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| Above, Sean Connery in a Jim Beam ad circa 1967. |
It has been announced that Japan's Suntory Holdings, Ltd. is buying the makers of Jim Beam whiskey.
According to The Japan News:
DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Beam, the maker of Jim Beam and Marker’s Mark alcohol brands, has agreed to be acquired by Japan’s Suntory Holdings Ltd. for approximately $13.62 billion.
Suntory will pay $83.50 per share, a 25 percent premium to Beam’s Friday closing price of $66.97.
The companies put the deal’s value at about $16 billion, including debt.
Suntory has a portfolio of spirits, with whiskies including Yamazaki and Hakushu as well as Midori liqueur and other beverages.
Suntory already distributes Beam’s products in Japan. Beam distributes Suntory’s products in Singapore and other Asian markets.In the movie Lost In Translation, Bill Murray's character is in Japan to make commercials for Suntory whiskey. The slogan used was, "For relaxing times, make it Suntory time." I guess we can now call it Jim Beam time.
To read more, go here.
