Case Study

Seamless Brewery Relocation: Tuatara’s Move to Brewtown

Case Study

Seamless Brewery Relocation: Tuatara’s Move to Brewtown

“Tuatara Brewery is now situated at the heart of New Zealand’s craft brewing scene. The modernised plant with an optimised layout and new packaging machinery enables them to produce fantastic beer efficiently and sustainably for years to come”.

TEG Projects successfully managed the relocation of Tuatara Brewery from Kapiti to Brewtown, ensuring minimal disruption to brewing operations. Through expert planning, feasibility analysis, and precise execution, the move positioned Tuatara at the heart of Wellington’s craft beer scene with an optimised, future-ready facility.

TEG Projects and Tuatara, DB Breweries relocation project to Brewtown

Client Information

DB Breweries, one of New Zealand’s leading brewing companies and part of the global HEINEKEN group, produces a diverse range of beers, including the craft brand Tuatara. Known for its award-winning brews, Tuatara was originally based on the Kapiti Coast but sought to relocate to Brewtown in Upper Hutt to enhance production efficiency and join Wellington’s thriving craft beer community. This move aligned with DB Breweries’ commitment to innovation, sustainability, and growth in the craft beer market.

Goal

To successfully relocate Tuatara Brewery from its existing site in Kapiti to Brewtown in Upper Hutt, ensuring a seamless transition with minimal operational downtime. The move aimed to enhance production efficiency, modernise equipment, and position Tuatara within Wellington’s thriving craft beer hub.This relocation provided an opportunity to optimise the brewery’s layout, integrate new packaging machinery, and future-proof operations for sustainable growth.

Why TEG Projects

TEG Projects was selected for this relocation due to its extensive experience managing large-scale projects in the food and beverage industry, particularly in the brewery sector. With a team that includes project managers who have previously worked in breweries, TEG Projects brings a deep understanding of brewing operations, logistics, and production requirements. This expertise ensures seamless transitions, from feasibility studies to execution, minimising disruption and optimising new facilities for long-term success.

Solution

In early 2024, DB Breweries faced a number of constraints with their existing site in Kapiti and had been approached by Brewtown around moving operations to join Wellington’s strong craft brewery community. TEG Projects was selected to conduct the initial feasibility study to either rectify the constraints and stay at Kapiti or to move, present and evaluate options, and eventually execute the project upon approval.

South Island Regional Manager Andy Stockley used his brewery expertise to plan layouts and cost out options for the new plant in consultation with stakeholders. Senior Project Manager Altan Gurevin managed the tendering process for relocating machinery, pipework, electrical, and other services. TEG Projects also directed the civil works prior to the relocation. The relocation and installation of machinery were completed swiftly, minimising disruption to brewing operations.

Challenges

The primary challenge was executing the plant relocation while minimising disruption to brewing operations. Given the complexity of moving an operational brewery, careful scheduling was essential to ensure a smooth transition. TEG Projects developed a detailed timeline that coordinated the shutdown of brewing at the existing Kapiti site with the commissioning of the new facility at Brewtown, allowing for a seamless handover. Additionally, the project team proactively adjusted the schedule to accommodate unforeseen delays in the delivery of new brewing and packaging machinery from Europe, ensuring that installation and commissioning remained on track despite logistical challenges.

Results

Tuatara Brewery has made its home in Brewtown, Upper Hutt—where it’s surrounded by a vibrant community of like-minded brewers and beverage makers. The relocation has provided Tuatara with a modernised facility featuring an optimised layout, improved workflow, and state-of-the-art packaging machinery. These enhancements have not only increased production efficiency but also improved sustainability, reducing waste and energy consumption. With its upgraded plant, Tuatara is well-equipped to continue crafting high-quality, award-winning beers while meeting growing market demand for years to come.

Capabilities

Seamless Brewery Relocation: Tuatara’s Move to Brewtown