Anheuser-Busch Research Center Locates In UI Research Park

The global parent company of Anheuser-Busch brewery is adding a facility in the in the University of Illinois’ Research Park.

But research park marketing director Laura Frerichs says the function of the ‘Bud Analytics Lab’ will be data research and analytics, not beer. 

She said the Belgium-based AB InBev will locate in the former Motorola building, and is about the business of beer, not brewing it.

“That is a different angle that they’ll have versus other relationships they had with our engineering students in the past - looking at packaging or manufacturing side of the business," she said.  "This is about the business aspects of pricing, or modeling the right types of products.”

AB InBev expects to hire about a dozen students at a time, and a small full-time staff has already started work in the Research Park. 

Frerichs said the company actively promotes messages about responsible drinking, and at an appropriate age.

ABInBev is headquartered overseas, but has executives in New York, and Anheuser-Busch remains in St. Louis. 

A grand opening of the new U of I-based business is planned for later next week.