Beam Committed To A Sustainable Environment

CLERMONT, Ky., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to environmental sustainability, Jim Beam, home to the world's No.1-selling bourbon, proudly reports that its efforts raise the bar. As the world recognizes Earth Day, the company is poised to receive full LEED "Gold" certification at its new visitors' center, The Jim Beam American Stillhouse, located on the company's flagship distillery grounds in Clermont, Ky. The voluntary LEED certification process, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, demonstrates leadership, innovation, environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

"As the world's No. 1 Bourbon producer, Beam is committed to sustainable operating practices that minimize our carbon footprint and work in harmony with the environment," said Steve Lutes, VP Technical Services. "We are proud of the strides we have made to protect our earth's precious resources and make a difference."

According to Lutes, Beam has a dedicated Environmental Management Committee that oversees improvement of its systems and processes worldwide.

"Each year, we challenge ourselves to find new ways to protect and preserve our resources. After more than two centuries in business, we understand and appreciate what the land, especially Kentucky water, has meant to our whiskey, so we take a diligent approach when it comes to protecting the environment," said Lutes.

As part of that approach, Beam focuses on a handful of sustainability tenets including: water preservation, energy conservation and recycling.

"'Reduce, reuse, recycle,' are simple words we live by as a company," said Lutes.

As part of its environmental commitment, the recent construction of The Jim Beam American Stillhouse:  

• used 25 percent recycled materials;
• achieves 50 percent annual water savings due to the low-flow fixtures, faucets and flush valves in the American Stillhouse;
• has 100 percent controlled lighting in its facilities to save energy; and
• diverted 79 percent of its construction waste from landfills.

These measures mark the dedication that Beam has for sustaining the environment.

Nestled in the rolling foothills of Kentucky and steeped in rich 218-year history, The Jim Beam American Stillhouse construction honored that history during development and construction. From a welcome desk crafted from repurposed Cypress wood to concrete made with a high volume of fly ash from coal fired boilers to the use of the wooden entrance door and cast iron exterior staircase that were original to the Jim Beam distillery, the company's overall commitment to natural resource conservation can be seen across multiple touch points along the tour. Even 100 percent of the white oak barrels used to age Jim Beam Bourbon are repurposed for everything from other distilled spirits to wood products.

Similar efforts are made daily at all Beam facilities worldwide. Just last year, Beam burned less coal and more natural gas at its Booker Noe plant in Boston, Ky., thereby reducing eCO2 produced by five percent while spirits production increased. The company also implemented a recycling system to allow for the co-mingling of certain recyclables such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and aluminum cans.

For more information about Beam's environmental and sustainability practices, visit www.BeamGlobal.com. To learn more about The Jim Beam American Stillhouse, visit AmericanStillhouse.com.

About Beam Inc.
As one of the world's leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker's Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher's Scotch Whisky, Skinnygirl Cocktails, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC and DeKuyper Cordials.  Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,400 passionate associates worldwide generated 2012 sales of $2.5 billion (excluding excise taxes), volume of 38 million 9-liter equivalent cases and some of the industry's fastest growing innovations. 

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index.  For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

© 2013 Beam Inc., Deerfield, IL

SOURCE Beam Inc.