Diageo Celebrates Grand Opening of Relay, Maryland Blending and
Packaging Facility
RELAY, Md., Nov. 12, 2012
/PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, the world's leading premium spirits,
wine and beer company, announced today the grand opening of its
blending and packaging facility in Relay,
Maryland. Diageo processes and bottles distilled
spirits including Jose Cuervo,
Captain Morgan and Seagram's. The Company invested more than
$50 million in this world class
manufacturing operation.
Major renovations of the 60 acre site began in March 2012 and were completed on time and on
budget with an exemplary safety record. The plant is geared to be
one of Diageo's most efficient processing facilities globally and
is currently produces approximately 11 million cases per year.
"The grand opening of Relay is
part of Diageo's continuing investment in our North America manufacturing network," said
David Cutter, President, Diageo
Americas Supply. "We are creating best-in-class operations that are
more efficient, cost effective and environmentally sustainable.
Since 2010, Diageo North America has invested more than
$250 million in its production
network. This facility is a testament to our dedicated workforce
here in Maryland a prime example
of Diageo's continued commitment to local manufacturing."
Diageo installed three new high speed bottling lines and
upgrades to key production areas. The company also invested in
highly effective training and capability building for its
employees. With these recent improvements, Relay now has further capacity and capability
to carry Diageo's other market-leading brands in the future. In the
early Spring, the site will start to bottle Smirnoff vodka, the
world's largest premium spirits brand by volume.
Remarking on the completion of the facility, Baltimore County
Executive Kevin Kamenetz said,
"Diageo's investment in its Baltimore
County plant and workers confirms a solid principle:
manufacturing products near your customers makes business
sense."
Diageo's Relay operation has
played a key role in the Maryland
community for many years dating back generations. The Relay site was established in 1933 as the
first legal distillery in the state of Maryland following the repeal of prohibition.
Currently, the blending and packaging facility employs 140
people.
About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's
leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of
beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands
include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal,
JεB, Windsor, Buchanan's and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc
and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray, Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards
Wines.
Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than
180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the
New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).
For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and
performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that
promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice
tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
SOURCE Diageo