Four Pillars

Beverages and dairy manufacturing

Australia's largest dairy company, largest juice company, 2nd largest brewer, and largest supplier to supermarkets. National Foods and Lion Nathan, both owned by Kirin, were merged in Oct 09 to create Lion Nathan National Foods (renamed Lion in 2011). National Foods bought Dairy Farmers in 2008, Tasmanian cheese company Lactos in 2006, juice company Berri in 2005 and King Island Dairy in 2002.

Food, beverage, alcohol and pharmaceuticals manufacturer

Kirin's main businesses include alcohol, soft drinks, pharmaceuticals and food. Japan's largest brewer. Kirin bought Australian dairy & juice company National Foods in 2007, and Dairy Farmers in late 2008, and the 54% of Lion Nathan (Australia's #2 brewer) it didn't already own in 2009. While Kirin is an independent company, it is part of Japan's largest "keiretsu", Mitsubishi Group.