Australia: Suntory Oceania officially opens its new AUD400m facility in Queensland

Suntory Global Spirits has launched Suntory Oceania, its AUD3bn (US$2bn) multi-beverage category tie-up in Australia with Frucor Suntory, Global Drinks Intel reported on July 7.

The partnership between the two Suntory-owned companies, which was first announced almost exactly two years ago, has officially opened its new AUD400m facility in Ipswich, Queensland this week. The manufacturing and distribution site, on the outskirts of Brisbane in the east of the country, is capable of producing “20m cases per annum at start-up” and has the capacity to expand to 50m cases in the future.

Suntory Oceania has been labelled as the fourth-largest beverage group in the region. The subsidiary intends to add New Zealand to its footprint at the start of next year.

The tie-up covers functions including manufacturing, sales and distribution for a combined portfolio of 40 brands, including Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark alongside the Hibiki and Canadian Club whiskies. As well as premium spirits and RTDs, the business will also be responsible for a range of non-alcoholic drinks brands.

“Our mission is to bring the best of Suntory to Oceania and demonstrate the immense confidence we have in Australia’s growth potential,” said Suntory Oceania CEO Dai Minato, who was appointed in February.

Last month, Suntory Global Spirits was hit by a setback to its decarbonisation efforts in Scotland, where a plan to use hydrogen to power its Auchentoshan distillery had to be shelved.