Guinness Nigeria Plc is collaborating with its United Kingdom parent company, Diageo Plc, to invest ?225million (N55 billion) to expand the capacity of its brewing operations.
The formal announcement of the investment came on the heels of the recent opening of a new brew house in the company’s Ogba-Lagos brewery which was commissioned in February by the UK Minister for Africa, Henry Bellingham.
The managing director of the company, Mr. Devlin Hainsworth, said the expansion project has become imperative to meet the growing demands of consumers of Guinness brands.
Hainsworth noted that the investment would include the upgrading of existing facilities as well as increase the brewing capacity of both Benin and Ogba Breweries, adding that on completion of the expansion project, the company would create an additional 200 permanent jobs for Nigerians.
“Nigeria is an exciting and vibrant place to do business, and the increased demand for our brands such as Guinness and Harp requires us to invest in our breweries and infrastructure. “
The President, Diageo Africa, Mr. Nick Blazquez, accompanying UK Prime Minister, David Cameron to Nigeria, said “Diageo is proud of its history and the heritage that Guinness Nigeria has with over 60 years brewing experience in the country.
Blazquez noted that Guinness Nigeria has become a flagship in Nigeria so much that Nigerians take pride in the fact that their country is the second biggest Guinness market in the world with ‘Nigerian’ Guinness now being exported to the United Kingdom.
He said the investment underscores Diageo’s confidence in Nigeria and its people and that it was an affirmation of its belief in the country’s future as a growing economy and prosperous nation.
Guinness Nigeria Plc was established in 1950, making it one of the oldest companies in Nigeria. Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1965, and with over 75,000 shareholders, it is also one of the foremost quoted companies in Nigeria.
The company built its first brewery in Ikeja in 1962, and currently has facilities in Ogba, Benin City and Aba.
Guinness Nigeria Plc is a member company of Diageo Plc; which is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange.
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