Alcoholic beverages, especially wine
Australia's second largest wine company. Previously known as Constellation Brands. Acquired by CHAMP Private Equity in 2010, Carlyle Group in 2018, and a consortium led by Bain Capital in 2024. Bought Pernod Ricard's wine division in Australia and New Zealand in 2024.
Company Ownership
Accolade Wines Australia Ltd
AUS
Bain Capital LP
owns 100% of Accolade Wines Australia Ltd
USA
Private equity firm
Has made investments in more than 250 companies since 1984 including Toys'R'Us, MYOB and Gymboree. Bain has about US$185 billion in assets. Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate for USA president in 2012, was a co-founder of the company.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Oct 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Accolade Wines Australia Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
5/5 for packaging performance
This company received the highest packaging performance level of 5 (Beyond Best Practice) 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)
Political donations
According to the democracyforsale.net website, this company donated $70,000 to Australia's major political parties between 2012 and 2018, as disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commision (AEC).
Source: Democracy For Sale
(2018)
Organic products
Company retails, manufactures or distributes products that are certified organic under the Australian Certified Organic label.
Source: ACO
(2022)
Product carbon footprint label
This company has products that are certified by the Carbon Trust, signifying that the carbon footprint of selected products has been measured, managed and reduced. A life cycle product carbon footprint is determined by calculating the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by a product, from extraction of raw-materials, to end-of-life.
Source: Carbon Trust
(2022)
Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certified
This company owns and operates vineyards certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, a voluntary program that focuses on several key areas: land and soil, water, people and business, biodiversity, energy, and waste.
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)
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)
Modern Slavery disclosure quality
Human Rights Law Centre's 2022 report, "Broken Promises: Two years of corporate reporting under Australia's Modern Slavery Act", examines statements submitted to the Government's Modern Slavery Register by 92 companies sourcing from four sectors with known risks of modern slavery: garments from China, rubber gloves from Malaysia, seafood from Thailand and fresh produce from Australia. Modern slavery statements are analysed to see if they comply with the mandatory reporting requirements, identify or disclose obvious modern slavery risks, and demonstrate effective actions to address risks. This company's modern slavery disclosure statement received a rating in the 41-60% range. The average score was 44% and the highest score was 89%.
Source: Human Rights Law Centre
(2022)
Bain Capital LP
Praise
Criticism
Information
Pillaging American retail
In 2005, Toys "R" Us was purchased in a US$6.6 billion leveraged buyout by private equity firms Bain Capital, KKR, and Vornado Realty Trust. While Toys "R" Us' revenues remained steady over the next 13 years - US$11.1 billion in sales in 2017 - the retailer was saddled with debt it couldn't repay. By 2007, 97% of the company's operating income was consumed by interest, which left the company unable to upgrade technology or evolve its business model. The heavy debt load eventually led Toy "R" Us to file for bankruptcy in 2018. The company liquidated in June of 2018 and closed their remaining 800 stores. Over 33,000 employees of the company lost their jobs and their severance payments in bankruptcy court. The PE companies controlling the Toys "R" Us bankruptcy refused buyers that would have saved thousands of jobs and instead chose liquidation to maximize the financial extraction. The private equity firms that owned Toys "R" Us collected more than $470 million in fees and interest from the retailer over the ownership period, while a total of 64,000 jobs were lost.
Source: United 4 Respect
(2019)
0/20 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 2022 and received a score of 0/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
2.9% in Financial System Benchmark
The 2022 Financial System Benchmark ranks 400 financial institutions across three measurement areas: governance and strategy, respecting planetary boundaries (environment, climate and biodiversity) and adhering to societal conventions (human rights). This company ranked #304/400, with a total score of 2.9/100.
Political donations
This company is on OpenSecrets.org's list of "Top Donors", a list of the 100 biggest givers in US federal-level politics since 1990. Companies on this list lobby and spend big, with large sums sent to candidates, parties and leadership PACs. This company comes in at number 54 on the list, with contributions totalling $65,780,064 between 1990 and 2024.
Source: Open Secrets
(2024)
Workers rights in China
This 2012 report by the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights reveals how Bain Capital owned Sensata Technologies pays their young women workers in China just 99 cents to $1.35 an hour to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week. These workers have no freedom of religion, no freedom of speech, no political freedoms and no right to the International Labor Organization's internationally recognized labor rights standards. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: Global Labour Rights
(2012)
$54m collusion settlement
In 2014 this company agreed to pay US$54 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that the Boston firm and several other major private equity firms colluded to keep rivals from outbidding them on giant buyout deals.
Source: Boston Globe
(2014)
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)
ESG claims
This company has ESG claims on its website in 5 key areas: Active Governance & Stewardship; Sustainable Growth & Reducing Climate Impact; Fair Employment, Engagement & Well-being; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; and Community Engagement.
Source: company website
(2024)
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)
Corruption
Mitt Romney, US presidential candidate in 2012, was head of this company when fraud was committed. When the fraud was reported to the US Department of Justice (2001), he 'retroactively retired'(1999) to conceal his involvement and avoid investigation. President George W. Bush's appointment of a lawyer from this company's secret law firm as a US Attorney guaranteed Romney would not be investigated despite public docket records, FEC and SEC filings showing that he profited from corruption, fraud and racketeering.
Source: Politicus USA
(2012)
Company Details
Type:
Private company
Founded:
1836
Contact Details
Address:
Reynell Road, Reynella, SA, 5161, Australia
Freecall:
1800 088 711
Website: