Suntory Time for Beam?

[squire]

What, no commie plot theories yet?

[cowdery]

Just so the xenophobes can at least have a few facts, should they choose to note them, which I realize is unlikely.

The company that owns Budweiser is based in Belgium.

The company that owns Miller is based in South Africa.

The company that owns Wild Turkey is based in Italy.

The company that owns George Dickel and Bulleit is based in England.

The company that owns Four Roses is based in Japan.

And the company that makes Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey is owned by foreigners -- Kentuckians!

All of those companies, of course, including the new Beam-Suntory combine, are public so they're actually owned by shareholders all over the world.

According to Cars.com, the most American vehicle is the Ford F-150 truck, but #2 is the Toyota Camry. Half of the top ten are non-U.S. nameplates.

Edited January 14, 2014 by cowdery

[Josh]

My favorite comments on the Ambassadors' page are the ones from people who are clearly shilling for micros.

"Wow, I'm sticking to American whiskeys from now on! Switching to Joe Blow Micro/Potemkin Bourbon made in Anytown, USA #drinklocal"

[MyOldKyDram]

"Wow, this Cloudmir vodka is making me think fuzzy, I've almost no judgment at all."

[wmpevans]

Japanese folks love their whisky and tobacco. Why wouldn't they want another piece if they have the money to pony up. If anything, we should see a revitalized and reinvigorated brand, as this is an investment being made by folks who share our passion and love for great bourbon. Personally, I can't wait to see how this shakes out over the next few years.

[portwood]

I couldn't give a damn where the profits go. Whether its counted in dollars or yen, it doesn't go in my pocket.

[393foureyedfox]

Let's hope they are reading and following the Four Roses story.

[smokinjoe]

the story, yes......the bourbon, I hope not

[theglobalguy]

The comments section on the Maker's page are equal parts hilarious, sad, and appalling. So hard not to trollololololol every last one of them. Budweiser. 'Merica.

[squire]

The Japanese are the Four Roses story, and the driving force behind the Buffalo Trace single barrel expressions as well. The Japanese have done more for the creation of and availability of modern premium Bourbons than any other identifiable group.

[393foureyedfox]

Major difference. Four Roses needed saving. Beam does not. Unless as it relates to today's possible market realities, it's "Get bigger, or Die".

[Vietish]

What gets me as an Australian reading the FB pages of MM and other Bourbon producers is the amount of people talking about boycotting the brand and how its disgusting to sell to Japanese. Its a classic knee jerk reaction that is flamed by native pride chest beating. I am all for having national pride in your country and what you produce, as we have gone through similar things in Australia with American companies taking over our beloved international recognised brands. But people need to look at the bigger picture. Sure, profits are going to go overseas and while its not ideal, least the product is still being made and produced in America. How many other industries have that benefit? By people stating they will boycott the brands, are just going to hurt local workers.

[smokinjoe]

no, no.....not what I meant.

I meant that I like Beam's stuff just fine as is, whereas I don't care for 4R profile. I appreciate what theyve done with 4R the company, it's just not a taste profile that I care for.

I'm referring to the position of both companies at time of sale. Not, your personal taste preferences.

[jwacky]

Lots of people finding out today that Santa Claus isn't real...

[dementedavenger]

All of those companies, of course, including the new Beam-Suntory combine, are public so they're actually owned by shareholders all over the world.

Suntory is actually privately-held and the company will remain that way after the Beam acquisition. Nobutada Saji, the grandson of company founder Shinjiro Torii, runs Suntory and his family continues to own it. Suntory spun-off some of its soft drink businesses as a publicly-owned company last year but the entire alcohol business is and will remain privately-held.

Anyway, the biggest misconception (i.e. ignorant gripe) seems to involve the Beam family and its ownership of Jim Beam. As Chuck knows well, the Beam family hasn't owned Jim Beam, its brands or distilleries, for more than 80 years.

