install a new multi-packer.
  • $8 million to the Houston brewery to begin brewing the popular Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus product and to expand aluminum bottle production.
  • $7 million to the Columbus, Ohio, brewery to support various improvements, including projects to conserve resources and to develop and integrate new products.

Anheuser-Busch is the U.S. arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev and operates 21 local breweries, 21 distributorships and 23 agricultural and packaging facilities across the United States. It is best known for its American-style lagers, Budweiser and Bud Light.

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