East African Breweries Limited has moved its corporate offices to new space at the Garden City Business Park, adjacent to its old offices, and unveiled a fresh corporate logo.
The ceremony to open the new office and unveil the logo was presided over by Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya at the new office space in Ruaraka, Nairobi.
East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has taken four floors of the Grade A office complex.
EABL Group Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cowan described the migration to the new building as a significant step for the company as it nears its centenary celebrations in 2022.
“Going into our second century you can expect us to double down on our commitment to East Africa. EABL is a top four company for Diageo globally, but more important, a proud local icon known and admired across the continent. We want you to think of our first 100 years as just getting started,” said Mr Cowan.
He said the company would increase its ability to make drinks using locally-sourced raw materials, invest in local capacity to ensure local jobs, continue on its sustainability initiatives, as well as its tradition of sending its Kenyan staff abroad to build enriching careers and experiences for themselves and their families.
“This month alone, we are commissioning more brewing vessels into the Kisumu brewery. This alone underwrites further commitment to the 17,000 farmers supplying us with sorghum in the region. More brewing vessels making more beer needs more sorghum,” said Mr Cowan.
Mr Munya said the government would continue to support industries and to create the right environment for both home-grown companies and foreign investors to thrive.
“The Trade, Industry and Cooperatives ministry is working to reduce the multiplicity of laws, regulations and levies across the counties that have been cited as a hindrance to businesses. As Kenya improves in the Ease of Doing Business Index, we also appreciate the need to improve the country’s competitiveness,” said Mr Munya.
EABL’s new logo features the grains that are a key raw material in the brewing of beer. It also speaks to the company’s heritage in Kenya since 1922.
The new logo was developed by Elvis Otieno, a 22-year-old student at the Multimedia University. Elvis was among 19 individuals and one group who were selected as finalists from more than 300 designs submitted in EABL’s logo competition dubbed “Got Skillz?”
Mr Cowan explained the company’s decision to move away from the traditional way of designing logos.
“Rather than commission an international agency to try and get under the skin of what EABL is all about, we went straight to the communities of people who already know what EABL is all about. We did this with the aim of getting a great corporate brand refresh that resonated with locals, and also to identify some great local talent and help them onto the world map of creative design,” said Mr Cowan.
The finalists will receive certificates in recognition of their excellence in the competition.
Kenyan Business Feed is the top Kenyan Business Blog. We share news from Kenya and across the region. To contact us with any alert, please email us to [email protected]