Fortune Brands
Encyclopedia
Fortune Brands was a holding company
founded in 1969 as American Brands and later renamed in 1997 and split apart in 2011. The corporate headquarters was in Deerfield, Illinois
in the United States
. The company historically had a significant diversity of product offerings. It announced on December 8, 2010, that it planned to focus on its liquor business, and to spin off or sell other parts of the company — including home furnishings and hardware and other golf products. The company then sold its Titleist
and FootJoy product lines to FILA Korea
. On October 3, 2011, it split the remainder of its business into two publicly-traded companies: Fortune Brands Home & Security
and Beam Inc.
.
was founded in 1890, and on December 31, 1985 American Brands became its parent company. Brown & Williamson
acquired the tobacco division in 1994.
brand. In 2005, the company spun off ACCO to shareholders, and immediately thereafter ACCO merged with General Binding Corporation
. This merged company is now known as ACCO Brands
.
(purchased in 1976) became Fortune Brands' golf
division, producing golf balls, shoes, and clubs.
Fortune sold off the Acushnet Company's Acushnet Rubber division in 1985, which was Acushnet's original business (circa early 1900s).
The Golf Division was made up of the following companies:
Titleist
and FootJoy were sold to Fila
, and Cobra Golf
was sold to Puma AG
in March, 2010.
brands, led by Jim Beam.
In July 2005, Fortune Brands and French spirits company Pernod Ricard
acquired over 25 additional spirits and wine brands from British holding company Allied Domecq
.
In November 2007, Constellation Brands
announced a purchase of Fortune Brands' wine operations for $885 million USD, a transaction that added 1500 acres (6.1 km²) of vineyards, several major brands such as Clos du Bois, and 2.6 million cases per year of "super-premium" class wine production.
After the other product lines were sold and spun off, the remaining spirits business became Beam Inc.
.
Holding company
A holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company which does not produce goods or services itself; rather, its purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies allow the reduction of risk for the owners and can allow...
founded in 1969 as American Brands and later renamed in 1997 and split apart in 2011. The corporate headquarters was in Deerfield, Illinois
Deerfield, Illinois
Deerfield is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States and is located approximately 25 miles north of Chicago, Illinois. A portion of the village is in Cook County, Illinois, United States...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The company historically had a significant diversity of product offerings. It announced on December 8, 2010, that it planned to focus on its liquor business, and to spin off or sell other parts of the company — including home furnishings and hardware and other golf products. The company then sold its Titleist
Titleist
Titleist is a brand name owned by Fila for golf equipment and apparel products produced by its subsidiary called the Acushnet Company, which is headquartered in Fairhaven, Massachusetts....
and FootJoy product lines to FILA Korea
Fila (company)
Fila is one of the world's largest sportswear manufacturing companies. Founded in 1911 in Italy, Fila has been owned and operated from South Korea since a takeover in 2007. Headed by chairman and CEO Yoon-Soo Yoon, Fila now has offices in 11 countries worldwide....
. On October 3, 2011, it split the remainder of its business into two publicly-traded companies: Fortune Brands Home & Security
Fortune Brands Home & Security
Fortune Brands Home & Security is a maker of home fixtures and hardware. The company's product lines include Master Lock, MasterBrand cabinets, Moen faucets, Simonton windows and Therma-Tru entry door systems...
and Beam Inc.
Beam Inc.
Beam Inc. is a spirits company established on October 4, 2011 from the remainder of the Fortune Brands holding company after it sold and spun off various other product lines to form a business focused exclusively on spirits and directly related products...
.
History
The American Tobacco CompanyAmerican Tobacco Company
The American Tobacco Company was a tobacco company founded in 1890 by J. B. Duke through a merger between a number of U.S. tobacco manufacturers including Allen and Ginter and Goodwin & Company...
was founded in 1890, and on December 31, 1985 American Brands became its parent company. Brown & Williamson
Brown & Williamson
Brown & Williamson was an American tobacco company and subsidiary of the giant British American Tobacco, that produced several popular cigarette brands. It became infamous as the focus of investigations for chemically enhancing the addictiveness of cigarettes...
acquired the tobacco division in 1994.
ACCO
In 1987 American Brands acquired ACCO, a holding company which owned several office supply subsidiaries, which included the SwinglineSwingline
Swingline is a division of ACCO Brands that specializes in manufacturing staplers and hole punches. The company was formerly located in Long Island City, Queens, New York, United States, but is now headquartered with its parent company ACCO in Lincolnshire, Illinois.- History :Swingline was founded...
brand. In 2005, the company spun off ACCO to shareholders, and immediately thereafter ACCO merged with General Binding Corporation
General Binding Corporation
General Binding Corporation is an office supplies manufacturer with many highly recognized global brands for binding, lamination, and other presentation products...
