Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 6:01 pm
Changes are Brewing at High Falls
Video:
http://www.13wham.com/mediacenter/local ... wokr13.com
Kyle Clark (Rochester, N.Y.) - The first new ingredient for change at High Falls Brewery is a contract with Seagram’s. The deal is expected to bring 100 new jobs to the plant on the Genesee.
Then, there’s the new CEO, Norm Snyder. He’s a beverage industry vet who isn't shy about saying he loves beer.
The brewing operation at High Falls nearly went dry in 2000.
"There have been times when I've wondered if we'd be able to slug it out and persevere," said brewing chairman Tom Hubbard.
Now, seven years later, High Falls is gaining financial footing and Hubbard has found a successor in new CEO Norm Snyder.
Snyder is an industry vet, a founder of the Sobe Beverage line, who hopes to add turning around High Falls to his resume.
Snyder said, "We've got a plan and we're going to dig ourselves out of this."
It means the huge plant that's half empty making its own brands needs to bring in others. Genny's been its stock and trade for a long time, but to keep the business profitable, it's going to take imports like Steinlager from New Zealand and contract brews like Mike's Hard Lemonade to keep High Falls growing.
A big contract announced Friday will have Seagram’s Coolers rolling off the line and is expected to bring in nearly 100 new jobs. Even then, the facility will only be at 65 percent capacity. An optimist might say the beer glass is half-full.
"Obviously there've been some precarious times, we can't deny that, but I think that we've bottomed out and we're on our way back up," Snyder said.
He's actively chasing new imports to add to High Falls' portfolio. That means making different international beers easily available.
He's also looking to dump millions into capital improvements at the plant.
He said upgrades will be noticeable to people cracking one open at home; better technology can mean better taste and longer shelf life
Video:
http://www.13wham.com/mediacenter/local ... wokr13.com
Kyle Clark (Rochester, N.Y.) - The first new ingredient for change at High Falls Brewery is a contract with Seagram’s. The deal is expected to bring 100 new jobs to the plant on the Genesee.
Then, there’s the new CEO, Norm Snyder. He’s a beverage industry vet who isn't shy about saying he loves beer.
The brewing operation at High Falls nearly went dry in 2000.
"There have been times when I've wondered if we'd be able to slug it out and persevere," said brewing chairman Tom Hubbard.
Now, seven years later, High Falls is gaining financial footing and Hubbard has found a successor in new CEO Norm Snyder.
Snyder is an industry vet, a founder of the Sobe Beverage line, who hopes to add turning around High Falls to his resume.
Snyder said, "We've got a plan and we're going to dig ourselves out of this."
It means the huge plant that's half empty making its own brands needs to bring in others. Genny's been its stock and trade for a long time, but to keep the business profitable, it's going to take imports like Steinlager from New Zealand and contract brews like Mike's Hard Lemonade to keep High Falls growing.
A big contract announced Friday will have Seagram’s Coolers rolling off the line and is expected to bring in nearly 100 new jobs. Even then, the facility will only be at 65 percent capacity. An optimist might say the beer glass is half-full.
"Obviously there've been some precarious times, we can't deny that, but I think that we've bottomed out and we're on our way back up," Snyder said.
He's actively chasing new imports to add to High Falls' portfolio. That means making different international beers easily available.
He's also looking to dump millions into capital improvements at the plant.
He said upgrades will be noticeable to people cracking one open at home; better technology can mean better taste and longer shelf life