Durrant Pate/Contributor

Wisynco Group has officially opened its new state-of-the-art brewery and manufacturing facility at Lakes Pen, St Catherine, unveiling a multi-purpose production plant, said to be the first-of-its-kind factory that has complex capabilities. 

The factory, which has four production lines, is the only local facility that is equipped to produce carbonated soft drinks in cans. With the ability to also produce beer, wines, rum mixes and other ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, the new manufacturing facility represents not only an expansion into alcohol production for Wisynco, one of Jamaica’s leading food and drinks manufacturers and distributors but also a decisive move that strengthens national production capacity and supports long-term economic growth. 

During yesterday morning’s tour of the new facility by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Wisynco Chairman William Mahfood and CEO Andrew Mahfood highlighted the unique capabilities of the plant, which includes a canning line able to package RTDs, sodas and brewed products. The flagship of this new Lakes Pen facility is a 150,000 hectoliter per annum brewery, which significantly enhances Wisynco’s manufacturing capacity, moving the business from 125,000 square feet of production space to 325,000 square feet.

Plant features

The brewery features six finished product tanks, an 18-tonne malt intake and a six-vessel brewhouse capable of small-batch production. A glass line enables the production of up to 1.4 million cases per annum across multiple SKUs (stock keeping units). “With this new facility, which, along with a brewery, includes a 24-hour alcohol mixing plant with a system that allows for automation, we can produce several exciting product categories in different pack formats, explains Andrew Mahfood. “This allows us the capability to adjust so we can better satisfy what the market wants. We currently have the capacity to produce 30,000 cans per hour or up to 6.5 million cases per annum, and we can easily upgrade to match market demand as we go along.” 

Wisynco’s new manufacturing facility operates to the highest international standards, having achieved ISO 9001 Quality Management, ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety, and FSSC 22000 Food Safety certifications. Advanced systems, including real-time quality monitoring and digital audit platforms, support traceability, risk-based controls and continuous improvement. Environmental stewardship is central to the facility’s design, with a strong focus on energy efficiency, water reuse and waste reduction. Fully licensed and compliant, the operation includes a wastewater treatment plant approved by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and supports Wisynco’s broader sustainability commitments. 

According to the CEO, “the new facility is driving product innovation for the business, and that has always been important for Wisynco. Jamaican consumers will be happy to know that we have a new and exciting line of alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages that will add bold, vibrant options to the market. In the alcohol category, we have Legend, which is our flagship beer, Mamba Premium Stout and Worthy Park Rum Mixes. M-POWA is our new non-alcoholic malt beverage designed for consumers who want to ensure they are getting the energy they need to take on life’s daily challenges.”

Relocation of wine and spirits mixing plant 

Additionally, having acquired Ringtail Bottlers in 2025, Wisynco has relocated and integrated their wine and spirits mixing plant into the new facility. With an improved production capacity, two packaging lines currently manufacture Stone’s Ginger Wine and other liqueurs for the Jamaican and export markets. “This facility represents our belief that Jamaican companies can build at world-class standards, create meaningful jobs, and still remain deeply rooted in purpose. Growth only matters if it lifts people, strengthens communities and contributes to the country that has supported us for generations,” Mahfood told the audience in attendance.

Wisynco Chairman, William Mahfood, highlights that the investment reflects the company’s long-standing philosophy and commitment to national development. “For six decades, we have demonstrated commitment to innovation, developing brands that represent us as a people, and manufacturing excellence that drives economic growth. We believe that by strengthening Jamaican manufacturing, investing in our people and operating with purpose, we create value not only for our business but for Jamaica as a whole. At this point in our country’s history, we are faced with the mammoth task of rebuilding, and we believe that as leaders in manufacturing and distribution, we have a responsibility to not just keep the wheels of industry turning, but to also amplify our efforts to grow so that we can create opportunities for our people,” the elder Mahfood declares. 

With more than 2500 employees and a customer base of over 13,000, Wisynco is a leading beverage manufacturing and distribution company with a strong operational footprint in Jamaica.