. This merged company is now known as ACCO Brands
ACCO Brands
ACCO Brands Corporation is an umbrella company, created by the merger of ACCO World from Fortune Brands with General Binding Corporation .-History:In 1903, Fred J...
.
Golf Division
The Acushnet CompanyAcushnet Company
The Acushnet Company is a subsidiary of the Fortune Brands Corporation that makes golf equipment and golfing apparel.However, Fortune Brands announced on December 8, 2010, that it planned to focus on its liquor business, and would spin off or sell other parts of the company — including home...
(purchased in 1976) became Fortune Brands' golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
division, producing golf balls, shoes, and clubs.
Fortune sold off the Acushnet Company's Acushnet Rubber division in 1985, which was Acushnet's original business (circa early 1900s).
The Golf Division was made up of the following companies:
- Pinnacle Golf
- TitleistTitleistTitleist is a brand name owned by Fila for golf equipment and apparel products produced by its subsidiary called the Acushnet Company, which is headquartered in Fairhaven, Massachusetts....
- FootJoy
- Cobra GolfCobra GolfCobra Golf is a subsidiary of German company Puma based in Carlsbad, California, which manufactures golf equipment.Founded in 1973 by Thomas L. Crow, Cobra produced one of the first utility clubs, the Baffler, long before the use of such clubs became popular. The company was acquired in 1996 by...
Titleist
Titleist
Titleist is a brand name owned by Fila for golf equipment and apparel products produced by its subsidiary called the Acushnet Company, which is headquartered in Fairhaven, Massachusetts....
and FootJoy were sold to Fila
Fila
Fila or FILA may refer to:*Fila , a South Korean sportswear manufacturer* Fila , an island of Vanuatu*Fila, Iran, a village in Lorestan Province...
, and Cobra Golf
Cobra Golf
Cobra Golf is a subsidiary of German company Puma based in Carlsbad, California, which manufactures golf equipment.Founded in 1973 by Thomas L. Crow, Cobra produced one of the first utility clubs, the Baffler, long before the use of such clubs became popular. The company was acquired in 1996 by...
was sold to Puma AG
PUMA AG
Puma SE, officially branded as PUMA, is a major German multinational company that produces high-end athletic shoes, lifestyle footwear and other sportswear. Formed in 1924 as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, relationships between the two brothers deteriorated until the two...
in March, 2010.
Home and hardware
Included in this division were the following, which had annual sales of over $4 billion:- Waterloo Industries
- Masterbrand Cabinets
- Aristokraft Cabinets
- Cabinets by Diamond
- Omega Cabinetry
- Home Crest Cabinets
- Schrock Cabinetry
- Kitchen Craft Cabinetry
- Decora
- Capital Cabinets
- MoenMoen (company)Moen is a product line of faucets and other fixtures started by inventor Alfred M. Moen that is now part of the Fortune Brands Home & Security company. The Moen division is headquartered in North Olmsted, Ohio. Moen was originally part of Ravenna Metal Products of Seattle, Washington...
- Fypon
- Therma-Tru Doors
- Simonton Windows
- Master LockMaster LockMaster Lock is an American company primarily known for developing and manufacturing padlocks, combination locks and related security products. Now an operating unit of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc., Master Lock Company LLC was formed in 1921 by locksmith-inventor Harry Soref, and is...
- American Lock
- Vista Window Company, Western Division
Spirits
Fortune Brands had a stable of well known spiritsDistilled beverage
A distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables...
brands, led by Jim Beam.
In July 2005, Fortune Brands and French spirits company Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is a French company that produces distilled beverages. The company's eponymous products, Pernod Anise and Ricard Pastis, are both anise-flavoured liqueurs and are often referred to simply as Pernod or Ricard...
acquired over 25 additional spirits and wine brands from British holding company Allied Domecq
Allied Domecq
Allied Domecq PLC was an international company, headquartered in Bristol, UK that operated spirits, wine, and quick service restaurant businesses. It was once a FTSE 100 Index constituent but has been acquired by Pernod Ricard.-History:...
.
In November 2007, Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands, Inc., headquartered in Victor, New York, is the world’s leading wine company with a broad portfolio of widely admired premium brands across the wine, beer and spirits categories.-History and description:...
announced a purchase of Fortune Brands' wine operations for $885 million USD, a transaction that added 1500 acres (6.1 km²) of vineyards, several major brands such as Clos du Bois, and 2.6 million cases per year of "super-premium" class wine production.
After the other product lines were sold and spun off, the remaining spirits business became Beam Inc.
Beam Inc.
Beam Inc. is a spirits company established on October 4, 2011 from the remainder of the Fortune Brands holding company after it sold and spun off various other product lines to form a business focused exclusively on spirits and directly related products...
.
