Heineken invests 9.3 million euros in expansion in France | Progresiv
Heineken will invest 9.3 million euros in a new packaging line at its brewery near Strasbourg, in France. The site at Schiltigheim – in the eastern region of Alsace – will benefit from an expansion to its existing production capacity of more than 450,000 hectoliters per year. The 9.3 million euros investment, to be made throughout this year, will support the Dutch brewer’s volume growth in France and support further innovation and diversification across its Heineken, Fischer, Edelweiss and Desperados brands. 
The line extension will be capable of producing 40,000 extra bottles an hour and create 14 new positions from April, taking the total number of staff employed at the site to over 200. The new equipment will be operational in early 2018.
“The site, which currently has 189 employees, has attracted the group’s confidence after being transformed in recent years – in particular towards greater flexibility in supporting innovation,” said Stéphane Crépel, who heads the brewery for Heineken.
Since 2010, the company’s three production sites in France – the plant at Schiltigheim, as well as two further facilities in Mons-en-Baroeul and Marseille – have benefitted from investment totalling more than 100 million euros.
The move has meant that 92% of Heineken’s beers consumed in France are now made in France. (www.foodbev.com)
