Dive Brief:
Dive Insight:
As food and beverage companies dole out hundreds of millions of dollars to build new plants or add on to existing ones, investments like this are small steps in a longer journey. In this case, Anheuser-Busch, which employs more than 1,000 people in Texas, is focusing less on beer production and more on keeping its workers comfortable and the plant energy efficient.
As companies struggle to attract and retain workers, issues such as workplace safety are a logical place to invest because it pays dividends down the line through happier workers and less turnover. The latest $20 million commitment builds on the brewers’ capital expenditure program, which included an investment of $1 billion over two years in 2021.
Energy efficiency also may not make splashy headlines but lower electricity consumption in Houston can contribute to broader goals set by AB InBev to reduce the alcohol giant’s environmental footprint while saving money in the process. Last year, the brewer implemented water technology at the Houston brewery to reclaim more than 100 million gallons of water each year.
