The iconic yellow and blue branding of Carib beer is now available on store shelves in India. This announcement was made by ANSA McAL Group CEO Anthony Sabga III during his speech to shareholders and stakeholders at the Saaman Estate in Port of Spain on May 15.
Sabga noted that the beer just launched this week, but initial feedback has been positive. He was addressing inquiries about the company’s significant $200 million smart manufacturing facility, Line 7, which was inaugurated by the Caribbean Development Company (CDC) on May 3, 2024.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, he highlighted the company’s plans to expand into the Indian market. Sabga referred to the project as ANSA McAL’s largest investment in decades, describing Line 7 as a “generational upgrade and recommitment” to innovation and sustainability.
He highlighted that the cutting-edge facility is crucial to the group's modernization strategy, providing faster production, greater efficiency, and enhanced sustainability through advanced digital systems, energy optimization, and water-saving technologies.
Confirming that Carib is now being produced in India under a contract manufacturing agreement, Sabga stated, “The brewing and manufacturing team has just returned from Uttar Pradesh, and the first batch of commercially available Carib Beer has already been launched.”
The company has entered into a joint venture with the Global Beverage Organization, and marketing and distribution efforts are currently in progress. “We started introducing the product to the market this week. Prior to the launch, we conducted several test brews and quality checks. The first commercial release took place just a few days ago, and our quality team reports that it’s an excellent brew. We are confident it will perform exceptionally well in India.”
His comments received enthusiastic applause from investors. When questioned about the company's strategy for the Canadian market, Sabga emphasized that establishing local production and distribution partnerships will be crucial for their entry. “We will produce locally, and through our distribution partners, we will actively seek market access in Canada.” He also revealed that Carib is poised for distribution throughout New York State as part of a larger growth strategy in North America. Reflecting on Line 7's inaugural year, Sabga highlighted its significant transformative impact.
"Line 7 has been in operation for just over a year, marking a significant investment, upgrade, and shift for us—not only in technology but also in our long-term vision for the company." He commended the facility for its capacity to greatly enhance production speed and efficiency while supporting the company's sustainability objectives.
"We are extremely proud and thankful to have this world-class facility at our brewery," he continued. In addition to Line 7, the company is also investing in equipment upgrades at its other breweries to enhance reliability, product quality, and environmental performance.
