Diageo expands liquor bottling facility

Diageo, the world's leading spirits, beer and wine company announced today that it is investing $20.2 million to expand its Plainfield, IL bottling facility as demand for ready-to-serve cocktails continues. The 44,000 square foot addition will house a new bottling line for Diageo's line of cocktails including Smirnoff Pomegranate Martini, Smirnoff Mojito, Smirnoff Grand Cosmopolitan, and the newly launched Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade.

The company announced last June that it was investing $18 million in the existing brand technical and bottling facility, adding processing and storage capacity and upgrading packaging lines to meet market demand for Smirnoff vodka.

"This investment is significant, especially in these difficult economic times," said John Council, President, Diageo Americas Supply. "While our business is not recession-proof, we remain resilient. The Plainfield site remains a center of excellence for liquid development and new innovations that drive our business like the Smirnoff line of ready-to-serve cocktails."

In 2005, Diageo created the super-premium ready-to-serve cocktails category with the introduction of Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita. Today, Diageo brands are driving strong growth as consumers want to enjoy their favorite bar-quality cocktails at home.

Established in 1965 as a small distillery for United Distillers, the Plainfield site has grown to more than 450,000 square feet and is today one of the largest combined spirits and malt beverage plants in the world. About 25 million cases of spirits and malt beverages are produced in Plainfield every year, including the plant's flagship brand and #1 vodka in the world, Smirnoff.

Source: Diageo