Four Pillars

Beverages and dairy manufacturing

Through a series of mergers and acquisitions between 2002 and 2009, this company became Australia's largest dairy company, largest juice company and second largest brewery. Owned by Japan's Kirin since 2007. In 2019 Lion sold its dairy and drinks division to China's Mengniu Dairy, leaving Lion as an alcohol company only.

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.