Brewery
Tasmanian brewery established in 1883 and acquired by Lion in 2007. All of the company's beers are produced in Launceston.
Company Ownership
J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd
AUS
Lion Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd
owns 100% of J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd
AUS
Alcoholic beverages, especially beer
Australia's largest brewer. Formerly known as Lion Nathan Australia. Kirin Holdings of Japan bought the 54% of Lion Nathan it didn't already own in 2009, and then merged it with National Foods to create Lion Nathan National Foods, which became Lion in 2011.
Lion Pty Ltd
owns 100% of Lion Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd
AUS
Beverages
Through a series of mergers and acquisitions between 2002 and 2009, this company became Australia's largest dairy company, largest juice company and second largest brewery. Owned by Japan's Kirin since 2007. Sold its dairy and juice business to Bega Cheese in 2021.
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd
owns 100% of Lion Pty Ltd
JPN
Food, beverage, alcohol and pharmaceuticals manufacturer
Kirin's main businesses include alcohol, soft drinks, pharmaceuticals and food. Japan's largest brewer. Kirin bought Australian dairy & juice company National Foods in 2007, and Dairy Farmers in late 2008, and the 54% of Lion Nathan (Australia's #2 brewer) it didn't already own in 2009. While Kirin is an independent company, it is part of Japan's largest "keiretsu", Mitsubishi Group.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Nov 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website
(2020)
Lion Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
Breaching advertising codes
This company has been criticised for offensive advertising. In 2007 Ad Standards upheld complaints about an ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified.
Source: Ad Standards
(2007)
Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website
(2020)
Lion Pty Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
Carbon neutral company
This company's business operations meet the requirements of the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard, and have been certified carbon neutral since 2020.
Source: Climate Active
(2024)
4/5 for packaging performance
This company received a packaging performance level of 4 (Leading) in its 2024 APCO Annual Report. Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. Each year, APCO Members are required to submit an APCO Annual Report and Action Plan, which includes an overall performance level from 1 (Getting Started) to 5 (Beyond Best Practice).
Source: APCO
(2024)
Renewable energy use
Greenpeace's Reenergise campaign ranks Australia's biggest electricity using companies on their commitments and actions regarding renewable energy use. This company has: committed to powering their operations by 100% renewable electricity by 2030; signed at least one power purchase agreement (PPA) to buy power from a wind or solar project; invested in on-site solar.
Source: Greenpeace
(2021)
Banksia Sustainability Award 2022
This company won the Net Zero Action Award at the 2022 Banksia Sustainability Awards. "Lion is Australia's first large-scale carbon neutral brewer, integrating sustainability into the heart of their business. By 2025, their beers will be brewed using 100% renewable energy and their packaging 100% recyclable."
Source: Banksia Foundation
(2022)
Breaching advertising codes
This company has been criticised for offensive advertising. In 2010 Ad Standards upheld complaints about an ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified.
Source: Ad Standards
(2010)
2013 CHOICE Shonky Award
Named and shamed in the 2013 CHOICE Shonky Awards. According to Choice, Lion's Dairy Farmers Oats Express Liquid Breakfast Banana and Honey, which has pictures of whole oats, banana slices and a honey dipper on the pack, claims to be a smooth "blend of milk, oat fibre and real banana". The ingredients panel reveals the product actually contains banana extract and no honey.
Source: Choice
(2013)
Misleading labelling
In Dec 2010 National Foods' juice line Berri was required to change two of its flagship brands, Australian Fresh and The Daily Juice Company, after an ACCC investigation found the brand names might be misleading customers into believing the juice was 100% freshly-squeezed. Australian Fresh was renamed Australian Grown, while packaging for The Daily Juice Company was altered to reflect the blended nature of the contents.
Source: ACCC
(2010)
Political donations
According to the democracyforsale.net website, this company donated $896,849 to Australia's major political parties between 2012 and 2018, as disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commision (AEC).
Source: Democracy For Sale
(2018)
Opposing a CDS
In 2013 Coca-Cola Amatil, Schweppes Australia and Lion Pty Ltd filed proceedings in the Federal Court challenging the legal validity of the Northern Territory's Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). Other large bottlers like Fosters and Diageo have not joined the court case. A CDS has been proven worldwide to be the best way to increase collection and recycling. The Boomerang Alliance estimates a CDS would increase recovery by 80%.
