Beam Inc. – No.3 (21)
Illinois-based premium spirits company Beam Inc. was founded in 1904 and reported $2.47bn in sales in 2012. In the overall Forbes listings it was just pipped at the post by rival Pernod Ricard.
The firm is riding high on the success of Jim Beam (double-digit growth in the US and Europe in Q2 2013) and increased share over the past quarter for tequila (Sauza, Hornitos) and vodka (Pinnacle); Skinnygirl has been a success in recent years, but the brand is a little challenged at the moment.
CEO and president Matt Shattock said of the Forbes recognition: “Beam was named as one of the Top 25 most innovative companies in the world and that’s a great reflection of the work of our team in driving that particular strategic thrust [global innovation].”
