Business Forum • 30 September, 2024 at 5:54 PM
The brewery in Miercurea Ciuc, operated since 2003 by Heineken Romania, is celebrating 50 years since its inauguration in 1974. During the 50 years, the brewery has increased its production capacity almost 13 times, from 225,000 HL/year, to 2,900,000 Hl/year in 2024. Heineken Romania's investments in the last 5 years in the Miercurea Ciuc brewery amount to €24.3 million.
Currently, in Miercurea Ciuc, Heineken Romania produces and bottles most of its local and international beer brands (Heineken, Heineken Silver, Desperados, Birra Moretti, Birra Moretti 0.0, Birra Moretti Sale di Mare, Ciuc Premium, Ciuc Radler Lemon 0.0, Ciuc Radler Zmeura 0.0, Neumarkt, Golden Brau, Bucegi, Harghita). At the same time, starting in 2023, the production of Strongbow cider began in Miercurea Ciuc and today the factory bottles all 5 variants of this brand. The Heineken factory in Miercurea Ciuc has 6 bottling lines, for PET, glass, keg and compact blade dispenser.
The company's most recent investments in the brewery in Miercurea Ciuc were the introduction of new production and bottling technologies, with the aim of increasing production capacity, as well as the implementation of Strongbow cider production. Thus, in 2023, a state-of-the-art one-way glass bottling line and a new building within the factory were inaugurated, through a total investment of 1€1 million. The new bottling line implements a faster filling system, with a capacity of 37,000 bottles/hour, and uses the innovative "Dynafill" technology, the factory in Miercurea Ciuc being the first Heineken factory in the world to use this technology.
"50 years of uninterrupted activity in the Miercurea Ciuc brewery represents an important, proud moment: for our passionate team here, and for the community of Harghita, which values the local tradition in brewing beer. At the same time, it is an important moment for us, Heineken Romania, which once again confirms our commitment to building a solid and impactful local presence. We have ambitious plans for sustainable development for the coming years, through investments that will benefit the brewery in Miercurea Ciuc as well," said Thibaut Boidin, Managing Director, Heineken Romania
About 280 people work in the brewery in Miercurea Ciuc, in production and logistics, and 30 of the employees have over 30 years of experience. The company is involved in the training of new generations of employees, being part, together with the local administrations of Harghita and Mureș, with educational institutions and other private companies, of a consortium that aims to support dual professional education and adaptation to the current needs of the labor market.
Heineken is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium and non-alcoholic beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. With Heineken's over 90,000 employees, we brew the joy of true togetherness to inspire a better world. Our dream is to shape the future of beer and beyond, to win the hearts of consumers. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brew a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business. Heineken has a well-balanced geographic footprint, with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. Operates breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries.
In Romania, Heineken has been present since 2003 and has a diverse portfolio of local and international brands of beer and cider, most of which are produced in the three local breweries in Craiova, Ungheni and Miercurea Ciuc. The company has 1,100 employees in Romania, sourcing approximately 70% of ingredients from local suppliers.