Diageo announces brewing investment plans in Ireland

Diageo is today announcing its decision to make a capital investment of €153 million in a brewing centre of excellence at St James’s Gate, Dublin. This announcement follows a major review looking at how Diageo can best ensure the long term sustainability of its brewing operations in Ireland.

This announcement will result in a rejuvenation of the historic St. James’s Gate Brewery backed by a €153 million investment. This will result in the creation of 300 construction jobs during the period of the new brewhouse construction which will get underway, subject to planning permission, in the first half of this year.

The plans for implementation at St James’s Gate over the next 2 years will be an important part of securing the long term competitiveness of Diageo’s beer business and by concentrating all brewing activity on the St James’s Gate site will underpin the company’s commitment to Ireland. The development at St James’s Gate will also provide significant employment during its construction phase.

David Gosnell, President, Diageo Global Supply; “The decision to consolidate to the St James’ Gate site is fundamental to delivering the competitiveness necessary for the long term sustainability of our brewing in Ireland. This is a significant investment and an expression of confidence by Diageo in our Irish operations.”

Welcoming the announcement, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD; “This announcement represents a huge vote of confidence in the Irish economy by a world-leading company, creates very welcome construction jobs, and secures Diageo’s brewing operations in Ireland for decades. High-tech manufacturing must be at the centre of our jobs recovery, and today’s news that the next generation of Diageo’s activities will take place at a brewing centre of excellence in Guinness’s historic home in Dublin demonstrates what is possible.

“Every pint of Guinness sold throughout Europe and the United States is currently brewed in Dublin. Many of its other successful products are also created here, and today’s announcement could pave the way for even greater things for St James’s Gate. With this month’s Action Plan for Jobs I am determined to ensure that high-growth Irish and international companies have the necessary supports to create the jobs and growth we so badly need.”

The scope of the proposed brewery development includes (subject to planning permission):

• A new brewhouse facility on the Northlands of St James’s Gate (Victoria Quay)
• The new brewhouse volume will have a capacity of approximately 7m Hectolitres.
• A new grain intake building and associated silos
• An extension of the existing Fermentation Plant to the southwest of the new brewery
• Extension to utilities generation and distribution

In 2008 the centralisation of all Diageo brewing activities at one site was announced, including the ceasing of brewing activities at Kilkenny and Dundalk by the end of 2012. These sites are now scheduled for closure in July 2013 (Dundalk) and December 2013 (Kilkenny) subject to planning and construction timelines at St James’s Gate.