Drinks giant Diageo has opened its blending and packaging facility in Relay, Maryland on 12 November 2012.

The company, which processes and bottles Jose Cuervo, Captain Morgan and Seagram’s brands of distilled spirits, has invested over $50m on the new manufacturing operation.

It has installed three new high speed bottling lines and has upgraded the key production areas.

The facility can now process and bottle other major brands including the Smirnoff vodka, which the company plans to bottle by early spring 2012.

The plant is known as one of Diageo’s most efficient processing facilities globally, with current production capacity of approximately 11 million cases per year.

Diageo Americas supply president David Cutter said the opening of Relay is a part of Diageo’s continuous investment in North America manufacturing network.

"We are creating best-in-class operations that are more efficient, cost effective and environmentally sustainable," Cutter added.

"Since 2010, Diageo North America has invested more than $250 million in its production network. This facility is a testament to our dedicated workforce here in Maryland a prime example of Diageo’s continued commitment to local manufacturing."

Baltimore County executive Kevin Kamenetz said Diageo’s investment in its Baltimore County plant and workers is based on a principle – manufacturing products near your customers makes business sense.