Jamaica’s world-famous beer producer Red Stripe is pouring $2.2-billion into an expansion project that it says is a demonstration of the company’s commitment to modernising its brewing operations to satisfy growing demand.

The Cellars Expansion for Red Stripe (CERS) project will be officially launched at the company’s Spanish Town Road brewery today, with a ceremony and ribbon-cutting at which Prime Minister Andrew Holness will deliver the keynote address.

Red Stripe explained that the investment will facilitate a 34 per cent expansion in beer production, improve operational sustainability, boost efficiency and safety, and further mitigate hygiene risks. The increase in storage capacity will also strengthen the local supply chain, subsequently creating direct and indirect economic opportunities.

“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,” said Red Stripe Managing Director Luis Prata.

“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.

“The CERS investment symbolises Red Stripe’s confidence in Jamaica’s improved investment climate, optimistic macroeconomic forecast, and increases in consumer confidence. Furthermore, the expansion will boost company revenues and benefit the broader society through additional tax contributions,” added Prata.

According to Prata, as a proponent of environmental sustainability Red Stripe 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, and pilot civil engineering and demolition, among other tasks.

“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,” declared Prata.