Red Stripe has seen its capacity increased by more than 30 per cent following the commissioning of new tanks in November 2022, and is pushing to achieve even greater production capacity with the expansion of its cellars.

The $2.2-billion Cellars Expansion for Red Stripe (CERS) project was officially unveiled on Tuesday at the company’s Spanish Town Road, St Andrew, brewery. Red Stripe’s supply chain director Nele Vanbenden explained that the project, which was embarked on in 2018, has seen a rocky journey due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. She explained that the changes in the way Red Stripe operated was well needed, after experiencing challenges for some time with the existing horizontal beer tanks which demanded more water, energy and chemicals as well as workers having to endure the difficult process of cleaning the tanks.

Vanbenden further explained that the tanks were in an enclosed area, which created a higher risk for health and safety. As demand for Red Stripe brews steadily increased, the company had to increase its beer production, but noted that the solution had to involve a system that would also reduce the company’s environmental footprint.

“So this project, the scope included installing six new 5,000-hectolitre fermented storage tanks, and we also increased the utilities capactity for our CO2 recovery and we also increased our cooling plant to be able to manage the upgrades,” Vanbenden said.

The project involved 35 containers coming to Red Stripe with all its plant and machineries. The company had up to 150 contractors for installation and civil works, but the supply chain director emphasised that it was heavily supported by locally based contractors. Red Stripe acquired the funds from both local and overseas investors who were on-board with the company’s plans of modernising its procurement phase. Each of the new tanks can now hold up to 1.5 billion bottles of beer.

“We are very proud of this achievement and look forward to even bigger and bolder moves that will keep this company moving in the future, producing the best-quality beer for our consumers,” Vanbenden said.

The upgrade to the facility also included its Red Stripe House offices.

Managing director of Red Stripe Luis Prata said upgrades to workspaces and employee facilities were completed at an additional cost of J$250 million.

“The work to modernise the space follows the renovation of our multipurpose sports and canteen facilities which we did two years ago at the height of the pandemic with the support of 20 Jamaica businesses,” Prata said, while reminding the audience that Red Stripe remains committed to its employees, consumers and community.

In highlighting Red Stripe’s contribution to job creation, Prata revealed that for the Red Stripe House upgrade, over 10 Jamaican businesses with over 90 individuals were engaged to complete the work.

“As a part of the Heineken family we wanted to ensure that our support teams have a place to work which live up to our standard and our values,” he said.

According to Prata, the newly upgraded Red Stripe House features workspaces that foster creativity, collaboration and innovation, all of which he says are important elements as the company works towards driving greater productivity and efficiency.

“It’s about building our employer brand and reaffirming our reputation as the coolest place to work.” As the new Red Stripe House was unveiled, work was advancing inside the brewery to execute a major cooling upgrade in the company’s main packaging hall which he says the company is looking forward to making production teams more comfortable and cooler while working.

Anthony Hylton, Member of Parliament for St Andrew West Central, also in attendance and praised the company for its significant investment addressing real world issues affecting the company and finding solutions.

“This project speaks to what it means to build resiliency in your organisation,” he said. He also praised the organisation for reducing its carbon footprint and addressing environmental, social and goverance issues.

“We recognise all of those, we commend you and will say as a Member of Parliament, I’m proud to have you as my corporate citizen,” said Hylton. He further expressed that this is a standard set for all of Jamaica, for the manufacturing sector and for the investment community.