The Clackmannanshire-based firm has pumped in over half a million pounds into this initial expansion phase, which will include new warehouse and office space, site improvements and continued upgrades to brewing infrastructure.
Harviestoun has spent the past decade renting warehouse space while storing additional stock in external facilities in Glasgow.
Re-centralising storage and logistics back into the brewery site will help drive considerably greater efficiency and, according to Harviestoun, support a scale-up in production for its next stage of growth.
Through this investment, the Schiehallion brewer will also be hoping to strengthen its ability to deliver across retail, hospitality and international markets.
“The investment is geared to supporting Harviestoun’s growth while bringing our operations fully back onto the site in Alva,” said Andrew McKnight, chief executive officer of Harviestoun.
“We have invested steadily in our infrastructure over the past few years, upgrading brewing equipment and improving efficiency so that we have the foundations in place to grow the business in a sustainable way.”
He continued: “The market is increasingly turning back towards classic styles such as lager and stout, but with a focus on quality. That plays to our strengths as a brewery with a strong heritage and well-established beers that continue to perform strongly with drinkers.
“Despite the challenging trading environment facing many breweries, we believe there are opportunities for independent producers with strong brands and disciplined operations.”
The ambitious investment comes at a very difficult time for the wider Scottish craft brewing sector, which has seen two of its flagship brands fall by the wayside in recent months, with BrewDog and Innis & Gunn falling into administration.
Although both have since been acquired by American and Irish companies respectively, they have been bought at significantly reduced capacities and the Scottish craft brewing industry has contracted significantly as a result.
Harviestoun’s expansion will come as a welcome development for a bruised sector, with the brewer expecting to launch more than five new beers this year, including in the no and low space.
The firm currently produces just under 10,000 hectolitres of beer annually, with plans to grow output towards 20,000 hectolitres over time. Its annual turnover currently stands at £2.2 million, with forecasts projecting £2.5 million this year and £3.1 million next year.
