Brewer to set up Irish operation

North American brewer Molson Coors is to set up an Irish sales operation based in Co Kildare next month, creating up to 30 jobs by the end of next year.

The move is the first direct foray into the Irish market for the company, whose 40-beer brand portfolio includes Carling, Grolsch and Coors Light.

The company said the investment was a sign of its ambition to be a significant player in the Irish market.

As part of this move there will be some changes to the way Molson Coors brands are supplied, with distribution of the Carling brand, currently distributed by Heineken, being brought in-house from January 1. Coors Light distribution is unaffected by the new set-up and will continue to be provided by Heineken Ireland.

The new sales and marketing team will focus on Carling, Grolsch, Caffreys and the group's portfolio of "world beer" brands.