Spirit Giant Closes Halethorpe Building

Baltimore Business Journal is reporting that London-based liquor conglomerate Diageo Inc. plans to close a building at its facility on the 5000-block of Washington Boulevard in Halethorpe in July.

The move will result in unemployment for 55 people who work at the plant. In Maryland companies are required to provide notice to the state in advance of layoffs.

The world's largest producer of alcoholic beverages, Diageo sells Smirnoff vodka, Johnnie Walker scotch whisky and Tanqueray gin.

Diageo recently underwent a change in leadership and is re-examining its business and marketing, according to reporting by Wall Street Journal.

Trade press coverage suggests that Diageo is focusing its efforts in growing markets in Africa and Latin America.

According to Diageo, the building that is closing houses its special products operation. According to BBJ, the Halethorpe plant does production, bottling and warehousing.

NOTE: An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported that Diageo is closing its entire facility in Halethorpe. The company is only closing one building, its special products operation.