LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- After a seven year
hiatus, bottling of one of the most iconic whiskey brands in the
world has flown home. Gruppo Campari (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg
CPR IM) today celebrated the grand opening of its US$43 million Packaging Facility at the famous
Wild Turkey® Distillery in Lawrenceburg,
Kentucky. Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and Gruppo Campari CEO Bob
Kunze-Concewitz joined Wild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell
to commemorate the opening of the new facility with help from local
dignitaries and distillery employees. The Packaging Facility is
part of a US$100 million overall
investment that the company has made in facility upgrades during a
three year time span.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130910/NY76920)
"Kentucky's Bourbon industry
has been growing at a rapid pace, with production of our native
spirit up more than 120 percent in the last decade and 5 million
barrels currently aging in the Commonwealth," said Gov. Beshear.
"The significant investment Gruppo Campari has made at the Wild
Turkey Distillery, including the $43
million Packaging Facility, will not only help grow that
number through worldwide expansion of the Bourbon category, but
will also create valuable jobs for the people of our great
Commonwealth."
While creating more than sixty new jobs in the area, the
facility provides full bottling and packaging capabilities for all
of Gruppo Campari's U.S.-distilled spirits brands, including the
Wild Turkey Bourbon line and the company's largest U.S.-based brand
– SKYY® Vodka. Both immediate and long-term benefits of
the new facility include cost efficiencies; improved customer
service; more efficient and accelerated innovation opportunities;
and added production flexibility through in-sourcing the company's
packaging needs.
With more than 145,000 square-feet of space, the Wild Turkey
Packaging Facility will initially handle up to four million
nine-liter cases of product annually, but has the design capability
and capacity to support Gruppo Campari's North American packaging
platform well into the future. The new Facility immediately
addresses the growth of Wild Turkey, Wild Turkey American
Honey®, Wild Turkey Spiced®, Wild Turkey
Kentucky Spirit, Russell's Reserve®, Rare
Breed® Bourbon, and SKYY Vodka domestically and around
the globe.
"After a seven year absence, we are pleased to bring packaging
capabilities back to the Wild Turkey Distillery for two of Gruppo
Campari's biggest and fastest growing brands," said Bob
Kunze-Concewitz, CEO of Gruppo Campari. "By owning the full
production process for all of our Wild Turkey brands, we can be
more nimble in meeting the growing worldwide demand for not only
Wild Turkey, but also SKYY Vodka. We thank the Commonwealth of
Kentucky for its cooperation in
bringing this facility to life."
"Gruppo Campari's investment in the Wild Turkey Bourbon brand
not only demonstrates their commitment to helping Wild Turkey
produce our fine Bourbon and Rye whiskeys, but also to the people
of Kentucky through job creation
and tax revenue," said Jimmy
Russell, Wild Turkey Master Distiller. "By having full
control of our entire production process from distilling and aging
to bottling and packaging, we can focus on what really matters:
producing the world's greatest Bourbon."
Since purchasing the brand in 2009, Gruppo Campari has made
significant financial commitments to the distillery's operations
and its employees that have surpassed more than US$100 million. In 2011, the Company unveiled a
US$50 million expansion at the
distillery, more than doubling the plant's production
capabilities. This was coupled with the opening of multiple
new barrel warehouses over the past several years. In 2014, Wild
Turkey will open a new state-of-the-art Visitor Center.
The popularity of Kentucky's
native spirit has exploded worldwide, with demand for Wild Turkey
at its highest level in history. The Wild Turkey brand currently
sells more than one million nine-liter cases worldwide (IMPACT
Databank), with strong growth in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and Japan. Wild Turkey is the sixth largest global Bourbon
brand (excluding sales of American Honey). Wild Turkey and SKYY Vodka are both distributed and
marketed through Campari America in the US, Canada and Puerto
Rico.
About Campari America
Campari America is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI -
Bloomberg CPR IM). At the heart of Campari America are two
legends in the American spirits industry. The first, Skyy
Spirits, was founded in San
Francisco back in 1992 by the entrepreneur who invented
iconic SKYY Vodka. The second is the world-famous Wild Turkey
Distillery in Lawrenceburg,
Kentucky, where they have been making the world's finest
whiskies since the 1800's. Both companies were purchased by
Davide Campari-Milano and together they form Campari America, which
has built a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and
style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and
consumers. Campari America manages Gruppo Campari's portfolio
in the US with such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®,
Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®,
Russell's Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo
Wabo® Tequila, Espolon® Tequila, Appleton® Estate Rum, Wray &
Nephew® Rum, Coruba® Rum, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®,
Frangelico®, Cynar®, Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur,
Sagatiba® Cachaca and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Campari America is
also the exclusive US distributor of Bowmore® Islay Single Malt
Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky,
Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, McClelland's®
Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Cana® Rum, Midori® Melon
Liqueur, Hibiki® Whisky, Hakushu® Single Malt Whisky, and The
Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.
Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More
information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com,
www.facebook.com/campariamerica , Twitter: @CampariAmerica and
www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Campari America brands
responsibly and in moderation.
About Gruppo Campari
Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A.,
together with its affiliates ('Gruppo Campari'), is a major player
in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations
around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. The Group was founded
in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in
the premium spirits industry. The Group's portfolio, with over 50
brands, span spirits, the core business, wines and soft drinks.
Internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton,
Campari, Cinzano, SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey. Headquartered in
Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari owns 16 plants and 4 wineries
worldwide and has its own distribution network in 16 countries. The
Group employs over 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company,
Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM),
are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more
information: www.camparigroup.com.
SOURCE Gruppo Campari