Diageo North America expands operations to support RTD category
2 high-speed can lines will support capacity of 25+ million canned beverages
To support New York-based Diageo North America’s growth strategy in the ready-to-drink (RTD) category, the company announced plans to expand its manufacturing footprint and install two can lines at a new facility in Plainfield, Ill. With an investment of approximately $80 million, the site will have the capacity to produce more than 25 million cases of RTDs a 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,” said Debra Crew, president of Diageo North America, in a statement. “The new operation will supplement our existing ready-to-drink production across North America and strengthen our path to continue building our RTD offering.”