Suntory Oceania is a $3B partnership between Suntory Beverage Food Oceania (SBFO) and Suntory Global Spirits (SGS), uniting over 40 leading brands -including Jim Beam, Hibiki, Canadian Club, V Energy, and Boss Coffee – across Australia and New Zealand (Figure 1). This alliance has created the region’s fourth-largest multi-beverage group, powered by two manufacturing sites, five distribution centres, and more than 1,500 employees.

To design, develop, and deploy Suntory Oceania’s Field of Dreams (FoD) program, a comprehensive initiative was created to address operational silos, supply chain constraints, and third-party dependencies, with an overall program investment of $600 million. Central to this transformation is the $400 M, carbon-neutral manufacturing and distribution facility in Ipswich, Queensland – the single largest FMCG investment in Australia in a decade, and a $21.5M digital IT investment to enable system setup.

FoD delivered:

• A scalable, integrated business model for sustainable growth.
• Enhanced customer and consumer focus, leveraging the combined brand strength.
• A new, controlled route to market and improved supply chain resilience.
• A new, carbon-neutral state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and a redesigned future-fit logistics network
• Seamless transition from third-party arrangements, ensuring business continuity.
• A unified culture and new opportunities for employees, including a new co-located head office
• The hiring and onboarding of over 400 new employees
• Introduction of alcohol production, distribution and a new excise reporting platform
• Establishing +500 new processes captured in a consistent format

The program featured robust governance, dual executive sponsorship, and a strong change management approach, including regular employee engagement surveys and a dedicated change network. Key customer milestones included the successful launch of the “Suntory House” B2B corporate brand event and a comprehensive customer rehearsal testing plan to ensure operational readiness.

The go-live was executed seamlessly in the Australian market, with major customers praising the transition and service levels. The facility launched on time and provided the finished goods required for the seamless transition. Employee sentiment improved throughout the program, reflecting the effectiveness of the change management approach. With the Australian transformation complete, focus now shifts to New Zealand’s go-live in January 2026.

Suntory Oceania’s FoD stands as a benchmark for large-scale business transformation, delivering operational excellence, stakeholder value, and sustainable growth. This program was completed while both businesses delivered their year-on-year financial results.

For more information about Suntory Oceania, visit suntoryoceania.com