Labatt Breweries of Canada, since 1995 owned by Interbrew what later evolved in the world’s largest brewer AB InBev, today announced a continuation of its CAD 119 million capital program. CAD 69.2 million will go directly into Labatt's Edmonton (Alberta) brewery to expand production capacity and capability and meet the consumers’ changing needs and tastes.
The Edmonton brewery investment will support new technology, equipment, product lines and upgrades to the brewhouse and control room. It will also fund 30,000 square feet of new warehouse space and a 30,000 square-foot ready-to-drink building to support expanded brewing type and capacity.
The investment in warehouse expansion, a new ready-to-drink building, equipment and training addresses the burgeoning demand for ready-to-drink beverages, which represents 30 per cent of beverage alcohol category growth. This means ready-to-drink brands like Mike's Hard Lemonade, Palm Bay, Okanagan Cider, American Vintage and in the near future, NUTRL Vodka Soda, will be produced locally in Edmonton along with other leading beer brands like Budweiser and Bud Light.
This investment will help to create 25 local jobs in Edmonton.
Built in 1963, Labatt's Edmonton brewery has undergone four major capital investment programs since 2015. Today, the location employs more than 190 people. In addition to capital investments, Labatt has supported Alberta communities through its Disaster Relief Program, delivering canned drinking water during the Calgary floods and Fort McMurray wildfires. This past year, the Edmonton brewery was one of many Labatt breweries across Canada that shifted production to make hand sanitizer in support of partners at local restaurants and Food Banks.
These investments are part of an ongoing provincewide capital investment totaling CAD 119 million over 2019-2022 that will also support operations beyond the brewery.
"We're proud of our history in Alberta with almost 60 years of brewing beer in Edmonton and serving Albertans across the province," says Kyle Norrington, President of Labatt Breweries of Canada. "As the province continues its post-pandemic recovery, this investment is one more step in the right direction, with new jobs, economic growth and the type of innovation that continues to make Alberta a great place to live, work and do business."
"Today, our Alberta team helps us serve 3,000 retail outlets, bars and restaurants with products that come from 144 suppliers across the province," says Peter Delamont, General Manager of Labatt Edmonton Brewery. "We are truly Made in Alberta and we're proud to be able to contribute to our communities and to our province's economy through this investment."
"It's great to be at Labatt's Edmonton Brewery with more exciting news about Alberta's economic recovery. Labatt is investing CAD 119 million into Alberta, with CAD 69 million of that right here in our capital region - to buy new equipment, technology and upgrades. This is a vote of confidence in Alberta's recovery, creating dozens of new jobs right here in Edmonton, and even more across the province through economic impacts. This is more proof that Alberta's Recovery Plan is powering our economy and getting Albertans back to work," says Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta.