Miller, a subsidiary of South African brewer SABMiller, said on January 2 it would close its Tumwater, Washington brewery and cut more than 350 jobs in order to improve its operating costs, Reuters reported.

“The company, which employs 400 people at the plant which is located near Seattle, said that it cut 350 union jobs but would offer some of its 50 salaried workers other positions. It would require significant capital investment to update the plant, which is the smallest of the company's seven breweries, to brew Miller trademark beers, the company said. Miller said it plans to phase production to other breweries by July this year when it expects to close the plant.”

Beers produced at the Tumwater brewery include Hamm's, Henry Weinhard's, Mickey's, and Olde English 800.

10 January, 2003