Jamaica: Red Stripe launching beer production expansion project

Red Stripe will launch its $2.2 billion cellars expansion for beer production, known as the CERS project, on March 28, the Loop Jamaica reported.

The project represents a significant investment in modernizing the brewing operations, satisfying growing demand, and expanding Jamaica's manufacturing industry.

The expansion will increase beer production by 34 per cent, improve operational sustainability, boost efficiency and safety and mitigate hygiene risks, Red Stripe said.

The investment will also strengthen the local supply chain, creating direct and indirect economic opportunities, the company added.

“The launch of the CERS Project is a significant milestone for Red Stripe. It represents improvements in production and operational efficiency and our foray into a new age of greater sustainable manufacturing,” asserted Red Stripe Managing Director Luis Prata.

Prata continued, “When we began the CERS journey in 2019, we knew the final results would be ground-breaking for Jamaica’s manufacturing sector. We have proven that a Jamaican company can achieve world-class efficiency and growth by further modernising our operations. We are proud of Red Stripe’s legacy of excellence and have proven that by doubling down on our investment in Jamaica.”

As a proponent of environmental sustainability, Red Stripe said it is proud of the solutions that the project’s scope will bring.

“We are charged with more than just boosting production. As a team that pays close attention to sustainability, this operational update will further reduce the plant’s environmental footprint. Our ultimate goal has always been and will continue to be, maximising our positive impact on the society in which we operate,” added Prata.

Along with successfully replacing and extending the cellars’ capacity, the new plant configuration project involves the installation of outdoor tanks that will remove the presence of CO2 and Ammonia in the enclosed areas.

To achieve a successful project completion, the company partnered with several local suppliers to support the installation of tanks and piping systems, upgrade automation systems, pilot civil engineering and demolition, among other tasks.

Prata concluded, “All signs show that Jamaica is on an upward trajectory, and this expansion is our way of confirming Red Stripe’s continued confidence in the local business landscape. Red Stripe has stood as a symbol of Jamaican excellence for over 100 years. This move to further improve our operations is evidence of what a Jamaican company fuelled by Jamaican pride can accomplish.”

28 March, 2023