MillerCoors brewery has record-setting year

TRENTON — Despite declining sales of Miller Lite brands, the MillerCoors brewery has set production records this year.

More than 60 beer brands are produced in Trenton, one of eight MillerCoors breweries. A record peak season was set from May to August with a 2 percent increase in production volume, said Jon Hussey, interim plant manager.

Hussey stepped into the role of interim plant manager while the plant manager of seven years, Denise Quinn, works on a special assignment.

“We selected Jon given his great people leadership and his focus on world class manufacturing, as well as his proven track record of delivering results in our packaging department. He is a natural fit for the Trenton brewery given his level of engagement and respect with employees,” Colleen Reiter, vice president of brewery operations for MillerCoors, said in a statement.

While his top goal is safety, Hussey said his priority is to continue Quinn’s success. However, total production this year over last year will end up flat, according to Julian Green, a spokesman for MillerCoors.

The last financial results released for the third quarter by SABMiller p.l.c. and Molson Coors Brewing Company, joint owners of MillerCoors, showed company-wide net income of $334 million, an increase of more than 30 percent from the same quarter last year. Miller Lite and Coors Light sales are down by single digits, according to SAB.

Perhaps sales will pick up if Hussey achieves another initiative to reinforce team empowerment during his roughly two-year tenure. That means empowering technicians to make decisions by making the beer makers more comfortable and knowledgeable. Doing so creates a flatter organization structure, increasing efficiency, Hussey said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or clevingston@coxohio.com.

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