List of company spirits brands
- BourbonBourbon whiskeyBourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
s: Jim BeamJim BeamJim Beam is a brand of bourbon whiskey produced in Clermont, Kentucky. It is currently one of the best selling brands of bourbon in the world. Since 1795 , seven generations of the Beam family have been involved in whiskey production for the company that produces the brand, which was given the name...
, Maker's MarkMaker's MarkMaker’s Mark is a small batch bourbon whiskey that is distilled in Loretto, Kentucky by Beam Inc.. It is sold in distinctively squarish bottles, which are sealed with red wax. The distillery offers tours, and is part of the American Whiskey Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.- History...
, Old Grand-DadOld Grand-DadOld Grand-Dad is a bourbon whiskey distilled at the Booker Noe Plant in Boston, Kentucky. The company was created by Raymond B. Hayden and named after his grandfather Basil Hayden, Sr., a well known distiller during his lifetime who is depicted on the front of each bottle. Today, it is a Beam Inc...
, Old CrowOld CrowOld Crow is a low-priced brand of Kentucky-made straight bourbon whiskey, along with the slightly higher quality, but still inexpensive Old Crow Reserve brand. It is distilled by Beam Inc., which also produces Jim Beam and several other brands of bourbon whiskey...
, Distillers' Series, Booker'sBooker'sBooker’s bourbon is one of the small batch bourbons produced by the Jim Beam distillery, which is owned by Beam Inc.. Having the highest alcohol content of the brands in the Jim Beam “Small Batch Bourbon Collection”, it is a cask strength bourbon. It was personally selected from barrels by Jim...
, Baker's, Knob CreekKnob Creek (bourbon)Knob Creek is a brand of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey produced by Beam Inc. at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. It is one of the four Jim Beam small batch bourbon brands targeted for the high-end liquor market...
, Basil Hayden'sBasil Hayden'sBasil Hayden's is the lightest bodied bourbon whiskey in the family of Jim Beam small batch bourbons produced by Beam Inc.. It is 80 proof, in contrast with its three sibling brands of higher alcohol concentration ....
- Rye Whiskeys: Jim Beam RyeJim Beam RyeJim Beam Rye is a Rye whiskey produced in Clermont, Kentucky by Beam Inc. which is headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, in Deerfield, IL.Jim Beam Rye is frequently referred to as Beam Yellow Label. It is America's top selling straight Rye whiskey. It is made with 51% rye grain so it is drier...
, Old OverholtOld OverholtOld Overholt is a long produced American rye whiskey distilled by A. Overholt & Co, currently a subsidiary of Beam Inc., at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. Old Overholt was originally distilled in Broad Ford, Pennsylvania, 35 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. It is one of the few...
, Ri1
- Blended Whiskies: Canadian ClubCanadian ClubCanadian Club is a brand of whisky from Canada. Popularly known as C.C., Canadian Club began production in 1858. It was established by Hiram Walker, and was known as Walker’s Club Whiskey. The brand is now produced by Beam Inc..-History:...
, Teacher'sTeacher's Highland CreamTeacher's Highland Cream is a brand of blended scotch whisky produced in Glasgow by the American company Beam Inc.In 1830, William Teacher took advantage of the new "Excise Act" and began selling his blended scotch. From 1832 he was selling it from his wife's grocery shop in Glasgow...
, DYC whisky, Windsor Canadian, Lord Calvert Canadian Whisky, Tangle Ridge, Alberta Springs, KesslerKesslerKessler is a television series produced by the BBC in 1981, starring Clifford Rose in the title role.The six-part serial is a sequel to the Second World War drama series Secret Army, set in the present day and following the progress of former SS Sturmbannführer Ludwig Kessler, now living under the...
, Calvert ExtraCalvert ExtraCalvert Extra is a Blended whiskey produced in Clermont, Kentucky by Beam Inc. which is headquartered in the suburbs of Chicago, in Deerfield, IL....
, Furst Bismarck
- Single Malt ScotchSingle malt ScotchSingle Malt Scotch is whisky made in Scotland using a pot still distillation process at a single distillery, with malted barley as the only grain ingredient...
es: LaphroaigLaphroaigLaphroaig , is an Islay single malt Scotch whisky distillery and brand name. It is named for the area of land at the head of Loch Laphroaig on the south coast of the Isle of Islay...
, ArdmoreArdmoreArdmore comes from the or the , meaning "great height", and may refer to:-Places:Canada:*Ardmore, Alberta*Ardmore Beach, a community in Tiny, OntarioIreland:*Ardmore, County Waterford, Republic of Ireland*Ardmore, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland...
- TequilaTequilaTequila is a spirit made from the blue agave plant, primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, northwest of Guadalajara, and in the highlands of the western Mexican state of Jalisco....
s: Sauza TequilaSauza TequilaSauza Tequila Import Company is a producer of tequila located in Tequila, a municipality of the state of Jalisco, Mexico. It was founded in 1873 when Don Cenobio Sauza started La Perseverancia distillery. Sauza Tequila Import Company is owned by Beam Inc., headquartered in the Chicago suburb...