Source: news article
(2013)
DrinkWise contributor
This company makes voluntary contributions to DrinkWise Australia, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2005 by the alcohol industry, whose stated goal is to help bring about a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia.
Source: DrinkWise
(2024)
RCMI signatory
This company is a signatory to the Responsible Children's Marketing Initiative (RCMI), which is managed by the Australian Food & Grocery Council and covers products found in retail outlets. Companies that have signed up to the initiative commit to: only advertising healthier choices to children and encouraging a healthy lifestyle through good diet and physical activity; not paying for or seeking product placement television programs, editorial content or interactive games aimed at children, unless the product is a healthier choice; not advertising and marketing to children in Australian schools unless they are asked to by those schools.
Source: AANA
(2023)
Employer of Choice for Gender Equality
This company is listed by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as a Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation holder. The citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.
Source: WGEA
(2022)
ABAC signatory
This company has signed the ABAC Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code, which is designed to regulate alcohol advertising and marketing within Australia.
Source: ABAC
(2021)
Sustainability claims
This company has a number of sustainability claims on its website, including in the areas of tax transparency and environmental performance.
Source: company website
(2020)
Workers rights
On 13 January 2010, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), following endorsement from union members at Berri Juices in Sydney, signed a new collective agreement which secured conditions and brought long delayed wage rises. Industrial actions leading up to agreement included the first workers strike in Berri's history.
Source: IUF
(2010)
Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website
(2020)
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of A-.
Source: CDP
(2023)
CDP Water Security score of A
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of A.
Source: CDP
(2023)
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Good" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA
(2023)
10/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 10/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
59/100 in TIME rankings
World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2024 by TIME and Statista recognises the Top 500 most sustainable companies in the world. From a selection of 5,000 of the world's largest companies, non-sustainable businesses were excluded, and the remaining companies were rated on Commitment & Ratings, Reporting & Transparency, and Environmental & Social Stewardship. This company received a total score of 58.8/100, ranking 332nd overall.
Source: TIME
(2024)
32.1% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2023 and is ranked #61/816, with a total score of 32.1/100.
Animal Testing
This company appears on PETA's list of food and beverage companies that tests on animals, signifying that: it has not signed PETA's Statement of Assurance document; has definitively conducted, funded, commissioned, or allowed animal testing that is not explicitly required by law or by written requirements by government agencies; and has not adequately resolved this issue in private discussions with PETA.
Source: PETA
(2024)
18.7% in Gender Benchmark
The 2023 Gender Benchmark ranks 112 companies from the apparel and food and agriculture sectors on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, violence and harassment, and marketplace and community. This company ranked #68/112, with a total score of 18.7%. The average score was 23% and the highest score was 55%.
32/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 32/100 in the Beverages category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 23 Sep 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global
(2022)
Previous involvement with Burma
From Dec 2018 to Feb 2021 Kirin appeared on Burma Campaign UK's 'Dirty List' of companies assisting the Burmese military to continue to commit human rights violations and environmental destruction. In Burma Kirin was in a joint venture, Myanmar Breweries, with the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, which is controlled by and for the benefit of the military. This subsidiary has also donated money to the Burmese military. Kirin announced they would end their relationship with the Myanmar military after it staged a coup in Feb 2021.
Source: Burma Campaign UK
(2021)
49.8% in Newsweek Green Rankings 2012
This company received a score of 49.8/100 in the Newsweek Green Rankings 2012, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on their environmental footprint, management (policies, programs, initiatives, controversies) and reporting practices, using data from Trucost and Sustainalytics.
Source: Newsweek
(2012)
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty; commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
FSC certification
This company holds Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification, and sells products certified as FSC Mix and FSC Recycled.
Source: FSC
(2023)
IARD member
This company is a member of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking. IARD is affiliated with the United Nations.
Source: IARD
(2021)
UN Global Compact participant
The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.
Source: UN Global Compact
(2020)
CSV claims
This company has Creating Shared Value claims on its website
Source: company website
(2015)
22.7% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 22.7%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website
(2020)
Genetic Engineering & Animal Rights
USA biotech company Hematech Inc. genetically modify cattle for human antibody production. Hematech was previously a subsidiary of Kirin's pharmaceutical division (Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co) until Dec 2012 when it was acquired by Sanford Health and rebranded Sanford Applied Biosciences, LLC.
Source: company website
(2012)
35% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2023 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #38/350, with a total score of 35/100.
Company Details
Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Employees:
150
(2010)