Golden Guinea Breweries Plc, a beverage manufacturing company in Nigeria has re-opened its plant following a US$9.98 million (N3.6bn) cash injection to rejuvenate the brewery.
According to a Beverage Industry News report, production operations in the firm were cut short in 2003 which has since then been engaging in efforts of bringing back the brewer to life.
The brewery, which has been dormant for 17 years, reopened after receiving a loan facility of US$9,98 million from the Federal Government through the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) and the Bank of Industry (BoI) in April last year.
The investment has enabled the firm to double its processing capacity through installation of new equipment to a current operating capacity of 48,000 bottles per hour equivalent to 1.15 million bottles per day.
The producer of Eagle Stout and Bergedoff Lager holds the franchise rights from German-based Holsten Breweries to produce and market Golden Guinea Lager, Bergedorf Premium Lager and Bergedorf Malta in Nigeria.
Initially, the firm held the majority shares in the company but were later acquired by Pan Martine Investments Ltd promoted by Mr. Okey Nzenwa.
Golden Guinea originally commenced business in 1963 as Independence Brewery Limited with an initial annual capacity of 1 million gallons of beer. Since then, the company has subsequently grown its portfolio from Golden Guinea to Eagle Stout, Bergedorf Premium Lager and Bergedorf Malta among others.
The company has also undergone major facelift propelled by its German partner, Coutinho Caro (which later participated in an equity offering issued by the firm).
Production at the brewery was hampered by a fire incident in 2003 but it’s acquisition by Mr Okey Nzenwa and his Pan Maritime investment efforts and collaborations have resuscitated the firm. The company also holds franchise rights to produce and market Holsten Brewery’s Bergedorf premium lager beer and Bergedorf Malta in Nigeria.
Recently, they visited Her Excellency, Dr(mrs) Adanma Okpara. Former First Lady of Eastern Region. Wife of the Late Premier of Eastern Region Dr Michael Okpara and founder of Golden Guinea breweries in 1961.
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