Beverage company in the UK Diageo has announced the opening of its $50m blending and packaging facility in Relay, Maryland, US.
The company has installed three new bottling lines and upgrades to key production areas of the facility. In the early spring 2012, the site will start to bottle Smirnoff vodka premium spirits brand.
Diageo Americas Supply president David Cutter said the opening of Relay facility is part of the company's ongoing investment in its North American manufacturing network.
"Since 2010, Diageo North America has invested more than $250 million in its production network," Cutter said.
The Relay site was established in 1933 as the first legal distillery in the state of Maryland and underwent major renovations, which began in March 2012. The plant currently produces about 11 million cases annually.
