The new 225,000ft² Diageo Lincolnway manufacturing site holds the potential to produce more than 25 million cases of malt-based beverages and spirits-based RTD cocktails

Diageo

Diageo North America has opened new canning facility in Illinois, US. (Credit: Diageo)

Diageo North America has opened a new canning facility in Illinois, US, to boost the development of its ready-to-drink (RTD) portfolio and growth strategy in the convenience category.

Located in Plainfield, the new 225,000ft2 Diageo Lincolnway manufacturing site is developed with an investment of around $110m. The investment has created 50 full-time jobs.

With two high-speed can lines, the new canning facility holds the potential to produce more than 25 million cases of malt-based beverages and spirits-based RTD cocktails.

Diageo North America manufacturing and distillation senior vice president Michael Nelson Jr said: “We’re incredibly proud of the speed and innovative approach from our team and partners in their efforts to build this site in record time. Diageo Lincolnway will be instrumental in accelerating our offerings in the convenience space and help meet consumer demand.

“The new facility strengthens our manufacturing footprint in the region and allows us to leverage synergies with our warehouse and bottling operation in Plainfield.”

The manufacturing site is said to supplement existing RTD production across North America.

The new canning facility will engage in the production of Diageo’s various brand products, including Smirnoff seltzers and spirits-based RTD cocktails from Crown Royal and Ketel One Botanical Vodka Spritz.

Diageo North America convenience vice president Keara Funck said: “The new canning facility will enhance Diageo’s existing operations, strengthening our offering and accelerating our strategy in the ready-to-drink category.

“As we continue to build on this opportunity in the convenience space to deliver premium delicious bar-quality cocktails and malt-based beverages, we are excited about the innovations and possibilities this could bring to our consumers.”

Diageo offers several beverage alcohol brands, including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

In April last year, Johnnie Walker, a scotch whiskey brand owned by Diageo, had launched The Next Steps initiative to accelerate its sustainable efforts.