Heineken has committed to making a NT$13.5 billion (US$414.62 million) investment into its Taiwanese brewery over the next five years.
During a ceremony held at its brewery in Pingtung County, Heineken Taiwan managing director Jeff Wu said that the beer giant hopes to supply “made in Taiwan” products to neighboring countries to raise the profile of Taiwanese products globally.
The decision to transition from sales to manufacturing in the country was, according to local reports, fully supported by local consumers.
Heineken assumed majority ownership and management rights of the Long Chuan Zuan Co brewery in Pingtung County’s Neipu Township back in 2022 and the brewery began production in the first quarter of 2024.
Heineken Taiwan’s vice president William Lai, who was also speaking at the ceremony, told attendees that Taiwan is Heineken’s second-largest export market in the world and highlighted how Pingtung brewery was “well-positioned” to supply the East Asian market. He also emphasized how positive the investment would be to Taiwanese farmers and local agriculture.
During the ceremony, Wu and Lai also outlined Heineken’s efforts to make the Taiwanese brewery “net zero” by 2030.
Lai also mentioned Pingtung’s fertile soil and skilled farmers and noted that he hoped that by locally-sourcing brewing barley, the move would elevate the Pingtung brewery’s reputation.
Heineken recently posted an increase in sales volumes for the first quarter following price pressures hitting demand last year. The brewery reported that revenue in the first quarter was €8.2 billion, which was an increase of 7.2%, including particularly strong figures for its 0.0% and flagship lager brands.
