Anheuser-Busch to Invest $1.5B in U.S. Operations

Anheuser-Busch announces it will invest more than $1.5 billion in its U.S. brewing, agriculture, packaging and distributing operations by 2018. These investments will support growth of its brands and reinforce the beer company's commitment to the U.S. communities where it operates through local spending and jobs. The leading beer company plans to spend an estimated $850 million on brewery and packaging expansion projects, $220 million on product innovation initiatives and $720 million in sustaining and increasing efficiency of its existing footprint. 

From 2011 through 2014, Anheuser-Busch invested more than $1 billion across U.S. operations. These capital expenditures included resources to maintain state-of-the-art brewing processes, advance environmental projects, and install equipment for new products and innovations. During this time, Anheuser-Busch introduced several new products, expanding its presence in the flavored malt beverage (FMB) and cider categories and driving consumer interest in new packaging of its core brands, including:

• Introduced the recloseable 16-ounce aluminum bottle in 2014 and 25-ounce can in 2013;
• Expanded Bud Light Lime Lime-A-Rita family to become a 2 million barrel brand produced at three breweries; and
• Rolled out new cider products including Stella Artois Cidre and Johnny Appleseed, gaining more cider market share.

Investments to modernize and add equipment at brewery and can plant facilities ensured the beer company could deliver these innovations. In addition, the U.S. facilities focused on continuous improvement and increasing efficiency.

In 2015, several projects are underway, including:

• $150 million expansion project at the St. Louis-area Metal Container Corporation facility to increase production of the popular Bud Light aluminum bottles.
• $45 million to build new can line and additional warehouse at Fort Collins brewery to produce the slim, 12-ounce can style.
• $20 million in capital investments at the Los Angeles brewery to add new water efficiency and treatment capabilities.
• $18 million in investments at the Columbus brewery, including a sustainability project that will reduce energy needs by recovering heat for use in fueling the operation.
• $12 million invested in the company's historic St. Louis brewery for various improvements, including projects to conserve resources and support new innovations.
• $11 million to develop and integrate new products, including Bud Light MIXXTAILs and Oculto across multiple breweries.

Future spending plans are based on no new or increased taxes or unforeseen events that would negatively impact Anheuser-Busch's business. The expenditures are consistent with Anheuser-Busch InBev's 2015 net capital expenditures guidance.