[theglobalguy]

What gets me as an Australian reading the FB pages of MM and other Bourbon producers is the amount of people talking about boycotting the brand and how its disgusting to sell to Japanese. Its a classic knee jerk reaction that is flamed by native pride chest beating. I am all for having national pride in your country and what you produce, as we have gone through similar things in Australia with American companies taking over our beloved international recognised brands. But people need to look at the bigger picture. Sure, profits are going to go overseas and while its not ideal, least the product is still being made and produced in America. How many other industries have that benefit? By people stating they will boycott the brands, are just going to hurt local workers.

I think it doesn't help that many of the customers assumed the Beam family still owned the company (similar case with Maker's). As i stated above, anyone who likes whiskey should be thankful that the folks who bought it hail from both the spirits industry (could have just as likely been a hedge fund) and from a country that loves the product.

Living in Louisville, i'm within a short drive of Toyota, Subaru and Honda factories/offices, and all their tier 1/2/3 suppliers. Great firms that brought jobs to the region, and who have made it a better place in terms of community involvement and charity support. To think that Suntory (again, a spirits company) wants to come in and screw it up is ridiculous. Is there a risk the product changes, yep, but there always was.

[Ejmharris]

Thank god there is more sanity on this board than the FB pages. I was appalled at some of the responses being posted yesterday.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[qman22]

Lots of people finding out today that Santa Claus isn't real...

yep.......

[tanstaafl2]

I think it doesn't help that many of the customers assumed the Beam family still owned the company (similar case with Maker's). As i stated above, anyone who likes whiskey should be thankful that the folks who bought it hail from both the spirits industry (could have just as likely been a hedge fund) and from a country that loves the product.

Living in Louisville, i'm within a short drive of Toyota, Subaru and Honda factories/offices, and all their tier 1/2/3 suppliers. Great firms that brought jobs to the region, and who have made it a better place in terms of community involvement and charity support. To think that Suntory (again, a spirits company) wants to come in and screw it up is ridiculous. Is there a risk the product changes, yep, but there always was.

Edited January 14, 2014 by tanstaafl2

[White Dog]

I've always liked Bourbons that are made by Beams, such as Fighting Cock, EC, and PHC. Bourbons made by Fortune Brands, not so much.

[marco246]

Suntory is actually privately-held and the company will remain that way after the Beam acquisition. Nobutada Saji, the grandson of company founder Shinjiro Torii, runs Suntory and his family continues to own it. Suntory spun-off some of its soft drink businesses as a publicly-owned company last year but the entire alcohol business is and will remain privately-held.

Anyway, the biggest misconception (i.e. ignorant gripe) seems to involve the Beam family and its ownership of Jim Beam. As Chuck knows well, the Beam family hasn't owned Jim Beam, its brands or distilleries, for more than 80 years.

[OscarV]

You can't get bought unless you want to.

I wonder when Beam wanted to get bought.

Was it before or after when the public said no to watered down Maker's Mark?

Was it even further back in time when they changed their mind about adding stills and rickhouses for Maker's Mark?

Oh well, it doesn't matter now because they are owned by the Japanese who love and respect bourbon.

I am sure Suntory will make both Beam and Maker's Mark (especially MM) a better bourbon in the future.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

You can't get bought unless you want to.

I wonder when Beam wanted to get bought.

Was it before or after when the public said no to watered down Maker's Mark?

Was it even further back in time when they changed their mind about adding stills and rickhouses for Maker's Mark?

Oh well, it doesn't matter now because they are owned by the Japanese who love and respect bourbon.

I am sure Suntory will make both Beam and Maker's Mark (especially MM) a better bourbon in the future.

Every company in the world wants to "get bought". Finding someone willing to pay asking price is what prevents it from happening.

[squire]

I was thinking the same thing Oscar, this has been in the works for awhile and may well explain Beam's reluctance to fund expansion at Makers Mark.

[theglobalguy]

I was thinking the same thing Oscar, this has been in the works for awhile and may well explain Beam's reluctance to fund expansion at Makers Mark.

As a public company, there will generally be a filing with the SEC showing high level timeline and who asked who to the dance. Likely an 8K within next month or so.