US major Molson Coors has announced plans to invest £175m on its UK-based breweries, in a major boost to the struggling local industry. The group has four plants in the UK, which employ 1,100 staff through brewing and supply chain operations.

The group said it will put in an extra £15m per year for the next five years to develop its site in Burton-on-Trent, which is the UK’s Britain’s biggest brewery. It will also invest £5m on the Sharp’s brewery in Cornwall, as well on its other two local sites. The spending will see the Burton site being modernised to help save more water and energy, with improvements in its packaging operation also being made.

Mark Hunter, head of Molson’s operations in the UK and Ireland, noted: “The beer industry is under great strain with breweries closing down and one fifth of the UK beer market disappearing in just six years. This major investment is recognition that we have to keep on modernising to ensure that we remain competitive in a tough market place.” He went on: “Brewing is a significant part of Britain’s manufacturing base and of our manufacturing heritage. The brewing industry remains under pressure and is likely to be without government help for the foreseeable future.”

Article Taken from Kam City News