The Genesee Brewery, Rochester,
N.Y., will finish installing its
new 24-ounce can production line next month and will add 12 new positions to
operate the line, the company said.
The $3.5 million equipment investment will produce 24-ounce
single-serve versions of Genesee, Genny Light,
Genesee Ice, Genesee Cream Ale and The Original Honey Brown Lager at speeds up
to 300 cans per minute and more than 30,000 cases a day, the company said.
“Our investment in a 24-ounce can
production line opens many doors for the brewery,” said Kenn Yartz, chief
operating officer of North American Breweries, which owns The Genesee Brewery,
in a statement. “We now have the capabilities to produce one of the best selling
products: single-serve cans and to further develop our relationships with
contract brewing partners.”
The company began installing the
line in May, and the first run is scheduled to begin in mid-September. Genesee
Brewery’s line of 24-ounce cans should be available in stores after Oct. 1, the
company said. The company is partnering with London-based Rexam PLC to
manufacture its five varieties of 24-ounce cans.
Genesee Brewery also is looking to
capitalize on its improving convenience store sales, which are up more than 20
percent, it said.
“We also plan on introducing the
24-ounce can to grocery stores and other retailers, in order to take advantage
of a strong customer interest in this product size,” said Jason Drewniak, brand
manager for Genesee and Genny Light, in a
statement.
