Lion
OVERALL |
|
Owned |
JPN |
Rating |
![]() |
Beverages
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. Sold its dairy and juice business to Bega Cheese in 2021.
Company Ownership
Lion Pty Ltd | AUS | website | ||||
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd ![]() owns 100% of Lion Pty Ltd |
JPN | website | ||||
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. |
Company Assessment
PRAISE | CRITICISM | INFORMATION | ||
Lion Pty Ltd | ||||
This company received the highest packaging performance level of 5 (Beyond Best Practice) in its 2023 APCO Annual Report. Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. Each year, APCO Members are required to submit an APCO Annual Report and Action Plan, which includes an overall performance level from 1 (Getting Started) to 5 (Beyond Best Practice).
Source: APCO (2023)
This company's business operations meet the requirements of the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard, and have been certified carbon neutral since 2020.
Source: Climate Active (2020)
Greenpeace's Reenergise campaign ranks Australia's biggest electricity using companies on their commitments and actions regarding renewable energy use. This company has: committed to powering their operations by 100% renewable electricity by 2030; signed at least one power purchase agreement (PPA) to buy power from a wind or solar project; invested in on-site solar.
Source: Greenpeace (2021)
This company won the Net Zero Action Award at the 2022 Banksia Sustainability Awards. "Lion is Australia's first large-scale carbon neutral brewer, integrating sustainability into the heart of their business. By 2025, their beers will be brewed using 100% renewable energy and their packaging 100% recyclable."
Source: Banksia Foundation (2022) |
This company has been criticised for offensive advertising. In 2010 the Advertising Standards Bureau upheld complaints about an ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified.
Source: Advertising Standards Bureau (2010)
Named and shamed in the 2013 CHOICE Shonky Awards. According to Choice, Lion's Dairy Farmers Oats Express Liquid Breakfast Banana and Honey, which has pictures of whole oats, banana slices and a honey dipper on the pack, claims to be a smooth "blend of milk, oat fibre and real banana". The ingredients panel reveals the product actually contains banana extract and no honey.
Source: Choice (2013)
In Dec 2010 National Foods' juice line Berri was required to change two of its flagship brands, Australian Fresh and The Daily Juice Company, after an ACCC investigation found the brand names might be misleading customers into believing the juice was 100% freshly-squeezed. Australian Fresh was renamed Australian Grown, while packaging for The Daily Juice Company was altered to reflect the blended nature of the contents.
Source: ACCC (2010)
According to the democracyforsale.net website, this company donated $896,849 to Australia's major political parties between 2012 and 2018, as disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commision (AEC).
Source: Democracy For Sale (2018)
In 2013 Coca-Cola Amatil, Schweppes Australia and Lion Pty Ltd filed proceedings in the Federal Court challenging the legal validity of the Northern Territory's Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). Other large bottlers like Fosters and Diageo have not joined the court case. A CDS has been proven worldwide to be the best way to increase collection and recycling. The Boomerang Alliance estimates a CDS would increase recovery by 80%.
Source: news article (2013)
This company is a signatory to the Responsible Children's Marketing Initiative (RCMI), which is managed by the Australian Food & Grocery Council and covers products found in retail outlets. Companies that have signed up to the initiative commit to: only advertising healthier choices to children and encouraging a healthy lifestyle through good diet and physical activity; not paying for or seeking product placement television programs, editorial content or interactive games aimed at children, unless the product is a healthier choice; not advertising and marketing to children in Australian schools unless they are asked to by those schools.
Source: AANA (2023)
This company makes voluntary contributions to DrinkWise Australia, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2005 by the alcohol industry, whose stated goal is to help bring about a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia.
Source: DrinkWise (2020)
This company has signed the ABAC Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code, which is designed to regulate alcohol advertising and marketing within Australia.
Source: ABAC (2021)
This company is listed by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as a Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation holder. The citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.
Source: WGEA (2022)
This company is a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex), a not-for-profit, membership organisation that leads work with buyers and suppliers to deliver improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains. Tens of thousands of companies use Sedex to manage their performance around labour rights, health & safety, the environment and business ethics.
Source: Sedex (2018)
This company has a number of sustainability claims on its website, including in the areas of tax transparency and environmental performance.
Source: company website (2020)
On 13 January 2010, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), following endorsement from union members at Berri Juices in Sydney, signed a new collective agreement which secured conditions and brought long delayed wage rises. Industrial actions leading up to agreement included the first workers strike in Berri's history.
Source: IUF (2010)
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website (2020) |
|||
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd | ||||
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of A.
Source: CDP (2022)
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of A.
