Millions pumped into Guinness packing HQ
DRINKS giant Diageo has announced it is making £16m of investment in its beer packing operation in Runcorn as it looks to support the growth of its Guinness Draught and Guinness Zero products.
The funding is part of a £40.5m outlay with the remaining funding going to its Belfast site.
A Diageo spokeswoman said the Runcorn cash will “significantly” upgrade its bottling line and expand its warehousing capacity.
In Belfast, the investment will more than double its canning production by converting warehouse space into a “state-of-the-art” packaging line capable of producing 72,000 cans per hour.
Diageo said the funding package is intended to meet global demand for Guinness products from domestic and export markets, while supporting quicker production and product innovation as well as enhancing “efficiency and competitiveness”.
Construction is due to begin immediately with capacity at both facilities expected to come online in 2023.
Aidan Crowe, Diageo’s operations director for beer, said: “This expansion is a significant investment in the development of our packaging facilities.
“The projects in Belfast and Runcorn will support our growth ambitions, helping us to deliver end-to-end product innovation, and reinforce our agility to meet demand and provide excellent service to our customers around the world.”
Stewart Hancock, Diageo Runcorn operations manager, said: “This is an exciting e time for our site in Runcorn as we invest in our business to support the growth of our business.
“We contribute considerably to the local economy in Runcorn and the £16m investment will further support our supply chains and local communities.”
Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for
Weaver Vale, which covers the Guinness plant, said: “Diageo’s bottling and packaging plant in Runcorn is a significant part of the local economy and it is great news to see British businesses like Diageo investing in and expanding their facilities in the local area.”
Diageo’s Guinness site is on Whitehouse Industrial Estate in Runcorn.