Tánaiste opens €40m Diageo Global Supply plant in Waterford

Enterprise Ireland Supports Flagship Project

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, today (Monday, January 12, 2004) officially opened a new €40m production facility in Waterford city on behalf of Diageo Global Supply, the company that produces Guinness.

The new state-of-the-art plant, which is supported by Enterprise Ireland, has commenced production of the `essence of Guinness' at the riverside site on Mary Street where brewing has been taking place for more than 200 years. The essence is exported to each of the 50 countries where Guinness is brewed to ensure the unique flavour and quality of draught and bottled Guinness is consistent everywhere it is consumed around the world.

The facility was secured for the city after an extensive review by Diageo Global Supply of potential locations involving both existing and new global sites and represents one of the largest private investments ever made on a single site in Waterford.

Ms Harney - who was formally welcomed to Waterford by the city's Mayor, Alderman Tom Cunningham - described the new brewery as a "remarkable facility" where Diageo has developed a key link in the supply chain for their special ingredient. She said, "The company whose investment we celebrate here today is truly global and trades in over 180 markets around the world and it is in this context that the success of Waterford and Ireland in securing this major project must be seen.

"The decision by Diageo to invest in Waterford will have been made on solid commercial grounds with little room for sentiment. Successes of this nature are hard won and the speed with which this major project has been brought to completion also reflects extremely well on all of those involved. I can recall announcing the investment and the backing of Enterprise Ireland for the work in September 2002 and could not have anticipated then that I would be back in less than 18 months to officially open this plant."

The Tánaiste also predicted that, "This type of high-end investment will copperfasten Diageo's presence in Waterford well into the 21^st century. It is telling that the investment in additional production facilities and new technology is driven by a requirement to meet the growing demand for the special ingredient, which is used to brew Guinness around the world. As sales of Guinness in far-flung locations continue to grow in the years ahead, it is to be hoped that production here in Waterford will continue to expand."

Ms Harney also noted that "the effort that has gone into completing this flagship investment project on time and on budget has not been at the expense of aesthetics. The visual impact of the site as you drive in to Waterford is hugely impressive and provides a real focal point for the city's south quays. "

Speaking at the opening, Mr Brian Duffy, Managing Director, Diageo Ireland said "The strength of Guinness across diverse global markets is one of the real success stories within Diageo and ought to be a real source of pride to all in Ireland who value the brand's firm roots here. This historic brewing site is now home to a key ingredient plant where much of what is the `essence of Guinness' will be produced for both home and overseas markets. This investment further consolidates the very strong presence of Diageo in Ireland."

Mr Duffy acknowledged the support and backing received from the Government through Enterprise Ireland for this exciting project which had also benefitted considerably from the goodwill of the local community and the city authorities in Waterford.

For his part, Mr David Gosnell, Managing Director, Diageo Global Supply described the opening as a "hugely important occasion" for Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks business.

"At full production, this plant will have the capacity to produce the special ingredient for an astounding 550 million pints of Guinness per annum. The essence produced here will be used by our own breweries and licensed brewers around the world that are involved in creating many of our famous stouts. These include Guinness Draught which we enjoy in Ireland, Europe, the US and Caribbean; and Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, which is especially popular in our African, Asia and Caribbean markets," he remarked.

ENDS

Note to Editors: Photographs from today's opening available on request from Dylan Vaughan, (087) 2569929.

For further information or comment, please call Jean Doyle, Diageo Ireland on (01) 4714015; (086) 8218412 or Brian Nolan, Bance Nolan Ltd on (051) 845403; (086) 8191730.