Our Legacy
We are proud custodians of legacies measured in centuries.
For more than 125 years, Shinjiro Torii’s entrepreneurial spirit has continued to inspire our business as we have grown to become one of the world’s largest beverage companies with brands distributed in 120 countries and more than 40,000 employees.
Suntory remains a family-owned business, a characteristic we believe sets us apart, and focuses us on our commitment to grow for good and be a considerate ancestor to future generations.
Our local roots were planted over sixty years ago with the New Zealand Apple and Pear Board, which grew from a local juice company to become a trans-Tasman beverage leader and part of the Suntory family.
In 2023, we announced our intention to create a $3 billion multi-beverage partnership, Suntory Oceania.
Our History
1899
Shinjiro Torii opens the Torii Shoten store in Osaka, Japan to sell and produce wine, setting out to create western-style liquors to suit Japanese palates.
1907
Shinjiro launches Akadama port wine, laying the foundation for the Suntory business.
1923
Construction of Japan’s original malt whisky distillery, the Yamazaki Distillery, begins. This is the initial step towards production of the first Japanese whisky.
1932
Shinjiro expands the business to incorporate the sale of soft drinks.
1934
After prohibition, Jim Beam rebuilds the family distillery, establishing the James B. Beam Distilling Co.
1937
Shinjiro launches Suntory Kakubin whisky (square bottle).
1953
Bill Samuels, Sr. purchases what’s known today as the Maker’s Mark® distillery.
1962
New Zealand Apple & Pear Board creates Fresh Up – this is the start of Frucor Beverages.
1963
Inspired by the sun motif from the Akadama bottle, alongside the ‘Torii’ family name, Shinjiro Torii renames the business “Suntory”.
1984
Suntory Single Malt whisky Yamazaki launches.
1996
Frucor was established.
1997
The iconic V Energy drink launches.
1999
Frucor becomes exclusive bottler for Pepsi products in New Zealand.
2009
Suntory acquires Frucor Beverages.
2014
Suntory Holdings acquires Beam Inc. to create Beam Suntory, a world leader in premium spirits with origins dating back to 1795.
2019
BOSS Coffee launches in Australia and New Zealand.
2021
Minus 196 launches in Australia.
2022
Construction begins at the first Suntory manufacturing facility in Australia.
2023
Suntory Oceania partnership announced.
2024
Beam Suntory becomes Suntory Global Spirits and Frucor Suntory becomes Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania.
2024
Suntory Oceania becomes exclusive partner to Celsius.
2025
Australian partnership between Suntory Global Spirits and Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania begins.
As One Suntory, we foster an environment where our people can embrace their authentic selves and encouraged to learn and explore new career pathways within our business.