By James Atkinson
Suntory Holdings has completed the acquisition of all outstanding shares of Beam Inc, which has now been renamed Beam Suntory Inc, the world's number three spirits company.
The rebadged Beam entity plans to integrate the spirits business of Suntory Liquors Limited before the end of this year.
Beam Suntory will be headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois and led by chairman and CEO Matt Shattock, who has been CEO of Beam since 2009.
Looking ahead, Beam Suntory aims to achieve growth in markets worldwide by leveraging its combined portfolio of leading brands and its strengthened global distribution network, the company said.
“By combining the world leader in bourbon and Japan’s leading spirits company, we have created a stronger global business with an even better premium portfolio,” Shattock said.
"I’m particularly excited about what brings us together – a strong cultural fit based on the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of two companies with common values and proud heritages rooted in multi-generational family businesses."
Beam Suntory has combined annual sales of $4.6 billion excluding excise tax, the company said.