Australia: Coopers planning A$60 mln investment in malting plant and upgrading of its Adelaide brewery

Coopers is planning to spend A$60 million upgrading its Regency Park, Adelaide brewery, Herald Sun reported on April 29.

The work would include a malting plant, extra car parking and creating better truck access, according to plans lodged with the state’s Development Assessment Commission this month.

Coopers management and the commission would not comment on the project or say how many jobs it would create.

The proposed malting plant would be a first for the South Rd site, which opened in 1998.

About 80 B-double trucks access the site daily to deliver beer around South Australia and interstate.

The company has already invested A$20 million since 2013 on a second bottling line, four new fermenters and improved truck access.

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Gary Johanson said the project would boost the state’s economy.

He said it would help ease the blow from pending job losses at Kilburn’s Bradken foundry and Holden’s Elizabeth plant.

“They (Coopers) are in a strong financial position and they are a proven brand,” Mr Johanson said.

“There would be no reason why the investment should not proceed.

“It would create some highly-skilled jobs and some of these (beer) processes are a real art form to produce the right outcome and flavours.

“It has a potential for many people to have a lifelong job in the industry.”

Coppers sold a record 77.3 million litres of beer in 2014, up 7.4 per cent on 2013.

That accounted for about 5 per cent of the Australian beer market, according to Coppers.

The company’s sales were boosted by strong growth in Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria.

Its exports also rose 7 per cent in 2014.

Pale ale accounted for about half of all the company’s beer sales.

Port Adelaide Federal MP Mark Butler welcomed Coopers planned expansion.

“We need new and developing industries to flourish,” Mr Butler said.

“This is necessary in order to provide job opportunities for people who will be transitioning out of the traditional manufacturing industries that have long underpinned South Australia’s economy.

“South Australia has a bright future and we support companies doing all they can to keep jobs and businesses here.”

In 2012, Lion Nathan announced a A$70 million upgrade of its West End brewery in Thebarton to increase production capacity.

The West End brewery will be closed for the next five weeks to allow for major works.

29 April, 2015