AB InBev Expands Manufacturing Footprint, Grows Digital Upskilling Efforts
Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), which manufactures BevAlc brands such as Michelob Ultra, Busch Light, Budweiser and Bud Light, is continuing its manufacturing expansion.
The company will invest more than $20 million in its St. Louis and Arnold, Missouri, operations to upgrade equipment, bolster workforce technical skills and drive production for the Michelob brand through increased capacity.
The effort will include a new technical skills training center inside the St. Louis Brewery that will upskill employees across mechanical, electrical, digital and operational areas.
AB InBev aims to train more than 90% of its manufacturing workforce over the next five years and has already established 15 centers as part of that goal. These initiatives are part of AB InBev's $600 million investment in its U.S. operations through 2026 to build sustainable manufacturing jobs for a modern workforce.
The growing geographic footprint is supported by digital levers such as the company's DTC digital platforms, which increased revenues by 6% in 2025, and its BEES marketplace, which increased gross merchandise value by 63%.
During AB InBev's May earnings conversation, CEO Michel Doukeris said AI is a core part of the company's commercial strategy, through which it has embedded more than 20 billion AI-enabled touchpoints to optimize revenue management, supply chain and innovation.
"The customer behavior and purchase trends captured by BEES enable us to leverage AI capabilities to execute our commercial strategy," said Doukeris, adding that AI provides the company with an opportunity to "provide superior service, progress our revenue management agenda, and supply leading brands with innovations."
