Liquor wholesaling
In 2025 Suntory is combining all its assets in Australia and New Zealand to form Suntory Oceania. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has been Suntory's alcohol distribution partner in Australia since 2007, but this ends in 2025.
Company Ownership
Beam Suntory Australia Pty Ltd
AUS
Suntory Global Spirits Inc
owns 100% of Beam Suntory Australia Pty Ltd
USA
Alcohol, especially spirits
Formerly Beam Suntory. World's third largest spirits company. In 2014 Suntory acquired Beam Inc for US$16b and renamed the company as Beam Suntory. Distributed in Australia by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.
Suntory Holdings Ltd
owns 100% of Suntory Global Spirits Inc
JPN
Beverage manufacturer
Suntory is Japan's leading producer and distributor of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. They are also involved in pharmaceuticals, restaurant operation, sports, music and film, resort development, publishing, and information services. Bought Europe's Orangina Schweppes Group in 2009 and USA's Beam Inc in 2014. Suntory's founding family owns about 90% of the privately held company. Part of the Mitsui keiretsu.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Nov 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Beam Suntory Australia Pty Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
Breaching advertising codes
Jim Beam has been criticised for trivialising criminal issues such as stalking. In 2008 Ad Standards upheld complaints with regards to a tv ad for Jim Beam Bourbon on the grounds it could be distressing and it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently taken off the air.
Source: Ad Standards
(2008)
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)
Suntory Global Spirits Inc
Praise
Criticism
Information
100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign
(2021)
Bribery in India
In 2018 this company agreed to pay more than $8 million as penalty for settling a case involving bribery by its India subsidiary of government officials to increase sales, process licences and facilitate distribution of distilled spirit products.
Source: news article
(2018)
Marketing Guide
Follow the link to see this company's Drink Smart website, which provides information about responsible drinking and eliminating alcohol abuse.
Source: company website
(2015)
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)
Responsibility claims
This company has a number of responsibility claims on its website in the areas of responsible business, responsible drinking, philanthropy and environment.
Source: company website
(2015)
Certified B Corporation
One of this company's US distilleries, Maker's Mark Distillery, is a Certified B Corporation. Certified B Corporations use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corps meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards; meet higher legal accountability standards; and build business constituency for good business.
Source: B Corporation
(2022)
Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: company website
(2017)
OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets
(2024)
Suntory Holdings 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)
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 58.9/100, ranking 328th overall.
Source: TIME
(2024)
6.42% for supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 6.42/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE
(2023)
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)
Unsustainable palm oil use
This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for their use of palm oil, signifying they are using no or minimal certified palm products, and with no or minimal positive commitments.
Source: Ethical Consumer
(2023)
Access to Nutrition rating
The Global Access to Nutrition Index 2024 assessed 30 of the world's largest food and beverage manufacturers on their performance to improve access to nutritious foods. Companies are assessed on the nutritional quality of their product portfolios in 25 global markets, plus policies, practices, and transparency relating to nutrition. Of the 30 companies ranked, this company came 22nd.
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.
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)
CSR claims
This company has extensive corporate social responsibility claims on its website.
Source: company website
(2020)
Eco Brand Index
Suntory has been the top ranked company five years in a row in Nikkei Business Publications' Eco Brand Index. The survey is conducted annually through an Internet-based questionnaire, which looks into how environmental efforts of leading 560 companies in Japan are received by consumers. The survey received valid responses from 19,639 consumers. The four indices of 'contact with environmental information', 'environmental communication', 'environmental image' and 'environmental evaluation' constitute the Eco Brand Index.
Source: Nikkei BP
(2015)
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative member
This company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.
Source: SAI Platform
(2023)
Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website
(2020)
22.3% 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 #50/112, with a total score of 22.3%. The average score was 23% and the highest score was 55%.
9/20 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 9/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
Genetic Engineering
Suntory subsidiary, Florigene Pty Ltd, develop genetically engineered flowers.
Source: company website
(2020)
29.7% 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 #64/350, with a total score of 29.7/100.
27.6% 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 #113/816, with a total score of 27.6/100.
Company Details
Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue:
247 million AUD
(2018)
Employees:
70
(2018)
Contact Details
Address:
Level 2, Building 2, 49 Frenchs Forest Road, Frenchs Forest, NSW, 2086, Australia
Phone:
02 8977 9700
Website: