Guinness Nigeria, has revealed that its ongoing drive to expand its operations, has seen it?? invest $225 million (N55.billion), into its Ogba and Benin breweries in the country.
Adebayo Alli, capacity expansion project lead, Guinness Nigeria, disclosed? this? in Lagos, saying Guinness Nigeria, along with its UK parent company in global premium drinks business, Diageo Plc, have extended commitment to the Nigerian economy by expanding capacity of its brewing operations.
According to him, on completion of the expansion project, Guinness Nigeria would have created additional 200 permanent jobs for Nigerians and makes the plant one of the largest in the Diageo Plc Group.
“This expansion is a great achievement for us at Guinness Nigeria. The new plant is fully automated, attesting to the quality of products and is backed by an equally excellent workforce.
The increased demand for our iconic brands such as Guinness and Harp, requires us to invest in our breweries and infrastructure. We are delighted that our company is creating a significant number of jobs for Nigerians upon completion of the project,’’ Alli said.
He further noted that the expansion is doubling the company’s capacity from 3.5 million to 7.5 million hectolitres, to meet the growing demand for its products.
‘‘The factory is fitted with some of the best production, packaging and storage facilities adding with effluent treatment facilities which are some of the best in the industry, making by-products and wastes from the factory harmless to the environment,” he pointed out.
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 (Lagos State), Benin City (Edo State) and Aba (Abia State).