By the end of July, Diageo will shut down bottling operations in Relay, according to a statement from a Diageo spokesperson.
The company spokesperson said the decision to cease bottling operations in Maryland was the result of slow business at the Relay site.
"Following a comprehensive analysis of business and market factors, we have decided to cease bottling operations there in order to help optimize our supply footprint," read a statement from the company."Our goal is to ensure that our manufacturing network is operating efficiently and that we create the foundation for long term sustainable growth for Diageo."
The move comes just three years after the British spirits, wine and beer company unveiled an upgraded plant at the southwestern Baltimore County site on Washington Boulevard.
"This facility is a testament to our dedicated workforce here in Maryland a prime example of Diageo's continued commitment to local manufacturing," said David Cutter, president of Diageo Americas Supply, in a 2012 release about the $50 million upgrade. According to a company spokesperson, the Relay site currently employs 103 people.
Baltimore County 1st District Councilman Tom Quirk, whose district includes southwest Baltimore County, said the loss of the bottling business is a loss for the whole community.
Until he found out about the decision a couple of weeks ago, it had looked like Diageo was there to stay, he said.
"It was quite surprising," he said, noting the large investment the company made in the facility in 2012. "They were a good business for this area."
Now, he said, the community's focus must shift to absorbing the jobs that will be lost this summer.
"It's a hit to this area, in terms of economically." he said. "But we'll bounce back."
Though bottling operations are expected to stop by the end of July, employees will likely be permitted to stay in their roles until the end of August, the spokesperson's statement said.
The site's existing warehousing and processing operation will continue for the time being.