Beam Suntory Celebrates World Water Day, Deepening Commitment to Water & the Environment
Beam Suntory Celebrates World Water Day, Deepening Commitment to Water & the Environment
CHICAGO, March 22, 2019 – Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits, has deepened ties with a leading conservation and education organization neighboring its largest distillery in Kentucky, and forged a new relationship with a river protection organization near its global headquarters in Chicago.
The maker of Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon, Courvoisier cognac and Hibiki Japanese whisky announced these developments in recognition of World Water Day.
“Water is at the center of nearly every product we create,” Beam Suntory Chairman & CEO Matt Shattock said. “We are committed to preserving and protecting this precious natural resource, and the surrounding environment, for future use in our products, and for the communities where we live and work.”
Inspired by parent company Suntory Holdings’ leadership in this area, Beam Suntory has established Natural Water Sanctuaries at its Maker’s Mark distillery, and near its Jim Beam distillery. The Jim Beam Natural Water Sanctuary is an Alliance with Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, the largest privately held contiguous forest block in the Eastern United States dedicated to conservation and education.
Beam Suntory and Bernheim recently extended their partnership to a five-year agreement, with the goal of protecting water quality, restoring wildlife habitats, and reintroducing native plants and trees on Bernheim grounds immediately adjacent to the Jim Beam distillery. They will also work to enhance environmental education in the community, within Beam Suntory, and at visitor experiences at both locations.
To celebrate World Water Day, the Jim Beam American Stillhouse team is teaming up with Bernheim representatives to share the importance of protecting water and the environment with distillery visitors. Guests will receive a reusable water bottle, Jim Beam will make a donation to further environmental education, and legal-drinking-age guests can enjoy specially themed cocktails.
Beam Suntory is also forging a partnership with the Friends of the Chicago River, a 40-year-old organization working to improve the health of the Chicago River system for the benefit of people, plants and animals. The partnership is focused on preserving and protecting the local waterway, and will include regular employee volunteer commitments.
Beam Suntory has eliminated the use of plastic straws at its global headquarters, and has committed to eliminate single-use plastics for food and beverages by the end of 2019. Within the last year, Beam Suntory employees have volunteered to clear waterways in Singapore, Taiwan, California and Chicago, and plant trees in Japan, Madrid, New York and Kentucky.
CONTACT:
Emily York
Beam Suntory Inc.
224.279.5728
emily.york@beamsuntory.com