Source: CDP (2022)
The 2021 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #31/350, with a total score of 41/100.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2021) |
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 32/100 in the Beverages category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 23 Sep 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2022) |
From Dec 2018 to Feb 2021 Kirin appeared on Burma Campaign UK's 'Dirty List' of companies assisting the Burmese military to continue to commit human rights violations and environmental destruction. In Burma Kirin was in a joint venture, Myanmar Breweries, with the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, which is controlled by and for the benefit of the military. This subsidiary has also donated money to the Burmese military. Kirin announced they would end their relationship with the Myanmar military after it staged a coup in Feb 2021.
Source: Burma Campaign UK (2021)
This company received a score of 49.8/100 in the Newsweek Green Rankings 2012, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on their environmental footprint, management (policies, programs, initiatives, controversies) and reporting practices, using data from Trucost and Sustainalytics.
Source: Newsweek (2012)
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty; commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business (2021)
This company holds Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification, and sells products certified as FSC Mix and FSC Recycled.
Source: FSC (2023)
This company is a member of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking. IARD is affiliated with the United Nations.
Source: IARD (2021)
The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.
Source: UN Global Compact (2020)
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website (2020)
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 22.7%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2022)
USA biotech company Hematech Inc. genetically modify cattle for human antibody production. Hematech was previously a subsidiary of Kirin's pharmaceutical division (Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co) until Dec 2012 when it was acquired by Sanford Health and rebranded Sanford Applied Biosciences, LLC.
Source: company website (2012) |
Company Details
Type | Wholly-owned subsidiary |
Revenue | 4.1 billion AUD (2018) |
Employees | 5,300 (2018) |
Aus Manufacturing | Yes |
Subsidiaries | Lion Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd ![]() Alcoholic beverages, especially beer Australia's largest brewer. Formerly known as Lion Nathan Australia. Kirin Holdings of Japan bought the 54% of Lion Nathan it didn't already own in 2009, and then merged it with National Foods to create Lion Nathan National Foods, which became Lion in 2011. - J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd ![]() Brewery Tasmanian brewery established in 1883 and acquired by Lion in 2007. All of the company's beers are produced in Launceston. - Little Creatures Brewing Pty Ltd ![]() Brewer Operator of two breweries, one in Fremantle (WA), and the other in Healesville (VIC). Owned by Japanese owned Lion. In Nov 2014 Lion announced it will close the White Rabbit Brewery in Healesville and move production to Geelong. Lion Beer, Spirits & Wine NZ ![]() Alcoholic beverages New Zealand's largest alcohol beverage company. Formerly known as Lion Nathan NZ. Healesville Distilling Pty Ltd ![]() Craft gin distillery Four Pillars is a small Australian distillery established in Healesville, VIC in 2013. Beverage giant Lion bought a 50% stake in 2019, and the remaining 50% in 2023. Lion Little World Beverages ![]() Alcoholic beverages, especially craft beer Established in 2015 to focus on growing a portfolio of craft beer in new markets outside Australia, NZ and Japan. They also operate a wine business in USA. Acquired USA's fourth largest craft beer brewery, New Belgium Brewing in 2019, and a second US craft brewery, Bell's Brewery, in 2021. Sold its UK operations in 2022. - New Belgium Brewing Co. ![]() Craft beer brewery This company was 100% employee owned until 2019 when it was bought by Kirin-owned Lion Little World Beverages. USA's fourth largest craft brewery. In 2021 Lion bought a second US craft brewery, Bell's Brewery in Michigan, and merged it with New Belgium. Fermentum Pty Ltd ![]() Craft breweries Founded in Byron Bay in 2008. Holding company for a few craft breweries including Stone & Wood and Two Birds. Acquired by Kirin-owned Lion in 2021. In 2023 Two Birds was discontinued and the brewery closed. - Stone & Wood Brewing Company ![]() Microbrewery Established in Byron Bay in 2008, today they operate three breweries. Previously largely employee-owned, Kirin-owned Lion bought the company in 2021. |
Contact Details
Address | Level 7, 68 York St, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia |
Phone | 02 9320 2200 |
Website | www.lionco.com |
Products / Brands
Lion Beer Australia
5 Seeds Cider Amstel Beer Birra Moretti Beer Blue Bitter Beer Boag's Beer Emu Beer Eumundi Lager Beer Furphy Beer Guinness Beer Hahn Beer Heineken Beer Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Ice Beer Beer Iron Jack Beer James Boag's Beer James Squire Beer James Squire Cider James Squire Zero Non-Alcoholic Kilkenny Beer |
Kirin Beer Kirin Cider Knappstein Beer Kosciuszko Beer Little Creatures Beer Orchard Crush Cider Pipsqueak Cider Red Bitter Beer Rogers Beer Southwark Beer Summer Bright Beer Swan Beer TED Beer Tooheys Beer West End Beer White Rabbit Beer Wizard Smith's Beer XXXX Beer |
Lion New Zealand
Speights Beer (imported) Steinlager Beer (imported) |
Four Pillars
Four Pillars Gin Four Pillars Premix Spirits |
Fermentum
Stone & Wood
Stone & Wood Beer
|