Anheuser-Busch invests US$21M in California facilities
The investment will upgrade Southern California production facilities while adding technical training as Anheuser-Busch targets greater manufacturing capacity and workforce development.
USA – Anheuser-Busch is investing US$21 million in its Los Angeles and Mira Loma facilities in California to expand production capacity for Budweiser, Michelob ULTRA and Cutwater while strengthening its manufacturing workforce.
The investment forms part of the brewer’s Brewing Futures initiative, under which Anheuser-Busch says it is investing $600 million in its US operations during 2025 and 2026.
The latest investment will support upgrades to canning and bottling operations, increase rail capacity and strengthen transportation and route-to-market capabilities at the two Southern California facilities. The company also expects the investment to support production of Phorm Energy.
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth said the investment would strengthen the company’s Southern California operations while supporting local manufacturing employment.
“As a proud American manufacturer, investments at this scale help fuel economic growth, create and sustain high-quality jobs, and reinforce our long-term commitment to the communities where we live and work,” Whitworth said.
Anheuser-Busch has operated its Los Angeles brewery in Van Nuys since 1954 and says it has invested $184 million in its Los Angeles and Mira Loma facilities since 2021. Hundreds of employees work across the two sites, with the Los Angeles brewery producing more than 50 Anheuser-Busch brands.
Alongside equipment and infrastructure upgrades, Anheuser-Busch plans to open a technical skills training centre at its Los Angeles brewery.
The centre will provide training in electrical and mechanical systems associated with brewery equipment as part of the company’s wider effort to develop its US manufacturing workforce.
Anheuser-Busch plans to establish 15 technical training centres nationwide and aims to upskill more than 90% of its US manufacturing workforce over the next five years.
The company said the investment reflects its continuing focus on domestic manufacturing, facility modernisation and workforce development.
The investment follows growth reported by parent company AB InBev in the second quarter. Sales increased 5.6%, while total volumes rose 0.9%. Beer volumes increased 1.1%, while non-beer volumes declined 1.1%.
Revenue generated by Corona, Stella Artois and Michelob ULTRA increased 17%, 19% and 21%, respectively.
Anheuser-Busch said the Southern California investment will expand production capabilities while supporting transportation infrastructure and workforce development.
The brewer’s investment programme also includes plans to use upgraded facilities and technical training to support future manufacturing needs across its US network.
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