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Lion

OVERALL

Owned
JPN
Rating
Praises, some criticism

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   email      
  Kirin Holdings Company Ltd   
   owns 100% of Lion Pty Ltd  
JPN     website   email      

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.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Lion Pty Ltd
Environment Carbon neutral company
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)
Environment 4/5 for packaging performance
This company received a packaging performance level of 4 (Leading) in its 2022 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 (2022)
Environment Renewable energy use
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)
Business Ethics Banksia Sustainability Award 2022
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)
Social Breaching advertising codes
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)
Social 2013 CHOICE Shonky Award
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)
Business Ethics Misleading labelling
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)
Business Ethics Political donations
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)
Business Ethics Opposing a CDS
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)
Social ABAC signatory
This company has signed the ABAC Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code, which is designed to regulate alcohol advertising and marketing within Australia.
Source: ABAC (2021)
Social RCMI signatory
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: AFGC (2019)
Social DrinkWise contributor
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)
Social Employer of Choice for Gender Equality
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)
Business Ethics Sustainability claims
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)
Business Ethics Sedex member
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)
Social Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website (2020)
Social Workers rights
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)
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of A
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)
Social CDP Water Security Score of A
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)
Business Ethics 41% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
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)
Business Ethics 32/100 S&P Global ESG Score
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)
Social Previous involvement with Burma
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)
Business Ethics 49.8% in Newsweek Green Rankings 2012
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)
Environment Climate action commitments
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)
Environment FSC certification
This company holds Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification, and sells products certified as FSC Mix and FSC Recycled.
Source: FSC (2017)
Social IARD member
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)
Business Ethics CSV claims
This company has Creating Shared Value claims on its website
Source: company website (2015)
Business Ethics UN Global Compact participant
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)
Social 22.7% in Human Rights Benchmark
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)
Social Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website (2020)
Animals Genetic Engineering & Animal Rights
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)

> About the Icons

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 (50% owned) 

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, with the three founders retaining the other 50%.


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.


  - 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 

Founded in Byron Bay in 2008. Holding company for a few craft breweries including Stone & Wood. Acquired by Kirin-owned Lion in 2021.


  - 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 (50% owned)
Four Pillars Gin
Four Pillars Premix Spirits

Fermentum
Chirpy Seltzer
Fixation Beer
Little Dragon Beer
Two Birds Beer

Stone & Wood
Stone & Wood Beer


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