Lion

OVERALL
Owned	JPN
Rating

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.

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.

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Company Assessment

PRAISE	CRITICISM	INFORMATION
Lion Pty Ltd
Australian Packaging Covenant signatory Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation. [Source 2017][More on Packaging]	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 2013][More on Governance]	Possible GM in brands Brands owned by this company were rated 'red' in Greenpeace's 2011 Truefood Guide, signifying they may include GM-derived ingredients in their products. This includes brands that either: contain GM derived ingredients; have no clear policy on GM-derived ingredients; and/or have ignored or refused Greenpeace's request for information regarding their policies on GM-derived ingredients. [Source 2011][More on Genetic Engineering] 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 2013][More on Irresponsible Marketing] 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 2010][More on Irresponsible Marketing] 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 2018][More on Politics] 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 2010][More on Governance] ABAC signatory This company has signed the ABAC Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code, which is designed to regulate alcohol advertising and marketing within Australia. [Source 2017][More on Irresponsible Marketing] 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 2019][More on Irresponsible Marketing] 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 2015][More on Irresponsible Marketing] 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 2019][More on Workers Rights] Sustainability claims This company has a number of sustainability claims on its website. [Source 2013][More on Sustainability Reporting] 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 2018][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives] 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 2010][More on Workers Rights] Alcohol - direct involvement Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business. [More on Product Safety]
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd
CDP Climate Change Score of A- In 2018, 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 2018][More on Climate Change] CDP Water Security Score of A In 2018, 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 2018][More on Human Rights]	Involvement with Burma This company appears 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 is 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. [Source 2019][More on Human Rights] Human Rights Benchmark The 2019 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 200 of the largest publicly traded companies in the world from the Agricultural Products, Apparel, Extractives and ICT Manufacturing sectors on 100 human rights indicators. This company's score was in the 20-30 band range. The overall average score was a disappointing 24%. [Source 2019][More on Human Rights] 24/100 SAM Rank This company received a SAM Rank of 24/100 in the Beverages category of the 2018 SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment. The index is 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 2018][More on Sustainability Reporting]	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 2012][More on Sustainability Reporting] CSV claims This company has Creating Shared Value claims on its website [Source 2015][More on Environmental Claims] FSC certification This company holds Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification, and sells products certified as FSC Mix and FSC Recycled. [Source 2017][More on Forests] 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. [Source 2017][More on Climate Change] 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 x][More on Sustainability Reporting] Involvement with Myanmar Kirin acquired Fraser & Neave's 55% stake in Myanmar Brewery in 2015. Prior to this the brewery operated as a joint venture between Fraser & Neave and a Burmese state-owned enterprise, and generated significant income for the oppressive Burmese regime (which ended in 2011). [Source 2015][More on Human Rights] Alcohol - direct involvement Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business. [More on Product Safety] 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 2012][More on Animal Rights]

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20th Jun 2011 — Woolworths has announced plans to source all its own-label fresh milk products from Parmalat in NSW, a move the company said is not related to its 'milk war' with Coles.  [source]

Lion Nathan National Foods
28th Oct 2009 — Lion Nathan and National Foods were officially merged into one entity on 21 October 2009. The merged entity, Lion Nathan National Foods, is wholly owned by Japanese drinks giant Kirin Holdings. Meanwhile the outcry continues from Tasmanian farmers, who are being paid less than 21c for every litre of milk by National Foods, well below the cost of production of about 39c a litre. A Senate inquiry has been called.

Kirin buys Lion Nathan
18th Sep 2009 — (AUST >> FOREIGN) Japanese brewing giant Kirin bought the 54 per cent of Lion Nathan it didn't already own in a $3.4 billion deal. Lion Nathan is Australia's #2 brewer, after Fosters. Kirin recently bought National Foods and Dairy Farmers, and will combine them with Lion to create Lion Nathan National Foods Pty Ltd, which will be the largest supplier to Australian supermarkets.  [source]

National Foods acquires Dairy Farmers for A$910 million
28th Nov 2008 — (AUST >> FOREIGN) National Foods (owned by Japanese alcohol and pharmaceuticals giant Kirin) bought Australian Co-operative Foods, which trades as Dairy Farmers, for A$910 million in Nov 2008. Kirin bought National Foods last year, and already owns 46% of brewer Lion Nathan. National Foods owns the Pura Milk and Berri juice brands, while Dairy Farmers makes its own branded milk, Coon cheese and Ski yoghurt.

Kirin buys National Foods/Berri from San Miguel
8th Nov 2007 — Australia's largest dairy company, National Foods, operates in the milk, dairy foods and juice production industries. It was taken over by San Miguel, Phillipino beer giant in 2005, and sold to the Japanese food and drinks giant Kirin Holdings for $2.8 billion in 2007. Kirin owns 46% of Australia's 2nd largest brewer, Lion Nathan.   [source]