I wonder if when James Beam began selling barrels of Whiskey in 1795, he had any idea that his company would launch a global M&A strategy to grow a 3.1 Billion revenue alcohol empire. I doubt it.
Today's company, Beam Suntory, is a very different animal and whether you knew it or not. You've likely drunk (or got drunk) one of their brands. Hows this for travel list: Bourbon whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Scotch, Irish Whiskey, Canadian Whisky, Spanish Whiskey, Japanese Whiskey, Tequila, Cognac, Vodka, Rum, Gin... You get the picture, a lot of brands.
So how does one brand get to own most of the brands? By strategically acquiring them, that's how.
James B Beam purchases National Distillers (undisclosed) and rebrands to Jim Beam Distilling Co.
Fortune Brands acquires Jim Beam Distilling Co.
Fortune Brands acquires Allied Domecq (20+ Brands) for $5 Billion
Fortune goes public and gets acquired by Suntory Holdings and splits out to become Beam Inc.
Beam Inc acquires Cooley Distillery ($95 million)
Beam Inc acquires Pinnacle vodka & Calico Jack Rum ($600 million)
Suntory then buys out Beam Inc. (13.6 Billion)
Today's "Beam Suntory" was born.
Alcohol and M&A... What a mix.
Alcohol and M&A is not solely the reserve of a large corporate entity. Far from it. Most businesses can use some form of this strategy to grow via merger or acquisition and some form of booze to stay sane while doing it. : )
If you want to know more about how your business can grow with M&A, our diary is always open for bookings, so please drop me a message, or schedule a call on the meeting link in the comments.
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