Diageo to Close Ontario Bottling Plant by February 2026

Diageo, a leading spirits manufacturer, plans to close its Ontario bottling plant by February 2026. The move is part of the company's efforts to streamline operations and increase efficiency. Diageo's products are sold under various brands, including Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, and Captain Morgan. The company's net sales are distributed across Europe, North America, Asia/Pacific, Latin America, and Africa.

Title: Diageo to Cease Operations at Ontario Bottling Facility

London, August 28, 2025 - Diageo plc, a global leader in beverage alcohol, has announced plans to cease operations at its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ontario by February 2026. This strategic move is part of the company's ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and resiliency of its North American manufacturing operations.

The Amherstburg facility, currently bottling Crown Royal products, will no longer operate. However, Crown Royal will continue to be mashed, distilled, and aged in Canada, as it has been since 1939. Diageo will maintain a significant footprint across Canada, including its Canadian headquarters and warehouse operations in the Greater Toronto Area, as well as bottling and distillation facilities in Gimli, Manitoba and Valleyfield, Quebec.

This decision reflects Diageo's commitment to improving its North American supply chain and positioning the company for long-term sustainable growth. The changes aim to unlock additional productivity, increase resiliency, and enhance capacity to scale, effectively meeting demand across various markets, particularly in the U.S. for Crown Royal consumers.

The closure of the Amherstburg facility aligns with the strategic priorities outlined in Diageo's global Accelerate program, which focuses on clear cash delivery targets and a disciplined approach to operational excellence and cost efficiency.

Diageo has expressed gratitude to its dedicated Amherstburg employees for their contributions to the company and the Crown Royal brand. The company will support impacted employees through this transition and will work alongside Unifor to provide assistance to its unionized employees.

Diageo will continue to invest in Canada through its ongoing production, local operations, and contributions to local communities. The company's products support over 9,700 Canadian jobs, including more than 3,000 in Ontario, across its operations and related sectors. Diageo has invested approximately CAD$150 million (USD$109 million) in its production facilities since 2021.

Crown Royal whisky destined for Canada and non-U.S. export markets will continue to be bottled at Diageo’s Valleyfield, Quebec facility. The company's products contribute more than CAD$300 million in annual revenue for Canadian restaurants and bars, with CAD$125 million specifically from Ontario.

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References:
[1] https://www.diageo.com/en/news-and-media/press-releases/2025/diageo-plc-announces-strategic-changes-to-increase-resiliency-of-north-american-manufacturing-operations