Made In Queensland

Suntory Oceania, the partnership between Beam Suntory and Frucor Suntory, announced that Australia’s number one energy drink, V Energy, and favourite alcohol, Ready to Drink (RTD) beverage Suntory -196 will be two of the first brands to be made at its new facility in Queensland.

Once the $400 million manufacturing and distribution facility becomes operational in mid-2024, the site will become home to 18 of Australia’s most popular RTD drinks, including Canadian Club & Dry, Jim Beam White Label Bourbon & Cola and the entire range of V Energy drinks. Suntory Oceania RTDs will be made on-site in Queensland by Queenslanders.

RTD is the fastest-growing liquor category, growing at 4.8 per cent in value and holding almost 20 per cent share of all liquor sales in Australia. Beam Suntory has been the number one contributor to value growth in the RTD market for the past two years with its iconic Suntory -196 after its blockbuster launch in 2021.

Darren Fullerton, CEO of Frucor Suntory Oceania, said that Suntory Oceania was well placed to ride the next wave of growth in its existing core markets of alcohol, non-alcohol RTDs and energy drinks. The partnership will unlock further potential and agility in the supply chain – and more strategic portfolio innovation into emerging beverage categories.

“Our new facility will produce beverages for every occasion from sunrise to sunset. There is great excitement about the future and the opportunities we can create for the Queensland community,” said Fullerton.

As the most significant FMCG investment into Australia in the last decade, the $400 million manufacturing and distribution facility will strengthen Suntory’s foothold in Australia, with over 160 local roles contributing to the growth of SE Queensland.

Mark Hill, Managing Director for Beam Suntory Oceania, said that working alongside its production sites in New Zealand, North America, Europe and Japan, full ownership of its supply chain allows Suntory Oceania to respond with greater agility to market needs and expand our capability and capacity.

“Preparation starts now to ensure the partnership is operational to go to market with our combined portfolio from mid-2025 in Australia and 2026 in New Zealand,” said Hill.

The facility’s planned production scope is announced at an exciting time for the site, with construction well underway and on schedule.

Suntory Oceania beverages are to be made at the new manufacturing and distribution facility in Ipswich, Queensland, from mid-2024: