Anheuser-Busch InBev to $300m in US manufacturing sites
Anheuser-Busch InBev has unveiled plans to invest $300m in its manufacturing operations across the US this year.
In a statement, AB InBev, which owns brands including Michelob Ultra, Busch Light, and Bud Light brands, told Just Drinks that investment will be distributed across its facilities in the US.
Without disclosing the amount of investment each facility would see, it said the new capital 'will be used to continue to enhance operations, advance technology, and meet evolving consumer demand'.
AB InBev said it has allocated nearly $2bn to its 100 facilities across the US in the last five years.
When asked why the company is investing this sum across its facilities now, the brewing major said: 'Investing in our US facilities is crucial to our long-term strategy and commitment to American manufacturing.
'By modernising operations and enhancing technical training, we future-proof our business, ensure the sustainability of American jobs, and position ourselves to meet future market demands while maintaining leadership in the brewing industry.'
AB InBev's investment in local operations also coincides with the new tariffs imposed by the US government on the goods entering the country.
US Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer said: 'Anheuser-Busch has been a shining example of what 'Made in America' means, and their latest investment of $300m builds on their longtime commitment to grow our workforce and expand US manufacturing.
'They are demonstrating exactly what it means to put American workers first, setting a standard for other companies to follow."
In the first quarter of 2025, AB InBev reported group revenue of $13.62bn, a 6.3% decrease compared to last year.
The company's normalised EBIT declined 1.5% to $3.58bn but profit for the period surged 71.31% $2.54bn.
In the three months, AB InBev's US revenue dropped 5.1%, though its revenue per hectolitre rose 1.7% due to revenue management and premiumisation, the group said.
Sales-to-retailers decreased by 5.4%. AB InBev said those sales were "estimated to have outperformed the industry" but were "negatively impacted by adverse weather and Easter shipment phasing".
Sales-to-wholesalers declined by 6.7%, impacted by one less selling day versus the first quarter of 2024. EBITDA declined by 1.7%
"Our beer portfolio was led by Michelob Ultra and Busch Light, which were the number one 1 and number two 2 volume share gainers in the industry respectively, while our RTD portfolio delivered strong double-digit volume growth, led by Cutwater and Nütrl," it added.
In a note to clients today, Robert Moskow, an equity analyst covering AB InBev for US investment bank TD Cowen, said: "Management says they will increase marketing spending in the US to fuel their 'momentum' while also touting $300m of capital projects.
"The materiality of the increase is a little vague, as is the motive. It's quite possible that they are simply trying to keep volume from further declining in an increasingly challenged US beer category. However, we view the announcement as a net positive for the competitiveness of their US beer business and the brands that will get the support."
"Anheuser-Busch InBev to $300m in US manufacturing sites" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand.
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