Monteiths West Coast Brewery Closes

Issue 64 23rd March 2001 - Monteiths West Coast Brewery Closes
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Issue 64 – 23rd March 2001 - MONTEITHS WEST COAST BREWERY CLOSES

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The Institute of Brewing - Symposium Auckland 26th & 27th March 2001 Waipuna Lodge, Mt Wellington, Auckland Register on the day – Starts Monday

Official Press Release **

CLOSURE OF WEST COAST BREWERY AND TRANSFER OF PRODUCTION

DB Breweries yesterday announced that from today it would transfer production from its West Coast brewery in Greymouth to its Waitemata Brewery in Auckland. This will result in the closure and decommissioning of the West Coast brewery over the next four weeks.

Brian Blake, DB Group Managing Director said that the decision had been made following a comprehensive review of brewing options across the company’s four breweries which highlighted that the cost of sustaining production at the West Coast brewery was no longer viable.

“With the increasing popularity of the Monteith’s family of premium craft beers the West Coast brewery has been running at maximum capacity. Volume has grown by 250% since 1995 and to meet continued levels of production the brewery would have to undergo a significant and costly upgrade. The investment required to increase the plant’s brewing capacity along with a major upgrade of its packaging facilities is just not commercially viable,” said Mr Blake

“While premium beers such as Monteith’s are increasing in popularity overall beer consumption in New Zealand has declined by more than 27% over the past ten years. This reduced level of beer consumption throughout New Zealand means that DB Breweries has existing excess capacity at its other breweries and we must utilize this capacity.

“This has been a difficult decision and we regret having this action, especially since West Coast brewery staff have worked so hard to create an efficient brewing operation.”

Mr Blake said the closure affects fourteen staff and their families. A consultation process with staff is now underway. All staff will be provided with the appropriate level of redundancy payments along with counseling and assistance to help them obtain other employment.

“The decision has been made to brew the Monteith’s beers at the Steinecker brewhouse within the Waitemata brewery. We have brewed trial batches of all Monteith’s beers and are very satisfied with the results. The distinct character of the Monteith’s family of premium craft brands will be sustained. Monteith’s beers have become classic ‘brews’. They have received numerous international awards with Black the most celebrated New Zealand beer in recent times.

“Manufacturing out of Auckland provides logistical advantages for our next challenge – to develop export opportunities in selected markets through the South Pacific and Asia.

“We will also continue to support the West Coast, the original home of Monteith’s though our sponsorship of the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, says Mr Blake.

MONTEITH’S LAUNCH NEW SEASONAL BEER – MONTEITH’S SAISON BIERE 5.5% alc/vol, exclusively grown variety of Saaz hops. Available throughout New Zealand from 2nd April.

THESE MEN DESERVE A MONTEITH’S West Coast drinkers are crying into their beer, mourning for one of their old-time identities – Monteiths Brewery. http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,715578a1806,FF.html

More on Monteith’s http://www.realbeer.co.nz/search/brewtour/NZ/SI/monteiths/

More on Monteith’s next issue.

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