Plzensky Prazdroj has started in Plzen construction of a new brewing house worth CZK 300m, making it possible to produce up to three million hectolitres of beer Pilsner Urquell a year.
In a press confrence, the brewery manager said the strategic aim of the brewery was to increase the production of beer Pilsner Urquell to be listed among the five world’s biggest premium brands by the year 2010.
The reconstruction and extension of the current brewing house will be a four phace process over three years. The first two phases will be complete by the end of May 2004 and include a new building, new equipment installation, and reconstruction of a part of the current operation. This will increase the production capacity by 50%. Phase three will see a further doubling of production. The final phase will not be considred until demand is clearer.
Last year, Plzensky Prazdroj sold a total of 9,004,744 hectolitres of beer representing a year increase of 13%. The group of Plzensky Prazdroj is the most important entity of the brewery industry in the central Europe. It is a part of international group SABMiller plc., the second largest brewery company in the world. Brand Pilsner Urquell is the flag ship of SABMiller. The main brands of Plzensky Prazdroj in the Czech Republic are Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus, Radegast, and Velkopopovicky Kozel.
