Diageo to Close Canadian Bottling Facility in 2026

Diageo plc, a global leader in the production and marketing of alcoholic drinks, will close its Canadian bottling facility in FY26. The company's products include Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, and Captain Morgan, among others. Net sales are distributed geographically across Europe, North America, Asia/Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Africa.

Global spirits giant Diageo plc has announced plans to shut down its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada by February 2026. The move is part of the company's strategy to optimize its North American supply chain and shift bottling operations closer to its U.S. customers [1].

The facility, which produces Diageo's Crown Royal Canadian whisky, will cease operations and the production will be transferred to the company's Valleyfield, Quebec plant. Diageo has stated that it will support the impacted employees and work closely with labor unions to facilitate the transition [1].

This decision comes amidst a challenging market environment, where Diageo reported a smaller-than-expected fall in annual profit in early August. The company's net sales are distributed geographically, with North America accounting for 39.3% of total sales, followed by Europe (23.8%), Asia/Pacific (19%), Latin America and the Caribbean (9.1%), and Africa (8.8%) [2].

The closure of the Amherstburg plant underscores Diageo's ongoing efforts to streamline its operations and improve efficiency. While the specific number of jobs affected has not been disclosed, the company has committed to supporting the affected employees during this transition period.

References:
[1] https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/spirits-maker-diageo-to-close-ontario-bottling-plant-by-february-2026-4215107
[2] https://www.marketscreener.com/news/diageo-to-halt-operations-at-amherstburg-bottling-site-in-ontario-by-february-ce7c50dcd98ff325