In a severe blow for the town, Diageo, owners of the Johnnie Walker brand, have decided to close their
bottling / packaging plant in Kilmarnock with the loss of 700 jobs.  A further 200 jobs will be lost at their Port Dundas distillery.

The decision is purely one of financial planning – although worldwide sales are down, the company still makes considerable profits. Loyalty to the town  where the famous whisky brand started it seems is sadly lacking. This is awful news for the whole area and very worrying.

Remember singing the song referred to in the title? Remember the old Johnnie Walker end? Remember your heritage? Remember your local pride? It all means nothing in the cold cold world of business efficiency. Feels like betrayal to all the people that have supported the company all these years.

Diageo  produces  many drinks brands including Guinness, Smirnoff Vodka and Johnnie Walker whisky.

This Killie fan won’t be drinking these any more.

edit:

a full list of Diageo products below (thanks to Sir Duncan Balfour on TAMB).

This underlines how big a company they are. Can’t they afford to keep JW in its historic home?

Aperitif

Picon

Beer

Guiness, Harp Kilkenny, Red Stripe, Saltzenburg, Senator, Smethwicks, Tusker, Windhoek.

Brandy

Bertrams VO

Champagne

Dom Perignon, Moet & Chandon

Cognac

Hennessy

Gin

Gordons, Gilbeys, Tanqueray

Liquers

Baileys, Dulseda, Godiva, Romana Sambuca, Safari

Non – Alcohol

Jose Cuerva Margarita Mix, Kaliber, Malta Guinness

RTD/FMB

Archers Aqua, Jose Cuerva Golden Margarita, Smirnoff Ice, Smirnoff Raw Tea, Ruski, UDL.

Rum

Bundaberg, Captain Morgan, Oronoco.

Schnapps

Archers, Black Haus, Goldschlagger, Rumple Minze.

Tequila

Don Julio, Jose Cuervo.

Vodka

Ciroc, Smirnoff, Tanqueray.

Whisk(e)y

Bells, Benmore Buchanans, Bulleit Bourbon, Bushmills, Black & White, Cardhu, Clan Royal, Dimple, George Dickel, Haig, J & B, Johnnie Walker, Old Parr, Seagrams, Singleton, Slate, Spey Royal, The Real MacKenzie, VAT 69, White Horse, Windsor.

Malts

Caol Ila, Cardhu, Clynelish, Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Glen Elgin, Glen Ord, Glenkinchie, Knockandu, Lagavulin, Oban, Royal Lochnagar, Talisker.

Wine

Barton & Guestier, Beaulieu Vineyard, Blossom Hill, Justerini & Brooks, Sterling Vineyards, Piat D’or.

Quite a list really