Beverage producer in talks to take over Diageo plant in Amherstburg, Ont.

An alcoholic beverage producer is in talks to take over the Diageo plant in Amherstburg and all of its unionized employees

An alcoholic beverage producer is in talks to take over the Diageo plant and all of its unionized employees in Amherstburg, Ont., according to the town’s mayor.

At a council meeting Tuesday evening, Mayor Michael Prue shared that the town has been working primarily with one business that is making offers to take over the workforce.

“We have had discussions with one group, and that one group wants to use the Diageo plant and produce alcoholic beverages,” Prue told reporters after the meeting.

In August, Diageo announced it would close the Crown Royal bottling facility by February 2026 in an effort to “streamline its North American supply chain,” by moving some bottling closer to U.S. consumers.

Declining to name the business, Pure said it would include a “much larger operation” than Diageo’s current work.

The announcement follows confirmation by Ontario Premier Doug Ford that three companies are considering opportunities at the plant.

Because Diageo owns the manufacturing plant, businesses would have to purchase the land.

In the event the beverage giant keeps the property, Prue said an alternative building has already been identified.

“There is another building being offered, yes, by someone who owns it here in Amherstburg that would accommodate about half of this new employer’s needs,” Prue said.

A significant draw, Prue explained, is the existing workforce already trained in a similar line of work.

About 200 employees at the plant are represented by Unifor Local 200.

“It’s one of the reasons that they came here,” Prue said.

“Go around the world and open up a new factory and then hire 200 new people, none of whom know what they’re doing. It takes some time, so they really like this idea.”

Prue hopes a firm plan will be in place by the end of this year, so workers can have new roles by February.

“I know the company is really gung ho to do it very quickly,” he said.

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