Beam to Locate New Global Business Services Center in Downtown Louisville

Beam to Locate New Global Business Services Center in Downtown Louisville

New Center Will Bring 60 Professional Jobs to the Commonwealth

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Beam Inc. (NYS: BEAM) , a leading global premium spirits company, announced today that Louisville will be the home of its new Global Business Services Center. Expected to open in Q2 2013, the center will be located at 400 S. Fourth Street and will provide a highly visible presence for the world's No. 1 Bourbon maker, Beam, in the heart of Fourth Street Live! The center will bring 60 new professional jobs to the Commonwealth.

As part of a companywide efficiency and effectiveness initiative, Beam's Global Business Services Center will combine select financial and human resources transactional activities into one centralized hub. The center will act as the primary point of contact for Beam's North America business in the areas of benefits, compensation, accounts payable, payroll and other key business processes. Half of the 60 positions have already been hired and are operating out of an interim site in Shepherdsville, Ky. The remaining positions will be filled over the next 12 months.

"Bourbon is a booming business, as evidenced by Beam's new Global Business Services Center. It's exciting to see our signature spirit making worldwide impact," said Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. "We're proud to see our bourbon businesses making these investments and staying grounded in the Commonwealth."

"This is a big win for Louisville, as Beam has chosen our city for its new Global Business Services Center," said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. "We couldn't be more pleased to have Beam, representing Kentucky's signature Bourbon industry, right in the heart of our downtown and bringing new corporate jobs to the city."

Plans regarding the renovation of the 24,000 square-foot second floor space will begin immediately, with construction expected to begin early next year. Beam will make an estimated total investment of $1.7 million in building materials and equipment to retrofit the office space.

"We are proud to strengthen Beam's long-standing commitment to the Commonwealth of Kentucky," said Juan Rodriguez, senior director of Global Business Services at Beam. "Our new Global Business Services Center will house top talent and put Beam's key business transactional activities in one of the most vibrant business capitals in the state. We are thankful for the support of Governor Beshear, Mayor Fischer, the entire city of Louisville and the KEDFA as we continue to grow for the future in Kentucky."

The Louisville Global Business Center announcement follows the recent grand opening of Beam's American Stillhouse visitors' experience and Global Innovation Center, a combined multi-year investment of $30 million, in Clermont, Ky. Beam currently employs more than 850 people throughout the Commonwealth at its manufacturing plants in Boston, Clermont, Frankfort and Loretto.

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, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, EFFEN Vodka, Pucker Flavored Vodka, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC, DeKuyper Cordials, and Skinnygirl Cocktails. 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 3,300 passionate associates worldwide generated 2011 sales of $2.8 billion, volume of 34 million 9-liter 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.

Beam Inc.
Paula Erickson
P: 847.444.7590
E: paula.erickson@beamglobal.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America Illinois Kentucky

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