I raised a glass to the success of a major Ribble Valley employer with Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden as we opened a multi-million-pound facility.
AB InBev’s Samlesbury Brewery unveiled a new wastewater treatment plant, a £7.8m investment by Budweiser Brewing Group as part of its commitment to improve sustainability and innovation.
The facility treats wastewater to produce biogas, which is then reinjected into the brewery’s energy system and can reduce gas consumption by up to eight per cent.
I was pleased that Kate was able to join me at the official opening, which was attended by staff and suppliers, where we cut the ribbon before taking a tour of the brewing facilities and packaging department (a real Inside the Factory moment as cans and bottles flew round on conveyor belts).
At the end of the tour, we got the chance to have a go at pulling a pint of Stella in the brewery’s bar, and I was pretty pleased with my efforts!
The brewery, which employs about 500 people, has continued to invest in its facilities, including a £45m investment in 2021, demonstrating confidence and long-term commitment to the area.
This new facility will dramatically strengthen it as a sustainable brewer, adding to its other measures around packaging and emissions, and it’s great to see this longstanding business go from strength to strength.
