Suntory Holdings Ltd., Osaka, Japan, completed its acquisition of all outstanding shares of Beam Inc., Deerfield, Ill., for $83.50 a share on April 30. As a result of the transaction, Beam has been renamed Beam Suntory Inc. and effectively becomes the No. 3 premium spirits company in the world, it says. The new company plans to integrate the spirits business of Suntory Liquors Ltd. before the end of this year.

Beam Suntory will retain Beam’s headquarters in Deerfield, Ill., as well as its chairman and chief executive officer, Matt Shattock, who has been chief executive officer of Beam since 2009.

Looking ahead, Beam Suntory aims to achieve growth in markets worldwide, including the United States, by leveraging its combined portfolio of leading brands and its strengthened global distribution network, it says. The company’s portfolio is led by its flagship brands Jim Beam and Yamazaki as well as premium brands including Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Hakushu, Hibiki, Kakubin, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Canadian Club, Courvoisier, Sauza, Pinnacle and Midori.

“By combining the world leader in bourbon and Japan’s leading spirits company, we have created a stronger global business with an even better premium portfolio,” Shattock said in a statement. “We believe the new Beam Suntory will grow by pursuing the global strategy that made Beam so successful. We will be focused on continuing our momentum, growing in developed and emerging markets, and building on our combined strengths. Those strengths include a dynamic portfolio across key categories, powerful routes to market, and passionate people. I’m particularly excited about what brings us together — a strong cultural fit based on the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of two companies with common values and proud heritages rooted in multi-generational family businesses. We look forward to learning from each other and to creating a future of exciting growth for our business and opportunities for our people.”

Nobutada Saji, president and chairman of Suntory Holdings, added in a statement: “I am very delighted with the launch of Beam Suntory, which unites Beam and Suntory’s spirits businesses, and I truly believe Beam Suntory will continue to grow strongly in the global spirits industry. Since its founding, Suntory Group has always shared the spirit of ‘Yatte Minahare — Go for it!’ in taking on new challenges, creating new opportunities, and living our corporate values. Beam’s heritage of over 200 years is also characterized by a spirit of entrepreneurialism, creativity and courageous decisions that exemplify the same ‘Yatte Minahare’ spirit. I believe this common spirit and our combined strengths will be a powerful driving force as the new Beam Suntory excites consumers around the world with our portfolio of premium brands. At the same time, Beam Suntory will remain true to Suntory’s corporate philosophy, ‘In Harmony with People and Nature,’ in developing a rich experience of life based on real needs in the communities  in which we do business, coexisting with people and their nature surroundings.”

For more information, visit www.beamsuntory.com.