The Anheuser-Busch Metal Container Corp. plant in Arnold will increase its manufacturing capabilities this year.
Anheuser-Busch recently announced it will spend more than $20 million on improvements at the Arnold canning plant, 42 Tenbrook Industrial Park, and its St. Louis brewery.
In a statement, the company said it is focusing on upgrading brewery and packaging equipment to improve the production of Michelob Ultra, which is its top selling beer.
An Anheuser-Busch spokesperson said the company is upgrading manufacturing equipment and capabilities, and making other improvements at the Arnold canning plant. The spokesperson said some of the improvements have already started, and the work is expected to be completed this year.
The company did not say how much it will spend on the Arnold canning plant improvements.
The more than $20 million the company is spending on the Arnold canning plant and St. Louis brewery is part of a $600 million investment the company is making in its U.S. operations.
“We’ve proudly called St. Louis and the state of Missouri home for more than 165 years, and our commitment to strengthening this community and making a positive impact across the state has never been stronger,” Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth said in a statement. “Investments at this scale in our facilities and our people ensure that our St. Louis brewery remains at the heart of Anheuser-Busch, supporting continued growth and driving economic prosperity in our hometown for decades to come.”
Anheuser-Busch will open a new technical skills training center at the St. Louis brewery to improve employees’ skills in mechanical, electrical, digital and operational areas. The company plans to train more than 90 percent of its manufacturing workers over the next five years, according to the statement.
“I’m proud to see Anheuser-Busch’s continued commitment to investing in the St. Louis region with this announcement,” Gov. Mike Kehoe said in the statement from Anheuser-Busch. “With policies like the American Beer Act, Missouri leads in providing an incredible environment for the brewers and manufacturers that deliver lasting opportunity for hardworking families and economic growth for the state and nation.”
The Arnold canning plant is one of eight Metal Container Corp. (MCC) facilities across the country. It opened in 1979.
The Arnold facility was the first site to produce aluminum bottles, and it currently serves as the only Anheuser-Busch facility that produces 16-ounce aluminum bottles, the company spokesperson said.