BEAM SUNTORY SIMPLIFIES STRUCTURE

DRINKS COMPANY Beam Suntory is simplifying its regional structure by merging its four operating regions into three. The company will combine management of its Europe/Middle East/Africa and Asia Pacific businesses to create a larger international region. Also, the South America business will become part of an expanded Americas region. This organizational simplification will result in three regions: Americas, Japan and International, with more comparable scale and sales in the range of $1 billion or more each. The new international region will be led by Albert Baladi, president of Beam Suntory’s current EMEA region. He will be supported by managing directors of five geographic clusters: Oceania, Emerging Asia, Developed Europe, Emerging Europe & Middle East/Africa, and Global Travel Retail. Tim Hassett, president of Beam Suntory’s current North America region, will lead the expanded Americas region.