Beam Suntory has posted a 58% sales boost in the first half of the year as its US Bourbon portfolio increased volumes.
The unit, which was formed in 2014 when Suntory Holdings bought Beam Inc, saw double-digit volume growth for Bourbon, driven by Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek and Basil Hayden’s, Suntory said. In Europe, "solid volume growth" for Jim Beam and Laphroaig also added to the top line, while in Japan, Jim Beam increased sales by 55% as the brand increased its presence.
The spirits unit's performance outpaced Suntory's other alcohol divisions, with Suntory Beer posting flat volumes and Suntory Wine International up 5% in sales for the first half.
Suntory Holdings' combined alcohol sales were up 32% to JPY474.9bn (US$3.8bn) with profits increasing by 50% to JPY31.8m.
The company's soft drinks unit, meanwhile, posted a sharp jump in profits as its overseas unit drove performance despite a sales drop in Europe.
