Suntory aims for gold in global ready-to-drink market

TOKYO -- With overseas sales now making up a majority of the groupwide total, Japan's Suntory Holdings is aiming to lead the world in the fast-growing market for ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages.

"Coca-Cola in the U.S. holds the gold medal in soft drinks, while U.K.-based Diageo holds the gold medal in alcohol," said Takeshi Niinami, who became Suntory's first CEO from outside the founding family a decade ago. "Suntory's strength is that we play in both fields."