Dreher Breweries Ltd., one of the three leading players in the Hungarian beer market and a part of Asahi Europe & International, has unveiled an ambitious HUF 100 Billion (USD 278 million) development program to enhance the sustainability and long-term prospects of Dreher Breweries. Building on previous investments, this multi-year initiative aims to revolutionize the entire beer production process, with a focus on increasing capacity and efficiency while upholding the company's strong commitment to heritage and sustainability.
The first significant milestone of the investment of more than a quarter billion dollars focuses on establishing a sustainable manufacturing chain, with approximately HUF 30 billion (USD 83 million) allocated. Beer production typically involves six major steps: brewing, fermentation, conditioning, filtration, pasteurization, and bottling. Recent investments have already impacted various processes, such as the replacement of compressors and filtration equipment (HUF 4.6 billion, USD 12.8 million) and the installation of an advanced aluminum can line to improve pasteurization and decanting efficiency (HUF 7 billion, USD 19.5 million).
From 2023 to 2026, the company's experts will concentrate on the initial milestone, including the construction of an energy center to serve all plant departments. This center will not only support capacity growth but also help achieve the company's sustainability goals. During this period, fermentation and conditioning stages in the cellars will undergo a complete overhaul, involving tank replacements and the introduction of new technologies, with a strong focus on continuous skill and knowledge development among employees.
The investments are part of the activities for the brewery’s 170th anniversary. Dreher Sörgyárak is located in Kőbánya (Budapest) and was sold to Asahi Breweries of Japan on December 13, 2016 as part of the agreements made with regulators before AB InBev was allowed to acquire SABMiller in October 2016. (inside.beer, 13.12.2016)
“The change in ownership and management in Hungary in 2017 marked a pivotal point in the brewery's evolution,” according to today’s press statement of Asahi. “Aligning with Asahi's International and European strategy, a ‘Dreher to Dreher’ legacy building philosophy was cultivated, emphasizing premiumization and harmonizing tradition with modernity in operations, in the field of product and corporate culture development, reminiscent of the nationalization in Hungary's communist era in 1948. Six years of meticulous developmental efforts have resulted in strengthening market positions, increasing employee well-being and satisfactions, fostering agile corporate operations, and improving profitability, thereby setting the stage for future investments.
“Over six years, meticulous efforts have solidified market positions, enhanced employee well-being and satisfaction, fostered agile corporate operations, and improved profitability. These achievements have paved the way for the substantial investments planned for the future.”
"Next year, as we celebrate the 170th anniversary of the establishment of Dreher Breweries, we are reminded that our rich historical tradition and the workplace spanning four generations are not merely a source of pride but also a testament to the responsibility we bear," stated Gábor Békefi, CEO of Dreher Breweries. "The confidence placed in us by Asahi Group Holdings and Asahi Europe & International, manifested through our professional and business accomplishments, enables us to undertake the most substantial investment in the Hungarian beer industry to date. If we continue to uphold the business expectations of Asahi and achieve the set milestones, then indeed, from HUF 100 billion we lay the foundation for the long-term future of the factory and our employees."
