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Family-owned Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has unveiled a new state-of-the-art facility with double the processing capacity of its current Ginger Beer Brewhouse, paving the way for domestic and export market growth with an ability to churn out 51,000 bottles of soft drink per hour.
Located at Kay McDuff Drive in Bundaberg’s south, the 22,000sqm facility has more than triple the footprint of its existing brewery on Bargara Road, which will continue to operate and remain home to the popular Bundaberg Barrel where tastings and tours will remain available to the public.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was a special guest at the unveiling of the new brewery, which cost more than $120 million to build including a $19 million grant from the Australian Government's Regional Growth Fund. A spokesperson for the company notes 48 per cent of volume is now sold overseas.
The brewery supported almost 900 jobs during delivery and will further benefit local employment by helping keep production in Bundaberg.
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks CEO John McLean describes the official launch of the Master Brewery as a landmark moment for the family-owned company.
"The brewery means production of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks will remain in the town where our journey began and continue to benefit local suppliers, farmers and other direct and indirect partners," says McLean, the son-in-law of co-founders Cliff and Lee Fleming.
"This is just phase one of the development, with multiple further phases to be rolled out as needed, reinforcing our commitment to investing in global infrastructure to meet customer demand long into the future.
“From humble beginnings in 1968, we have built an iconic Australian brand that now exports to more than 60 countries and the opening of our new Master Brewery means the business is future-proofed for the next generations.”
With a bottling line speed of 850 bottles per minute, the brewery can produce 33,000 cases each day on a single bottling line and hold 48,000 litres of brew in a single tank.
“Bundaberg Brewed Drinks is always adapting and this project is no different,” says McLean.
“Across more than five decades, we have developed a unique brewing process that delivers a product that is loved by our customers and our new Master Brewery adds another layer to that rich history."
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