Beam Suntory expands spirits distribution footprint in the US. Credit: Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash.

US-based spirits company Beam Suntory has expanded its alignment with alcohol beverage distributor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer’s) in the US.

Under the arrangement, Southern Glazer’s will add nine markets to the existing 34 market distribution relationship.

Southern Glazer’s CEO Wayne Chaplin said: “We greatly appreciate that Beam Suntory has entrusted us with the responsibility to work with them on a national level

“Utilising our nationwide network and resources will significantly increase efficiencies for Beam Suntory and allow us to use economies of scale to achieve our joint business priorities. We look forward to many more years of success together.”

From 1 April, Southern Glazer’s will distribute all the beverage brands of the company across 43 US markets.

In January 2017, Beam Suntory signed a new 37-state corporate long-term distribution agreement with Southern Glazer’s.

Southern Glazer’s agreed to distribute a portfolio of the company’s brands through its US network in 21  markets until 2030.

Beam Suntory North America president Greg Hughes said: “Southern Glazer’s has been a significant partner in the growth of our business for 33 years.

“Our move to consolidate our business with Southern Glazer’s is part of a larger strategic imperative to simplify our routes to market, get closer to customers and consumers, and accelerate the premiumization of our portfolio.”

Last May, Beam Suntory decided to bring distribution operations in-house in Brazil.

Under the plan, the company planned to assume the management and ownership of its route to market and ended its prior agreement with Bacardi.