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Diageo North America invests $80m in RTD facility

As the ready-to-drink (RTD) market continues to grow, Diageo North America is investing US$80 million in expanding its production capacity to more than 25m cases annually.

Diageo RTD production site
Diageo’s new RTD facility will have capacity to produce more than 25m cases annually

The money will be used to install two can lines at a new facility in Plainfield, Illinois, which will produce RTDs including Smirnoff seltzers and the newly launched RTD cocktails from Crown Royal and Ketel One Botanicals.

Debra Crew, president, Diageo North America, said: “As the ready-to-drink category continues to grow rapidly in the United States, this expansion is very exciting as it will support our plans to meet increased consumer demand in line with emerging trends for convenient formats that are ideal for casual and at-home dining occasions.

“The new operation will supplement our existing ready-to-drink production across North America and strengthen our path to continue building our RTD offering.”

The facility will span 225,000 square feet and will feature a 500-cans-per-minute line, and a 1,200-cans-per-minute line. Both should be available for commercial production by summer 2021.

Once operational, the site will employ approximately 50 full-time members of staff.

Perry Jones, president, North America supply for Diageo, said: “The strategic location of the new site, near our warehouse and Plainfield bottling operation, will allow Diageo to create synergies and the flexibility to expand and carry other market-leading brands in the future.

“We are thrilled to expand our manufacturing footprint and further deepen our relationship with the village of Plainfield.”

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