ST. LOUIS — Anheuser-Busch’s $5 million new Technical Excellence Center in St. Louis opened Friday that will provide better training for its employees.
The new center, which includes the renovation of the original Busch Technical Training, is part of Anheuser-Busch’s plan to invest $1 billion over two years, spanning 26 states, in the company’s facilities “to drive economic prosperity in communities where it operates,” according to a press release.
“The new Technical Excellence Center marks the beginning of a new training initiative at Anheuser-Busch and is a clear demonstration of our commitment to build a future centered on knowledge and new capabilities,” said Mauricio Soufen, U.S. chief supply officer at Anheuser-Busch.
“These advancements will allow us to better support our new and existing front-line technicians and embodies our ongoing commitment to invest in our people, our hometown of St. Louis, and our consumers, which are all key tenants of our success.”
The center in St. Louis features 11 training labs and more than 30 curriculums where eight new jobs were created for the St. Louis-based Learning & Development Team.
By the end of year, more than 200 employees will have been trained at the new facility.
“The center seeks to improve technical skills and provide a training roadmap for employees of all levels. The technical training capabilities, customized to the brewer’s environment and best-in-class standards, will also be used to recruit and hire new technicians,” the press release states.
All employees are guaranteed to learn from seasoned trainers, who have more than 100 years of collective brewery experience, according to the press release.
“Their expert knowledge of industry-wide technical skills and Anheuser-Busch’s brewery processes, supply chain and high-quality standards will ensure the curriculum is infused with insights unique to A-B and further speaks to the importance of why the company has decided to internalize their training programs,” the press release states.
Employees, specifically front-line technicians, will learn industry-wide technical skills and understand Anheuser-Busch’s brewery processes, supply chain and high-quality standards to continue to brew the products loved by the company’s consumers.
“The center is helping to build out many different capabilities including motion controls, electrical safety and maintenance, and process equipment maintenance and support, among others,” the press release states.
“The new training programs also seek to increase engagement among employees, facilitate better line performance, and faster response and repair time in the more than 120 facilities Anheuser-Busch owns and operates nationally.”
Anheuser-Busch plans to expand the curriculum to other locations such as its Cartersville and Houston breweries.
“This training initiative is another important milestone in Anheuser-Busch’s commitment to its more than 19,000 hardworking employees nationwide and the brewer’s home in St. Louis, including the company’s $50 million brewery investment announced earlier this year to support the city’s economy and job opportunities,” the press release states.