Suntory - History

History

Suntory was started by Torii Shinjiro, who first opened his store Torii Shoten in Osaka on February 1, 1899, to sell imported wines. In 1907, the store began selling a sweet tasting red wine called Akadama Port Wine. The store became the Kotobukiya company in 1921 to further expand its business. In December 1924, Yamazaki Distillery, the first Japanese whisky distillery, began its production of malt whisky. Five years later Suntory Whisky Sirofuda (White Label), the first single malt whisky made in Japan, was sold.

Due to wartime shortage of World War II, Kotobukiya was briefly forced to halt its development of new products. In 1961, Kotobukiya launched the famous "Drink Tory's (Whisky) and Go to Hawaii" campaign. At the time, a trip abroad was considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In 1963, Kotobukiya changed its name to "Suntory", taken from the name of the famous whisky it produces. In the same year, Musashino Beer Factory began its production of the Suntory Beer. In 1997, the company became Japan's sole bottler, distributor, and licensee of Pepsi products.

On April 1, 2009, Suntory became a stockholding company named "Suntory Holdings Limited (サントリーホールディングス株式会社?)" and established "Suntory Beverage and Food Limited (サントリー食品株式会社?)", "Suntory Products Limited (サントリープロダクツ株式会社?)", "Suntory Wellness Limited (サントリーウェルネス株式会社?)", "Suntory Liquors Limited (サントリー酒類株式会社?)", "Suntory Beer & Spirits Limited (サントリービア&スピリッツ株式会社?)", "Suntory Wine International Limited (サントリーワインインターナショナル株式会社?)", and "Suntory Business Expert Limited (サントリービジネスエキスパート株式会社?)".