Suntory has launched a $3 billion multi-beverage powerhouse in Australia – Suntory Oceania.
In a global first for the Suntory Group, the new multi-beverage player combines the strengths of its RTD and premium spirits business, with its non-alcohol business, to match the growth opportunity across ANZ.
Suntory Oceania is the fourth largest beverage group in the region and it includes brands such as Jim Beam, Canadian Club, -196, Boss Coffee and Australia’s number one energy drink V Energy.
CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food Oceania, Dai Minato, applauded the team for dreaming big and achieving bold ambitions that place Suntory Oceania in a position to unlock a new wave of growth for the beverage sector.
“Our mission is to bring the best of Suntory to Oceania and demonstrate the immense confidence we have in Australia’s growth potential,” said Minato.
“Our team has delivered incredible results in just over two years – the transformation of a greenfield site to a $400 million state-of-the-art, carbon-neutral facility and the establishment of a new supply chain and commercial model. We have grown our Oceania family to 1500 people, including new Licensed RTM and advocacy teams.
“At Suntory, our culture is shaped by our unique ‘Yatte Minahare’ spirit, which has encouraged us to dream big and make those dreams a reality for over a century. I’m excited by the ambition of our people, the strength of our brands, and the opportunity to shape new beverage experiences. This is just the beginning!”
The Swanbank facility gives Suntory Oceania full end-to-end control of its portfolio, including manufacturing, sales and distribution, and it will enable the multi-beverage business to meet new and emerging consumer needs, categories, and occasions.
Suntory Oceania will leverage its global reach, local roots and expertise in the non-alcohol and premium spirits segments to ignite the category with a diverse portfolio of beverages.
With alcohol ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages at 8.65 per cent annually and energy drinks forecast to grow at 5.6 per cent, Suntory Oceania will be doubling down on two of the country’s most dynamic and fast-growing categories.
Mark Hill, MD, Suntory Global Spirits – Oceania said the Australian beverages market was one of the most energetic and innovative in the world.
“Suntory Oceania gives us the platform to truly ignite the industry by pioneering new consumer beverage experiences,” Hill said.
‘Now we are in a position to unlock the power of Suntory’s rich East meets West portfolio from Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe, and Japan. Certainly, our Swanbank facility will produce more of the drinks Australians love, like those from the quickly growing RTD category.”
Suntory Oceania’s iconic range of more than 20 RTD products, including Suntory -196, Canadian Club, Jim Beam, and the full portfolio of V Energy, are now being manufactured at Swanbank.
The largest FMCG investment in a single site in the last decade, the Swanbank beverage facility is capable of producing 20 million cases per annum at start-up and has the capacity to expand to 50 million cases in the future.
Suntory will launch its new multi-beverage business offering in the New Zealand market in January 2026, marking the next chapter in what is shaping up to be one of the most significant market plays in the global beverages industry.
Suntory Oceania – top six fast facts:
- $3 billion business with +40 market-leading brands.
- Fourth largest beverage group in Oceania.
- +1500 Suntorians.
- +160 permanent manufacturing and sales roles created locally.
- Two manufacturing facilities and 5 distribution centres across Australia and New Zealand.
- 30 million+ cases of beverages are produced a year.
