NB Plc Outlines Activities For 75th Anniversary, Attains 56% Raw Material, 100% Packaging In Backward Integration

Nigerian Breweries Plc (NB Plc) has outlined a number of robust and exciting activities celebrate the company’s 75th-anniversary of business operation as a Nigerian company that has injected about $114 million in capital investments and expansion projects in recent times.

Making the announcement in Lagos at the media parley, the board and management of the company led by the Chairman, Otunba Kolawole Jamodu and the new Managing Director/CEO, Hans Essaadi, disclosed that the company as has attained 56% and 100% in raw materials and packaging respectively, in line with the federal government’s policy of backward integration.

In line with the policy, it was revealed that Nigeria Breweries Plc has invested over N78 billion in the cultivation of raw materials in the country in the past five years to boost job creation.

According to NB’s Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs Sade Morgan, the company had invested N78 billion in cultivating locally sourced materials as well as sorghum and cassava value chain through commercial purchase and smallholder farming in the last five years.

The newly appointed Managing Director, who was meeting the media for the first time, revealed that the company intended to invest significantly in capacity extension to meet its objectives and rising demands in the market.

“We have grown with Nigeria and it is clear that moving forward, we will continue to invest significantly in capacity extension to meet our objectives as well as demands in the market.

“We should expect much of these extensions in the east and northern parts of the country and our majority shareholder, Heineken, is committed to this and this is good as it will bring direct and indirect job opportunities for Nigerians,” Essaadi said.

While formally unveiling the company’s 75th-anniversary logo as part of activities to mark the landmark event slated to begin on November 16, 2021 the company emphasized that for more than seven decades of existence of the iconic entity, it has contributed immensely to the growth of every facet of the economy through its diverse projects and initiatives.

According to Morgan, Nigerian Breweries Plc has maintained its pride of place in the mind of consumers, across generations, through timeless innovation, brand relevance and consistent strategy.

“One word we can use to describe Nigerian Breweries, I would say is timeless; and timeless in the sense that it talks to how we have been able to keep up for ages right from where Nigeria was coming from and where Nigeria is going to. We have continued to stay relevant, relatable and connected to our consumers, shareholders and that is really the timeless essence of everything that we do.”

While assuring consumers of its determination to continue to create delightful and refreshing experiences through its various brands that have been reckoned to have provided a satisfactory sensation for consumers, the company expressed gratitude for their unflinching loyalty, which have been a tremendous inspiration and encouragement to the brand.

“I would like to assure all our consumers that as we mark this anniversary, the best is yet to come. We have the support of passionate staff, stakeholders and shares that remain fully energized to delight Nigerians for another 75 years. We are grateful to everyone, our consumers, investors, staff, government and media for their continuous support over the last 75 years.

“Our customers, young, old, male, female, spread all over the country, are the ones who gave us a reason to wake up early to delight and excite Nigerians. They have provided the inspiration behind some of our greatest brands and have rewarded our labour with patronage and support. We can’t thank them enough for this.”

According to the leading beer company, the efforts of its highly trained workforce and the support of its shareholders and partners have culminated in its success over the years.

“The company has prioritized import substitution and accretion for foreign reserve with N78 billion in investing and cultivating locally sourced materials in the last 5 years and N20 billion in sorghum value in 2021 through commercial purchase and smallholder farming.”

The activities to mark the 75 years anniversary of the pioneer Nigerian beer company include consumer activation, sponsorships, celebrity activities from November and beyond, media campaigns, TV interviews, press ads, social media campaigns, commemorative 75th-anniversary label on Star beer bottle, launch of new NB website among others.

Nigerian Breweries was incorporated in 1946 with the contract signing between UAC and Heineken. In 1954 the company reached the milestone of one million cartons, refreshing over 60% of Nigerians’ lager beer consumption.

Till date, the company has continued to solidify its presence in the Nigerian beverage industry through increased investments and production of premium brands like Life lager beer, Goldberg, Legend Extra Stout, Maltina and others.