Beam (FRA:BJM) Debt-to-EBITDA : 2.96 (As of Dec. 2013)

Beam Inc., is incorporated under the laws of Delaware in 1985. On May 30, 1997, the Company's name was changed from American Brands, Inc. to Fortune Brands, Inc. Following the spin-off on October 3, 2011, the Company became a standalone Spirits Company under the name Beam Inc. It is a premium spirits company that makes and sells branded distilled spirits products in major markets. The Company's three reportable segments are the geographic regions of North America, EMEA and APSA. Each segment is engaged in the manufacture and sale of distilled spirits products. Its principal products include bourbon whiskey, Scotch whisky, Canadian whisky, tequila, cognac, rum, cordials, and ready-to-drink pre-mixed cocktails. The Company's portfolio consists of brands it identifies as Power Brands, Rising Stars, Local Jewels and Value Creators. The Power Brands are the core brand equities, with its reach in premium categories and large annual sales volume. Rising Stars are smaller premium brands in priority markets. Brands identified as Local Jewels act as Power Brands in local markets. Value Creators include a variety of brands competing across multiple categories. The principal markets for its spirits products are the United States, Australia, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Canada, and continues to invest in emerging markets such as India, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Central Europe, Asia, and other geographies. The Company operates its business on the basis of geographical regions, consisting of North America, Europe/Middle East/Africa, and Asia-Pacific/South America. Its peak season for business is the fourth calendar quarter due to holiday buying. Raw materials for the production, storage and aging of distilled products are corn and other grains for whiskies and other spirits, agave for tequila, molasses for rum, grapes for cognac and fortified wines, new or used oak barrels, and plastic and glass for bottles. These materials are generally readily available from a number of sources, except that new oak barrels are available from only a few sources. The Company uses different business models to market and distribute its products in different regions of the world. In the U.S., it sells products either to wholesale distributors for resale to retail outlets or, in those states that control alcohol sales, to state governments who then sell them to retail customers and consumers. It competes on the basis of product quality, brand image, innovation, price, and service in response to consumer preferences. The production, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of its products are subject to regulation by federal, state, local, and foreign authorities.