Beam Suntory to relocate global HQ to Chicago

Yamazaki and Maker’s Mark owner Beam Suntory has confirmed it will move its global headquarters to downtown Chicago by the end of 2017.

Beam Suntory’s portfolio includes Maker’s Mark, Jim Beam and Pinnacle Vodka

Beam Suntory will relocate to The Merchandise Mart in Chicago, having been situated in suburban Deerfield in Illinois, as part of a global plan to “strategically” focus resources in “key cities” around the world.

Starting later this year, the drinks firm will relocate its headquarters in phases moving approximately 450 employees in total, whose positions range from marketing, sales and finance to legal, human resources, IT, supply chain and communications.

Beam Suntory has already signed a non-binding ‘Letter of Intent’ to lease a 110,000 square foot space in The Merchandise Mart – the world’s largest wholesale design centre – located alongside the Chicago River.

“Cities are increasingly where our target consumers live and work, including the key millennial demographic, and getting closer to our consumers is a strategic priority,” said Matt Shattock, Beam Suntory chairman and CEO.

“Locating our people amidst the energy of a city like Chicago will be invigorating and make us an even better business as we pursue our ambitious long-term growth objectives.

“Our people will benefit from Chicago’s excellent transportation options, and we’ll be closer to a diverse pool of talent that we’ll tap into as we grow in the future.

“Beam Suntory’s roots go back more than 220 years, but we have the soul of a startup.

“I know we’re going to feel right at home in this vibrant downtown location.”