Beam took ownership of the plant at the same time it acquired Pinnacle Vodka from White Rock Distillery in April 2012. In January 2013, Beam announced plans to enhance the efficiency of its US bottling operations and gradually transition bottling of Pinnacle Vodka and Calico Jack Rum from Maine to Kentucky, where more than two thirds of the company’s global annual volume is produced.
This transition into Beam’s recently expanded centre of excellence in Frankfort, Kentucky, on track for completion by the end of Q1 2014.
“We told the workforce in Lewiston that we would explore different options for the plant, including potentially finding a suitable buyer,” said Jim Morehead, director of manufacturing, Beam. “We couldn’t be more pleased to have Sazerac purchase the plant and to continue operating it as a spirits bottling facility.”
The sale includes the building, land and equipment. Beam will lease the plant back from Sazerac at least through Q1 2014 when the transition of Pinnacle Vodka and Calico Jack Rum into Beam’s Frankfort facility is complete.
Source: Beam Inc
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