CELEBRATION Brands officially opened its distribution centre on Spanish Town Road yesterday.

The joint venture, which sells and distributes all of Red Stripe, Diageo and Pepsi brands in Jamaica, is claimed to be the largest distribution and sale company locally.

Headed by Gustavo Flamenco, the company made $23.8 million in profit from $1.8 billion in revenue during the three months to June 30.

According to Celebration’s Chairman, Cedric Blair the distributor aims to “not only drive economies of scale, but to fuelling economic growth for our companies, our people”.

Indeed, the beer manufacturer’s domestic revenue climbed from 14 per cent, from $1.87 billion (excluding sales tax) for the three months to June 30, 2012 to $2.1 billion during the review period, although profit for the local segment fell by five per cent to $523 million.

Pepsi Cola Jamaica, which is not a publicly listed company, has not disclosed its financial performance for the three-month period — the first quarter of operations for the joint venture.

Celebration Brands employs 700 Jamaicans, some coming from both companies, with an estimated 200 new jobs created under this structure.