Brewery ramps up production with new plant

Little Valley Brewery, in Hebden Bridge, now has the capacity to produce 2.5 million bottles of its premium bottles beers, on a one shift per day/five-day week. Helping it meet increased demand from both UK and international customers, the new automated plant will also provide greater efficiency at the brewery.

Wim van der Spek, Little Valley Brewery’s founder and master brewer, said: “Our investment in the new bottling plant will deliver significant growth opportunities and efficiencies for Little Valley Brewery.

“Having had a very busy year last year, with new two new beers in production and high demand from retailers such as Booths, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons and distributors abroad, the new plant is essential for our future growth and success.”

In 2014 it launched two new beers. One was a beer to honour Yorkshire cycling legend, Brian Robinson, and the other was commissioned by a Finnish firm.

The brewery has also recently secured new business with a listing of its Python IPA in over 70 Morrisons stores across Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Internationally, the brewery is now exporting to six markets and is exploring potential in other markets including the USA and Canada.

Mr van der Spek said: “This puts us in a strong position to achieve our ambitious growth targets for 2015 and beyond by seizing new business opportunities throughout the UK and in new international markets, as the thirst for Little Valley beers continues unabated. We are confident that 2015 will be an even better year than 2014.”

The investment in the automated bottling plant, which was installed at the end of last year, is part of the brewery’s long-term growth and expansion plan, which also includes creating new jobs in the future to increase output.