Publications
Publications
- November 2020 (Revised February 2021)
- HBS Case Collection
Integrating Beam Suntory (A)
By: David G. Fubini, Rawi Abdelal and David Lane
Abstract
The spring 2014 acquisition of U.S. alcoholic spirits maker Beam Inc. by Japan’s Suntory Holdings vaulted Suntory from 15th to third-largest international spirits company in the world. Yet Suntory had borrowed nearly the entire $16 billion purchase price, and relied on Beam to fund repayment of that debt. In October 2014, Takeshi Niinami became Suntory’s president and CEO, the first outsider to run the family business since its 1899 founding. Niinami immediately faced governance issues—not least relating to his relationship with Beam CEO Matt Shattock—and sought to enhance Beam’s production quality and consumer focus without alienating either Beam management and staff or the family that had placed their trust in him to run Suntory.
Keywords
Family Business; Communication; Borrowing and Debt; Globalization; Corporate Governance; Governing and Advisory Boards; Retention; Leadership; Supply Chain; Organizational Structure; Ownership; Relationships; Conflict and Resolution; Integration; Value Creation; Food and Beverage Industry; Japan; United States; Chicago
Citation
Fubini, David G., Rawi Abdelal, and David Lane. "Integrating Beam Suntory (A)." Harvard Business School Case 421-003, November 2020. (Revised February 2021.)