, Hornitos de Sauza TequilaSauza TequilaSauza Tequila Import Company is a producer of tequila located in Tequila, a municipality of the state of Jalisco, Mexico. It was founded in 1873 when Don Cenobio Sauza started La Perseverancia distillery. Sauza Tequila Import Company is owned by Beam Inc., headquartered in the Chicago suburb...
, El Tesoro de Don FelipeEl Tesoro tequilaEl Tesoro is a brand of tequila produced at a distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, where the family that founded the distillery is still involved in the business. In the United States, the brand is marketed by Beam Inc....
- CognacCognacCognac is a commune in the Charente department in southwestern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Cognac is situated on the river Charente between the towns of Angoulême and Saintes. The majority of the town has been built on the river's left bank, with the smaller right...
s: CourvoisierCourvoisierCourvoisier is a brand of cognac owned by Beam Inc.. The production is now based in the town of Jarnac in the Charente department of France...
, SalignacSalignacSalignac may refer to the following communes in France:* Salignac, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department* Salignac, Gironde, in the Gironde department* Salignac-de-Mirambeau, in the Charente-Maritime department...
- VodkaVodkaVodka , is a distilled beverage. It is composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. Vodka is made by the distillation of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruits....
s: VOXVox (vodka)Vox Vodka is a 5 times distilled 80 proof wheat vodka made in the Netherlands by Beam Inc.....
, Wolfschmidt, Kamchatka, Gilbey's, Effen
- RumRumRum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels...
s: Cruzan RumCruzan RumCruzan Rum is a rum producer located in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. It is owned by Beam Inc.. Their distillery was founded in 1760 and claims the distinction of "the most honored rum distillery in the world." Weekday tours of the distillery in Frederiksted are given...
, Ronrico
- GinGinGin is a spirit which derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries . Although several different styles of gin have existed since its origins, it is broadly differentiated into two basic legal categories...
s: Larios, Gilbey's, Calvert
- Brandies: Fundador, Terry Centenario, Jacobi 1880, Tres Cepas
- Cordials: DeKuyperDeKuyperDeKuyper Royal Distillers is a privately held Dutch company in the business of manufacturing and marketing distilled spirits and liqueurs.The company was begun in 1695 by Petrus De Kuyper as a manufacturer of barrels and casks used in the transportation of spirits and beer...
, Starbucks Coffee Liqueur, Starbucks Cream Liqueur, KamoraKamoraKamora is a brand of coffee liqueur produced in Mexico. It is slightly less sweet, and also less expensive than its main competitor Kahlúa. It is the second highest selling coffee liqueur in the United States. It is 20% alcohol by volume ....
, KuemmerlingKuemmerlingKuemmerling is the brandname of a type of Kräuterlikör from Germany, belonging to the group of Halbbitter .This 35% by volume alcohol is a type of bitters. It has been in production since 1963 in Bodenheim, near Mainz using a recipe from 1938. There are about a million bottles of the typical...
, After Shock, LerouxLerouxLeroux, LeRoux, Le Roux or Roux is a surname of French origin meaning "red-haired" or "red-skinned" and may also come in certain cases from Breton roue meaning "king"...
, CastellanaCastellana-Places:* Castellana Grotte, a town in the province of Bari, Italy; famous for its caves* Castellana Sicula, a town in the province of Palermo, Italy.* Civita Castellana, a town in the province of Viterbo, 65 km north of Rome, Italy...
, SourzSourzSourz is a brand of Fruit Liqueur owned and produced by Beam Global Spirits & Wine . The liqueur is usually served as shooter, but also used in cocktails....
- Pre-Mixed Cocktails: Jim Beam & Cola, Jim Beam Black & Cola, Jim Beam Choice & Dry
- PortPort winePort wine is a Portuguese fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. It is typically a sweet, red wine, often served as a dessert wine, and comes in dry, semi-dry, and white varieties...
s: Cockburn'sCockburn's Port HouseCockburn’s Port is a port producer in Portugal.It started as a family-owned business and went through 48 years of ownership by various large corporations before returning to private family ownership in 2010 as part of Symington Family Estates.- History :...
- SherriesSherrySherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are grown near the town of Jerez , Spain. In Spanish, it is called vino de Jerez....
: HarveysJohn Harvey & SonsJohn Harvey & Sons was a wine merchant, started by John Harvey in Bristol, England in 1796, and specializing in importing Spanish and Portuguese wines. During the 1860s and 1880s, in the company's cellars John Harvey II and his brother Edward Harvey developed the world’s first cream sherry now...