Anheuser-Busch, the St. Louis-based subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, announced 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 company says. The 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, it adds.
"Our beers lead their categories because we hold quality at the center of every beer we produce and invest in our brands through talented people, new innovation and advanced operations," said Joao Castro Neves, president of Anheuser-Busch InBev North America, in a statement. "We have demonstrated commercial success from recent investments which increases opportunity for future projects. When we make investments in our local communities it is good for all stakeholders, including employees, local legislators and community leaders – they are critical to our success."