Caribbean spirits producer Angostura, which purchased the former Seagram's distillery and bottling plant in Lawrenceburg, Ind., earlier this year, recently announced plans to make the Lawrenceburg facility the flagship of the company's expanding operations and establish a U.S. corporate headquarters.

"We're delighted to expand our presence in Lawrenceburg and elsewhere in the United States, and the establishment of a U.S. headquarters is a first step to accomplishing that goal," said Lawrence A. Duprey, chairman of CL Financial, Angostura's parent company. "With this acquisition we have the ability to provide a one-stop-shop for the distillation, maturation, blending, bottling and packaging of alcoholic beverages in the white and brown spirit sectors."

The Angostura distillery in Lawrenceburg, incorporated as Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana LLC, is the single largest spirits distillery in the U.S. It produces 9 percent of the total U.S. domestic spirits consumption. This includes more than 31 percent of the domestic gin demand, 18 percent of the domestic vodka demand and 14 percent of the domestic whiskey demand.

Angostura's purchase of the Lawrenceburg facility earlier this year preserved about 150 jobs at the distillery. The former owner, Pernod-Ricard USA, had earlier announced plans to close the plant completely in order to divest of excess capacity after the acquisition of Allied Domecq. This would have cost more than 400 jobs.

No brands were acquired in the sale; those were retained by Pernod Ricard USA. As a result, Angostura will be the largest independent alcoholic spirits producer in the U.S. and an integral part of the supply chain for several multinational spirit brands. Angostura expects that the independent operator status and favorable economies of scale will make it an attractive supplier for distillates and bottling. Company officials believe the site in Lawrenceburg provides an almost ideal central location, with perfect infrastructure and distribution access via road, rail and barge.

Assets in the transaction include a 940,000 grain bushel storage capacity (located in Rushville, Ind.), 27.5 million USPG annual distillation capacity spanning 78 acres, a maturing warehouse capacity in excess of 400,000 barrels and a 196,000-square-foot bottling facility capable of bottling 18 million cases annually.

"We have engaged engineers and surveyors to inspect the operations of the plant and their indications are that it has been maintained and operated at a higher standard than most other distilleries in the U.S.," explained Duprey. "This is a fitting tribute to the management team we have retained, led by plant manager Rick Brock, as well as the skills and training of the entire work force. The quality our product is at the premium end of the industry."

Angostura, which is based in Trinidad and Tobago, is a leading rum producer. It is famous for manufacturing its namesake world famous Angostura Aromatic Bitters since 1824. Its brands include Angostura 1919 Rum, Angostura sauces, Caribbean Club Rum Punch, Scottish Leader Scotch whiskey, HINE cognacs and blu Vodka.

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