Diageo new member of the VLB Berlin

Diageo plc with its headquarters in London, England, is a new member of the VLB Berlin. The membership agreement was signed on 15 May in Berlin by Christian von der Heide, Manufacturing Excellence and Technical Director Global Beer & Supply Chain Africa at Diageo.

“As part of the extensive optimisation of our global brewing processes we have relied on the expertise of the VLB several times. With our membership we want to deepen this successful co-operation in the future”, explains Christian von der Heide the motivation for this decision. The next common activities are scheduled in the areas of training, consulting and auditing of Diageo breweries starting in Africa. With its membership Diageo intends to expand the existing attachment to the VLB on a long-term basis for their mutual benefit. VLB’s Managing Director Dr.-Ing. Joseph Fontaine: “We are very proud that we were able to inspire Diageo, one of the most prestigious international beer and drinks groups, for a VLB membership. This is once again an impressive confirmation that our strategy of internationalisation has been well accepted and has come to fruition.”

Diageo is the world’s leading manufacturer of premium alcoholic drinks and with its brand “Guinness” the world market leader in the segment of Stout beers. The company, based in London, was created in 1997 through the merger of Guinness and GrandMet. It employs 25,000 people in 80 countries. The total turnover in 2011 amounted to about 10 billion pounds. In addition to Guinness the portfolio includes beer brands like Harp, Kilkenny, Smithwicks, Tusker, Red Stripe or Saatzenbrau. The annual beer production amounts to 30 million hl. Well known spirits brands are Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Baileys and Captain Morgan.

VLB Berlin, founded 1883 in Germany, is one of the worldwide leading institutes for research, training and consulting in the field of beer and beverage production.