- Business
- Diageo plc produces and distributes premium alcoholic beverages worldwide; headquartered in London, England, and founded in 1997 through the merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan plc, the company operates from 132 sites across nearly 180 countries with a portfolio exceeding 200 brands spanning spirits, beer, and non-alcoholic options. Core products include Scotch whisky such as Johnnie Walker, Lagavulin, Talisker, and Singleton; vodka including Smirnoff, Cîroc, and Ketel One; tequila encompassing Don Julio, Casamigos, and DeLeón; rum such as Captain Morgan, Zacapa, and Bundaberg; beer led by Guinness and variants like Guinness Foreign Extra Stout; gin featuring Tanqueray and Gordon's; liqueurs including Baileys; and non-alcoholic spirits like Seedlip and Ritual Zero Proof; additional offerings cover American whiskey (Bulleit, George Dickel), Irish whiskey (Roe & Co), cachaça (Ypióca), baijiu (Shui Jing Fang), and ready-to-drink products. The company serves wholesalers, retailers, e-commerce platforms, and on-premise outlets, deriving nearly 40% of revenue from North America while emphasizing premiumization, sustainability via its Spirit of Progress plan, and operations segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America and Caribbean. Recent developments encompass the reopening of Port Ellen distillery in March 2024 after 40 years; acquisition of Ritual Zero Proof non-alcoholic spirits in September 2024; formation of Diageo Luxury Group in November 2024 to focus on luxury spirits and experiences; sale of Cacique rum to La Martiniquaise in January 2025; divestiture of 80.4% stake in Guinness Ghana Breweries to Castel Group for $81 million in January 2025 while retaining brand rights; signing of agreement in June 2025 to sell its Italian beverage plant (Diageo Operations Italy) to NewPrinces safeguarding 349 jobs pending closure by end-2025; and transfer of majority North American Cîroc ownership to Main Street Advisors in June 2025.