USA: Diageo to invest $80 million in expansion plans

Leading North America alcoholic drinks firm Diageo has announced plans to expand its manufacturing footprint and install two high-speed can lines at a new facility in Plainfield, Illinois.

The expansion project will need an investment of nearly $80 million, which will increase Diageo’s capacity to over 25 million cases of RTDs per year, including a 500 cans per minute line and a 1200 CPM line.

The company says these plans are meant to support growth in the ready-to-drink category and are expected to be available for commercial production by the Summer of 2021.

Commenting on the news, Diageo North America President, Debra Crew, 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 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.”

Source: Diageo press release