Chicago’s Hometown Spirits Company Donates Hand Sanitizer During Covid-19

16 April 2020

Chicago’s Hometown Spirits Company Donates Hand Sanitizer During Covid-19

April 16, 2020 (CHICAGO) – Chicago-based Beam Suntory donated 2,000 gallons of its hand sanitizer to support local medical professionals, first responders and health facilities combatting COVID-19 in Illinois. Beam Suntory will continue to work closely with public officials to understand the most urgent needs and supply this critical product as available.

“Everyone at Beam Suntory is grateful to all those working so tirelessly on the front lines to protect our communities, and we’re proud to support their efforts,” said Albert Baladi, President and CEO at Beam Suntory. “Chicago thrives when neighbors support neighbors, and that’s helped inspire our team to rapidly repurpose part of our operations to produce hand sanitizer so that we can help meet the urgent needs of our city.”

Beam Suntory has also donated hand sanitizer to first responders, medical professionals, and other essential service providers in Kentucky. The company has adapted the pilot plant within its Global Innovation Center in Clermont, Kentucky into a space that safely and efficiently meets the stringent demands of producing FDA-approved hand sanitizer.

“In an unprecedented public health emergency, it’s critical that our community comes together to create a united front. When Beam Suntory reached out to my office about shifting their production to hand sanitizer, I was glad to connect its team with local hospitals and first responders,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. “I’m grateful that organizations like Beam Suntory are adapting during this time of crisis to support our community and Chicagoans battling coronavirus on the front lines.”

"COVID-19 has absolutely disrupted our lives in Chicago; however; I am appreciative of the local philanthropic and business community, like Beam Suntory, via their donation of hand sanitizer to be used by first responders and medical personal on the front lines of treatment to our infected citizens. I continue to encourage all to give as much as you can to those right now that need it the most," said U.S. Representative Danny K. Davis.

“Beam Suntory’s actions support countless Chicagoans working day and night to fight this disease and demonstrate the vitally important role Chicago businesses play in our City’s response to this crisis and our future recovery,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “I am grateful for our hometown company’s partnership during this difficult time, and look forward to Beam Suntory and its employees continuing to thrive in Chicago for years to come.”

In addition to hand sanitizer production, Beam Suntory has donated $1 million to the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG) and the Restaurant Workers Community Foundation in partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. These organizations provide critical support for the bar and restaurant community by providing financial aid and other resources for workers who are most impacted by COVID-19. The company’s Maker’s Mark brand has also partnered with the LEE Initiative to expand its restaurant worker relief program to cities including Chicago.

Beam Suntory’s hand sanitizer donation is just the most recent example of the company’s commitment to Chicago. The company is partnering with City Colleges of Chicago to develop beverage management concentrations at the Washburne Culinary & Hospitality Institute. Classes are expected to begin this fall. Beam Suntory also partnered with the Friends of the Chicago River to improve conditions in local forest preserves and along the Chicago River, including near Beam Suntory’s global headquarters at the Mart.

You can learn more about Beam Suntory’s international donations and commitments during COVID-19 by visiting its website: https://www.beamsuntory.com/en/growing-for-good and following the company on Twitter: @beamsuntory or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beamsuntory/.

About Beam Suntory

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit https://www.beamsuntory.com/ and https://www.drinksmart.com/.