Lion

Lion operates as an Australian beverage company that produces a range of alcoholic and non‑alcoholic drinks. Its core portfolio includes beer, wine, cider and dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese. The company supplies these goods to retailers, hospitality venues and export markets across Australia and New Zealand. Lion’s brand portfolio encompasses well‑known labels such as XXXX, Tooheys, James Boag’s and Little Creatures in the beer segment. In the dairy division, Lion markets products under the Dairy Farmers, Pauls and Dare brands. The company’s reach extends to both domestic consumers and international customers seeking Australian‑made beverages and dairy items.

A distinguishing attribute of Lion is its dual focus on both the brewing and dairy sectors, allowing it to leverage shared logistics and distribution networks. The company holds a notable position in the Australian market as one of the few large‑scale producers that combine alcoholic beverage manufacturing with dairy processing. Lion’s operational competencies include large‑scale brewing facilities, modern dairy processing plants and an extensive cold‑chain logistics system. The business was formed in 2009 through the merger of Lion Nathan’s brewing operations and National Foods’ dairy division. Following the merger, Lion became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kirin Holdings, a Japanese multinational beverage and food group. Kirin’s acquisition provided Lion with access to global research and development resources while maintaining its local production footprint. The June 2020 ransomware attack disrupted Lion’s computer systems, prompting a temporary shutdown of key operations. The incident affected manufacturing lines and customer service channels, leading to short‑term shortages of several beer and dairy products. Lion responded by isolating affected systems, engaging external cyber‑security experts and gradually restoring services. The episode underscored the importance of cyber‑resilience for integrated production and supply‑chain infrastructure in the beverage and dairy sectors.