International Breweries Plc to commission $250m Gateway Plant

FOREMOST brewer, International Breweries PLC (IB Plc), is set to commission its $250 million state-of-the-art breweries situated at Km3 Flowergate Industrial Scheme, Shagamu-Abeokuta Expressway, Ogun State on Tuesday, August 28.

Giving the importance of this event, His Excellency, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, is expected to perform the commissioning of the biggest brewery in West Africa.

Other dignitaries expected at the event are the Hon. Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, Hon. Minster for Budget and Planning, Mr Udo Udoma, CEO, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar Onyema, and members of the diplomatic corps. The Board of IB Plc and the global CEO of AB InBev, Mr Carlos Brito will lead this celebration.

The new brewery will be the Company’s largest plant within the group in Africa, outside of South Africa.

This will have a significant multiplier impact on the value chain within Ogun State, its environs, provide direct and indirect employment, manufacture global brands locally and support Nigeria’s foreign direct investment aspirations.

IB Plc is a proud part of the AB InBev group, the world’s largest brewer. The Company is extremely proud of its national treasures – Trophy, Hero, Betamalt, Grandmalt, Castle lite, Eagle lager, and the recently launched global brand, Budweiser.

Managing Director, IB Plc, Annabelle Degroot, speaking about the inauguration, described the plant as a major step towards the company’s strategic goal of producing high-quality drinks locally.

“International Breweries Plc is a brand that places a premium on quality. Bearing this in mind, we will spare no expense or effort in ensuring that Nigerians are treated to the best traditions in brewing, with outstanding recipes, superior ingredients, innovation and world-class techniques.

The outcome is to ensure satisfaction and enjoyment for our consumers,” she said.

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Degroot added that the plant would provide a great opportunity to engage qualified locals who are excited about the prospects of forging a career with the brand, while thousands of both direct and indirect jobs would be created.

“One of the objectives of the company is to create job opportunities for the people of Ogun state as well as Nigerians in general. The plant will also be instrumental in empowering farmers as most of the raw materials required will be sourced locally. This will, in turn, contribute to the economic development of the country”, she added.

On his part, Otunba Michael Daramola, the Corporate Affairs Director, noted that establishment of the plant in Nigeria is in further recognition of the corollary between having prestigious brands and a befitting world-class setting.

The plant which is the company’s fourth brewery in Nigeria, after those in Ilesa, Onitsha, and Port-Harcourt demonstrates Nigeria’s capacity to attract foreign direct investment, with the attendant impact on socio-economic growth and development, Otunba Daramola said, noting that the plant will support the development and growth of Ogun state while increasing its internally generated revenue.