Diageo has invested CAD 6.4m ($5.33m) in a new canning line at a production facility in the Canadian province of Quebec.
The expansion will bring canning capabilities to the site, currently used for distilling and bottling, for the first time. Diageo will use the new line to can a range of ready-to-drink products such as Smirnoff Ice, Bevé and Jeremiah Weed bourbon intended for the Canadian market. It could increase the total production capacity of the factory by as much as 500,000 cases every year.
With construction currently under way, the new line at the Valleyfield facility is expected to be completely later this spring.
Valleyfield director of operations Michel Charpentier said: “The popularity of the ready-to-drink segment is driving growth, particularly in Canada. Having the ability to produce cans in our own facility will enable us to meet the demand for ready-to-drink products more efficiently, and make it possible for innovations to go to market faster and more cost-effectively.”
Diageo Canada president Jakob Ripshtein added: “Our ready-to-drink business continues to grow across all provinces, particularly with our Bevé and Smirnoff Ice brands. This new line demonstrates our commitment to the long-term success of these brands and this format.”
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