Fortune Brands: The Origins of Beam and Fortune Brands Innovations

Fortune BrandsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → traces its origins to the American Tobacco Company, founded in 1890. After decades as a tobacco leader, the company diversified and rebranded as American Brands, Inc. in 1969.

By the late 1990s, it had exited the tobacco sector entirely, adopting the name Fortune Brands, Inc. in 1997 and focusing on consumer goods, including spirits and home products.

In 2011, Fortune Brands undertook a significant corporate restructuring, splitting into two separate publicly traded companies: Fortune Brands Home & SecurityDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, focused on home and security products, and Beam Inc.Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a spirits business.

Beam Inc. operated independently until 2014, when it was acquired by Japan’s Suntory HoldingsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → for approximately $16 billion. The company was subsequently renamed Beam Suntory, and in 2024, rebranded as Suntory Global Spirits.

Meanwhile, Fortune Brands Home & Security continued to expand its portfolio in the home and security sector by acquiring other brands. In 2022, the company rebranded as Fortune Brands Innovations to reflect its focus on innovation and growth in water, outdoors, and security markets.

J.V.