In another sign of the booming ready-to-drink market, Diageo North America today announced an $80-million investment in their RTD operations in Plainfield, IL.
This investment goes towards expansion of the manufacturing footprint, plus installing two new can lines at a new facility.
After the work, the Plainfield plant will have capacity to produce more than 25 million cases of RTDs per year, including Smirnoff seltzers and the newly launched spirits-based RTD cocktails from Crown Royal and Ketel One Botanicals.
“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 occasions,” says Debra Crew, president, Diageo North America. “The new operation will supplement our existing ready-to-drink production across North America and strengthen our path to continue building our RTD offering.”
Sitting on a 225,000-square-foot property in Plainfield, the new facility will include a 500-cans-per-minute (CPM) line and a 1200 CPM line, both of which are expected to begin commercial production by summer of 2021.
“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,” says Perry Jones, president, North America Supply for Diageo. “We are thrilled to expand our manufacturing footprint and further deepen our relationship with the Village of Plainfield.”
Once open, the new site will employ approximately 50 full-time team members.
Diageo North America has built a 55-year-old partnership with the Village of Plainfield and has played a role contributing to its economic development, the company says. Diageo’s presence has grown through the years: the Plainfield site—opened since 1966—and the warehouse collectively employ more than 600 additional people.
“The Village of Plainfield is proud to have Diageo here,” says Brian Murphy, administrator, Village of Plainfield. “The company has made a long-term commitment to our community through continued investments and charitable activity in Plainfield and Will County.”
