The US division of Anheuser-Busch InBev will up the production capacity at its brewery in Los Angeles thanks to a US$16m investment.
The spend will boost the production of 25oz (71cl) cans “to meet increasing consumer demand”, according to Anheuser-Busch. Also set to benefit is the group’s ‘beyond beer’ portfolio with packaging capabilities poised to increase for the likes of the Cutwater and Nutrl spirits-based RTDs.
The brewery is one of the division’s 14 facilities in California and 120 across the US.
“These investments equip us with the unique opportunity to … innovate in new ways that meet consumer needs,” said brewery GM Eric Gutierrez. “We’ve been a proud member of the Los Angeles community for nearly 70 years and this ongoing investment not only boosts the local economy but fosters growth for Anheuser-Busch … .”
Earlier this week, the unit announced its intention to extend the Michelob Ultra stable to include an alcohol-free version of the brand, which has been AB InBev’s main growth driver in the US in recent years.
In results from the first six months of this year, reported last month, AB InBev’s sales in North America fell 5% on the corresponding period in 2023. In the US specifically, Q2’s flat sales performance (-0.6%) compared favourably to the 9% slump recorded in the first quarter.
