SHELBY COUNTY, Ky.,
May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/
-- Diageo today announced its intention to invest an estimated
$115 million over three years to
build a 1.8 million proof gallon (750,000 9-liter cases) distillery
and six barrel storage warehouses in Shelby County, Kentucky. While
finalization of these plans is still subject to approval by local
government, the project will represent a significant investment in
Kentucky's growing bourbon
industry. The proposed facility will distill a number of
current and future Diageo bourbon and North American Whiskey
brands.
Diageo will purchase approximately 300 acres of property located
on Benson Pike in Shelby County. The company expects that the
construction project will provide a significant number of jobs and
anticipates employing approximately 30 people for whiskey
distillation and maturation.
"This proposed investment in Shelby
County, in the heart of Kentucky bourbon country, will cement our
commitment to expanding our share of the American whiskey
category," said Larry Schwartz,
President, Diageo North America. "Diageo has a long tradition
within the craft of whiskey-making and we look forward to bringing
this artisanship to the new distillery. The distillery will build
on our presence in Kentucky and we
are committed to being a productive member of the local
community. We are very thankful for the support we have
received thus far from state and local officials and look forward
to a long and fruitful working relationship."
"Today marks another feather in the cap for Kentucky's bourbon industry," said Governor
Steve Beshear. "Distilled spirits
remain a marquee industry in the Commonwealth, and Diageo's new
distillery will ensure that even more Kentucky bourbon is enjoyed around the globe.
I want to thank Diageo for investing in Shelby County, and I look forward to seeing
the distillery in action."
"The Shelby County Fiscal Court
is very excited that Diageo is proposing to expand its worldwide
distillation operations by building a state-of-the-art distillery
in Shelby County. We look forward to a great partnership with
Diageo and we welcome them to the community," said Shelby County
Judge-Executive Rob
Rothenburger.
"This is a fantastic investment for Shelby County. It
further solidifies our community as one of the fastest growing and
business friendly areas in Kentucky," said State Senator Paul Hornback (District-20). "We are
thankful for the positive economic impact this will bring and are
proud that bourbon, a signature industry of Kentucky, will now be made right here in
Shelby County."
"Diageo is a name known around the world for their large
portfolio of leading spirits brands and we are grateful that they
have chosen Shelby County as the
home base for their distilling operations in Kentucky. This
$115 million investment in the
community will benefit our citizens for years to come. I look
forward to working with Diageo as their Kentucky bourbon operations grow and I welcome
them to this district," said State Representative Brad Montell (District-58).
"We couldn't be more thrilled for the company and the
Shelby County community, as this
major distilling center will bring jobs and increased investment to
the region," said Eric Gregory,
President of the Kentucky Distillers' Association, of which Diageo
is a long-time member. "We applaud Diageo for its continued
commitment to Kentucky and our
signature Bourbon industry, and look forward to toasting this
incredible landmark at its opening."
Over the last year, Diageo's momentum in North American Whiskey
has accelerated with both flagship and new-to-world brands. Fuelled
by flavor innovations and consumer demand for premium brands with
authenticity, bourbon is currently the fastest growing spirits
category in the U.S., enjoying 14% value growth for the latest 52
weeks[1]. This popularity is mirrored globally, with the
super-premium price segment growing 24% over the last three
years[2].
The proposed distillery will be designed to fit in with the
surrounding countryside and during construction, Diageo will take
measures to conserve the natural landscape in the area.
Approximately 100 acres of land around the property line will act
as a natural barrier to site operations. Diageo North America
has a strong record of achieving zero waste to landfill in its
operations, and the company aims to achieve the same in
Kentucky. Diageo also plans to
collaborate with the local community for the recycling and reuse of
materials generated from the proposed facility.
Diageo announced in February that it will be opening a Visitor
Center at its legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery in
Louisville. Diageo hopes that the Stitzel-Weller Visitor
Center will soon be included on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®
tour.
On June 10, Diageo will hold an
Open House to discuss the plans for the proposed Shelby County distillery, answer questions and
hear from members of the public from 2:00 to
7:00 pm at the Shelbyville Country Club, 47 Smithfield Road,
Shelbyville, Kentucky. A public
hearing will be held on June 17 at
6:30 pm at the Stratton Community
Center, 215 Washington Street, Shelbyville, Kentucky. Diageo hopes to receive
approvals and to break ground in the coming months with the goal of
having the distillery operational in late 2016.
About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks
business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands
across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit,
George Dickel, Buchanan's and
Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys,
Captain Morgan, Tanqueray, Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards
Wines.
Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than
180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the
New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).
For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and
performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that
promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice
tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
[1] Nielsen; xAOC less WA, 52 weeks ending 4/26/14
[2] 3 year CAGR, IWSR value 2009-2012
SOURCE Diageo