Beam Suntory Unveils Inaugural Sustainability Report

Beam Suntory Unveils Inaugural Sustainability Report

Report outlines progress since the company launched its Proof Positive strategy in 2021

CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2022 – Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits, and producer of iconic brands like Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, published its inaugural sustainability report outlining its progress against its Proof Positive strategy, which was launched in 2021.

“As we progress against our Proof Positive goals to combat climate change, reduce harmful drinking, and give back to our communities, our sustainability report is an important way we will share our progress and increase transparency,” said Albert Baladi, Beam Suntory President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud of the actions and achievements detailed in the 2021 report in what we consider a foundational year.

“It’s inspiring to see how our people have embraced Proof Positive and contributed to our progress in so many meaningful ways,” continued Baladi, “We’re now mid-way through 2022 and we continue to make investments to advance our sustainability strategy.”  

With a commitment to achieving a net positive impact on the environment, with consumers, within its communities, and with its employees, Beam Suntory is advancing ambitious long-term sustainability goals. Across Proof Positive’s three pillars, Beam Suntory’s FY21 sustainability highlights include:

Nature Positive

Joined the Race to Zero campaign and increased use of renewable energy with nearly 100% of our global sites purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates and/or generating renewable power onsite.

Installed closed-loop cooling at the Jim Beam Clermont facility in Kentucky, reducing the average volume of water the facility recirculated from the lake for cooling by over 35 million gallons per month.

Supported restoration and protection of a sub-basin of the Lerma–Santiago river basin in Mexico through the Charco Bendito Project’s reforestation, soil conservation and aquifer recharging efforts.

Established the first Peatland Water Sanctuary in Scotland, investing more than $4 million to restore and conserve 1,300 hectares of peatland by 2030.

Consumer Positive

Began applying macro-nutritional labeling to key brands across Europe and the US as part of our voluntary global commitments to increase information available to consumers.

Increased options for lower and no alcohol by volume drinks with Sipsmith®’s FreeGlider in the UK and Lemon Sour Zero in Japan.

Community Positive

Increased percentage of female new hires to 50% (+6%) and percentage of women in leadership roles by 3%. Increased the percentage of racially and ethnically diverse employees in the US by 4%, at both the mid- and senior-manager levels.

Scored 100% on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index in the US, and named a Great Place to Work® Certified™ company in the US, Canada, Spain, Singapore, Korea, China, India, Mexico and Germany, and one of the Best Workplaces for Women™ in Mexico.

Supported the global growth and sustainability of the American whiskey industry through the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits at the University of Kentucky.

Donated 3,248 volunteer hours to local communities during the company’s annual service event, Together for Good.

Helped increase access to medical care in India’s hardest-hit areas from COVID-19 through a joint $600,000 donation with Suntory Holdings.

More information on the company and Proof Positive can be found at www.beamsuntory.com/proof-positive.

About Beam Suntory
 

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark® bourbon brands and Courvoisier® cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Basil Hayden®, Knob Creek®, and Legent™ bourbon; Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™ Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig® and Bowmore® Scotch whisky; Canadian Club® whisky; Hornitos® and Sauza® tequila; EFFEN®, Haku® and Pinnacle® vodka; Sipsmith® and Roku™ gin; and On The Rocks Premium Cocktails.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good, which now includes its transformative sustainability strategy, Proof Positive. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit https://www.beamsuntory.com and https://www.drinksmart.com.
 

©2022 Beam Suntory, Inc. Chicago, IL.