News Release

SUNTORY HOLDINGS AND BEAM SUNTORY CONTRIBUTE $1 MILLION TO SUPPORT RECOVERY FROM DEVASTATING TORNADOS IN KENTUCKY

Tokyo, Japan, December 16, 2021 -- Suntory Holdings, a global leader in the beverage industry, and subsidiary company Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits, have pledged $1 million to organizations providing relief and recovery in the wake of the powerful tornados that devastated communities in western Kentucky and several other states.

“Our sincerest sympathies go out to all who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses. Kentucky is the heart and soul of our company, and Suntory Group is committed to supporting Kentucky communities as they recover from this crisis in the spirit of our fundamental value of giving back to society,” said Tak Niinami, CEO of Suntory Holdings.

“The quick response to this heartbreaking tragedy by first responders, relief organizations, government agencies and neighbors helping neighbors has been inspiring,” said Beam Suntory CEO Albert Baladi. “While our facilities and teams were spared the worst of this catastrophe, we stand with our neighbors and offer this support on behalf of the more than 1,200 people of Beam Suntory in Kentucky.”

The donation will be divided equally between the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, which has been established by Governor Beshear to assist those impacted by the tornados, and the American Red Cross’s disaster relief fund. In addition, Beam Suntory is matching personal donations by US employees to relief organizations, some employees are using paid Beam Suntory Cares Days to volunteer their time to support the recovery, and the company has donated single-barrel bourbon from Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek to a charity auction organized by the Kentucky Distillers Association.

Suntory Holdings and Beam Suntory have jointly supported several previous humanitarian relief efforts, including recovery from Hurricane Maria in the US Virgin Islands, earthquake relief in Mexico, and recovery measures related to the global pandemic in numerous countries.

About Suntory Holdings
As a global leader in the beverage industry, Suntory Holdings offers a uniquely diverse portfolio of products from premium spirits, beer and wine to brewed teas, bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, ready-to-drink coffee and energy drinks, along with health and wellness products. Suntory is home to award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu as well as iconic American spirits Jim Beam and Maker's Mark. Suntory also fascinates the taste buds in Japan and the Asian market with our Premium Malt's beer and also owns the exceptional Japanese wine Tomi and the world famous Château Lagrange. Its brand collection also includes Sauza Tequila, non-alcoholic favorites Orangina, Lucozade, Ribena, BOSS coffee, Iyemon green tea, Suntory Tennensui water, TEA+ Oolong Tea, V and BRAND’S, as well as popular health and wellness product Sesamin EX.

Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory Group has grown into a global company operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania with an annual revenue (excluding excise taxes) of $20.4 billion in 2020. Suntory is driven by Yatte Minahare - the spirit of bold ambition - and our 40,044 employees worldwide draw upon our unique blend of Japanese artisanship and global tastes to explore new product categories and markets.

As a company that delivers blessings of water and nature to our customers, Suntory is committed to its mission to create harmony with people and nature. Always aspiring to grow for good, Suntory is devoted to giving back to society through protecting water resources, nurturing its communities and fostering the arts.

Learn more about Suntory Group, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility at www.suntory.com, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About Beam Suntory
As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark® bourbon brands and Courvoisier® cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Basil Hayden®, Knob Creek®, and Legent™ bourbon; Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™ Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore® Scotch whisky; Canadian Club® whisky; Hornitos® and Sauza® tequila; EFFEN®, Haku® and Pinnacle® vodka; Sipsmith® and Roku™ gin; and On The Rocks® Premium Cocktails. 

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good, which now includes its transformative sustainability strategy, Proof Positive. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com. 

© 2021 Beam Suntory, Inc., Merchandise Mart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60654