Namibia: SABMiller considering other areas besides Okahandja for its new brewery

World’s second-largest brewer SABMiller plc has plans to start construction of a new brewery in northern Namibia soon, Stocks&Shares.tv reported on August, 2.

The new brewery will involve a 220 000 hectolitre plant, a bottling plant for 750ml recyclable bottles and a warehouse, it is reported.

The new plant is expected to create some 150 new permanent jobs.

Cobus Bruwer, SABMiller plc’s representative in Namibia, said that, “SABMiller plc remains committed to the brewery. The plant would initially have been built in the Okahandja region of the Otjizondjupa province. This region was still the main option, but to ensure that SABMiller plc gained optimal benefit from the brewery other areas, such as Tsumeb, Oshakati and Ondangwa, were also being considered. SABMiller plc’s business plan targets the Namibian market and thus not necessarily exports. SABMiller plc’s strategy is to increase its footprint in developing countries. Two challenges are water, electricity and competition from Nambrew, which is already well established in the market. The availability of water and electricity are central to a final decision on where to build the brewery. ”

03 August, 2011