Diageo has confirmed it will close its bottling unit in Amherstburg, Ontario, by February next year.
The site currently bottles the group’s Crown Royal Canadian whisky brand. Diageo emphasised that the production of Crown Royal will remain in Canada, where the brand has been mashed, distilled and aged since its launch in 1939.
Bottling for Canadian and non-US export markets will continue at Diageo’s Valleyfield, Quebec site, while some volume will shift closer to US consumers. The decision forms part of the brand owner’s global ‘Accelerate’ programme, which recently saw its cost-saving target increased to US$625m over the next three years.
The Johnnie Walker owner did not immediately disclose the number of jobs that will be impacted by this week’s decision.
The company said the move would enhance supply chain resiliency, increase capacity and support long-term growth. “We appreciate our dedicated Amherstburg employees for their contributions to Diageo and the Crown Royal brand,” said the president of North America supply, Marsha McIntosh.
“This was a difficult decision, but one that is crucial to improving the efficiency and resiliency of our supply chain network.”
Diageo said it will work with union representatives and provide transition support for affected employees, while also engaging with the Amherstburg community to identify ways to assist during the closure process.
The company highlighted its ongoing Canadian footprint, including its headquarters and warehousing operations in the Greater Toronto Area, a distillery in Gimli, Manitoba, and bottling at Valleyfield. Since 2021, Diageo has invested around CAD$150m (US$109m) in its Canadian facilities.
Last week, the company proposed an expansion to the brewery it is building in Ireland that would more than double its planned capacity.
