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Beam Global Spirits & Wine and Southern Wine & Spirits Sign Long-Term Agreement for 21 Markets

^{Published on 2009-01-28 08:38:29, Last Modified on 2009-01-28 08:39:47 - Market Wire}
 

DEERFIELD, Ill.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO)], the leading American spirits company, and Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. (SWS), the nation's leading wine and spirits distributor and control state broker, are pleased to announce the signing of a long-term agreement giving SWS the exclusive distribution rights to Beam Global's portfolio in 21 states, including the addition of Arizona and Kentucky. The contract builds on Beam Global's current agreement with SWS and makes Beam Global SWS' largest U.S.-based spirits company.

The long-term agreement includes state-of-the-art performance requirements that align with both companies' strategic priorities and performance plans. SWS will utilize a focused sales division to distribute all of the Beam Global's leading brands such as Jim Beam® Bourbon, Hornitos™ Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum and DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs.

"Southern Wine & Spirits has been a valuable Beam Global partner for many years," stated Bill Newlands, president of Beam Global's U.S. business. "Through this new performance-based distribution contract, we continue to strengthen our relationship with SWS and further streamline our routes to market. Our expanded distribution agreement helps us gain efficiencies by having a uniform sales and distribution model in 21 states and strategically aligning both companies' business priorities."

"This agreement, along with SWS' focused commitment, will help us win in the marketplace and fuel our ‘BeAmerica' strategy of doing business – to be ‘Smarter. Faster. Better' for our customers," continued Newlands.

"As Beam Global's distributor across multiple markets, it is a privilege now to represent them as our largest U.S.-based spirits company and their great portfolio of brands in Kentucky and Arizona," said Wayne Chaplin, president and chief operating officer of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. "With this agreement, Beam Global and SWS will be partnered coast-to-coast – with Southern representing more than 50 percent of Beam's U.S. business. As the largest wine and spirits distributor, with the most complete footprint in the United States, we will devote our organization to support the growth of Beam Global's business."

"It is our corporate mission to be the best managed, most competitive and most knowledgeable distilled spirits, wine and non-alcoholic beverage distribution company in the United States and deliver exceptional customer satisfaction by distinguishing ourselves as an innovative organization," continued Chaplin. "Beam Global's valuable portfolio of brands combined with SWS' commitment to excellence in all areas – sales, marketing and distribution – will ensure our total customer base will have maximum access to leading brands like Jim Beam, Hornitos, DeKuyper, Courvoisier, Canadian Club, Maker's Mark and Cruzan among many others."

Beam Global's exclusive agreement with SWS in Arizona goes into effect March 1, 2009, and in Kentucky April 1, 2009.

About Southern Wine & Spirits of America:

Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation's largest wine and spirits distributor, with current operations in 28 states. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia—and the additional six states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah through the Southern Wine/Spirits West partnership. In addition, SWS has announced two additional pending strategic arrangements—one with Glazer's in the center of the country and one with The Odom Corporation involving the aforementioned Pacific Northwest states and Alaska—that would result in an incremental 9 markets to SWS' present footprint. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 10,000 team members. For more information visit: [ www.southernwine.com ].

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine:

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher's® Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs and Knob Creek® Bourbon. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit [ www.beamglobal.com ] and [ www.drinksmart.com ].

© 2009 Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., Deerfield, IL

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