There is no new Travel Markets Insider newsletter attached to this letter as a PDF file. This news is complete on this page.
BREAKING NEWS
Suntory Holdings to Acquire Beam in $16 Billion Transaction
The deal creates the World’s #3 Premium Spirits Player with portfolio of Leading Brands across key spirits categories, enhanced Global Reach and unparalleled expertise in the fast-growing whisky category
Suntory Holdings Limited and Beam Inc. (BEAM) today 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, including the assumption of Beam’s outstanding net debt.
The transaction represents a 25% premium to Beam’s closing price of $66.97 on January 10, 2014; a 24% premium to the volume-weighted average share price over the last three months; and a multiple of more than 20 times Beam’s EBITDA for the 12-month period ended September 30, 2013.
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.
According to the announcement, the transaction will create a stronger global player in premium spirits with annual net sales of spirits products exceeding $4.3 billion. Its combined portfolio of leading brands will include 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 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.”
“This is a very exciting development that delivers substantial value for our stockholders and creates an even stronger global company with an excellent platform for future growth,” said Matt Shattock, President and Chief Executive Officer of Beam Inc.
“Together we will be a global leader in distilled spirits with the #3 position in premium spirits and a dynamic portfolio across key categories. With particular strength in Bourbon, Scotch, Canadian, Irish and Japanese whisky, the combined company will have unparalleled expertise and portfolio breadth in premium whisky, which is driving the fastest growth in Western spirits,” said Shattock.
Suntory and Beam already have a successful business relationship under which Suntory distributes Beam products in Japan and Beam distributes Suntory’s products in Singapore and other Asian markets.
More information to come as available.
