Diageo to spend €24m on global research site at St James’s Gate

DRINKS group Diageo is investing €24 million in the expansion of its research operations in Dublin, a move that will position its Irish operations as the global centre for all beer development within the group.

The research and development centre will help to increasing net sales value at Diageo by €250m over three years, it predicts.

The company said a significant percentage of this will come from export sales which it believes will make a major contribution to growing exports from the Irish economy.

Among the activities which will take place at the centre are researching new brewing materials, developing new packaging and dispensing solutions and brewing technologies.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan said this project signals the very high value the company places on Ireland for its innovative capability, the quality of its research and development of products that can drive the growth of Diageo worldwide.

Diageo director, Dr Frank Lynch said the investment programme at St James’s Gate in Dublin is critical for both the Diageo Group and for Diageo Ireland.

“It places Dublin right at the centre of our international growth strategy,” he said.

Diageo recently announced it was investing €650m in a new brewing facility in Leixlip, Co Kildare and in upgrading the St James’s Gate brewery.