Diageo opens new canning facility at Plainfield site

Diageo has opened a new North American manufacturing facility to significantly increase its canning capacity for malt-based beverages and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails.

The new facility at Diageo Lincolnway, located in Plainfield, Illinois, features two high-speed canning lines and will give the global drinks group capacity to produce more than 25 million cases of canned products annually. It joins exising warehouse and bottling facilities at the Plainfield site.

Measuring 225,000sqft, the canning facility supplements Diageo's existing RTD production across North America. Lincolnway is producing canned products from some of Diageo's latest portfolio brands, including Smirnoff seltzers and spirit-based RTD cocktails from Crown Royal and Ketel One Botanical Vodka Spritz.

Michael Nelson Jr, senior vice president of manufacturing and distillation at Diageo North America, 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 [will] 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."

Keara Funck, vice president of convenience at Diageo North America, 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 Lincolnway represents a US$110 million investment by the company in its North American operations, and employs approximately 50 full-time staff. Diageo's partnership with the village of Plainfield stretches back to 1966, when it first opened its bottling plant there. Together, the bottling plant and warehouse at Plainfield now employ more than 600 people.

Lauren Jacobson, supply commercialization manager at Diageo North America, said: "This new production site continues to strengthen the relationship and roots that Diageo has developed over the years within the village of Plainfield."

2 March 2022 - Bethany Whymark