Suntory Holdings Limited, the family owned Japanese company that also owns Bowmore, and Beam Inc. (NYSE: BEAM) today (14th January) jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Suntory will acquire all outstanding shares of Beam for US$83.50 per share in cash or total consideration of approximately US$16 billion, ((£9.7bn)) including the assumption of Beam’s outstanding net debt.
The transaction, which has been unanimously approved by each company’s board of directors, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014, subject to Beam stockholders’ approval, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
The transaction will create a stronger global player in premium spirits with its combined portfolio of leading brands now including Beam’s Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbons, Teacher’s and Laphroaig Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, and Pinnacle vodka, and Suntory’s leading Japanese whiskies Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki, and Kakubin, Bowmore Scotch whisky and Midori liqueur. Beam’s President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Shattock and the current Beam management team will continue to lead the business, which will be managed from Beam’s headquarters outside Chicago, Illinois.
Nobutada Saji, President and Chairman of Suntory’s Board, said, “I am delighted that we can announce this agreement with Beam, a company with a portfolio of leading global brands, including Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, and a strong global distribution network. I believe this combination will create a spirits business with a product portfolio unmatched throughout the world and allow us to achieve further global growth. We are particularly excited about the prospect of working more closely with Beam’s excellent management and employees who will play an integral part in the growth of the business.”
The news, which makes Suntory the world’s third largest maker of distilled drinks, comes only months after Diageo, who was considered a potential buyer, said they didn’t need to buy Beam because they were expanding their existing whiskeys and launching new ones.
