April 19/Tokyo/Press Release -- Suntory Holdings Ltd. will move its headquarters for its alcoholic beverage businesses to the United States after completing its acquisition of Beam Inc., according to sources.

Sources said the Suntory group aims to implement international business strategies from the U.S. base to expand sales channels across the globe.

Under the new structure, Beam will become a subsidiary named Beam Suntory, which will be headed by Beam chief executive officer Matt Shattock. Officials from the Suntory group, including Suntory Holdings executive vice president Yasunori Aiba, who is also president of Suntory Liquors Ltd., will join the directorial board of the new company.

International business strategies for alcoholic beverages in Japan, including those for whiskey, will be transferred to the headquarters of Beam Suntory in Illinois. By doing this, the Suntory group aims to increase overseas sales through utilizing Beam’s sales channels.

Suntory Holdings is purchasing Beam for approximately $16 billion in an acquisition likely to be completed by early May. After that, Suntory Holdings will control the group as a whole from Japan.