General Distributors Establishes Craft Sales Team

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One of Oregon’s top beer distributors is investing behind its portfolio of craft offerings.

Oregon City’s General Distributors Inc., a 3 million case-per-year outfit that delivers beer to 11 counties in the greater Portland area, last week announced plans to launch a dedicated “craft & specialty team” that will “position the company for future growth and success.”

Bob Repp, who currently serves as a regional manager for Green Flash Brewing, has joined the company as its new vice president of craft & specialty. He will report directly to Steve ‘Tiny’ Irwin, the division’s general manager.

“I’m excited that Bob has decided to join the GDI Team in this critical role,” Irwin said in a press statement. “Within the craft and specialty world, Bob will be responsible for all aspects of the GDI craft & specialty business from creating the GDI corporate strategy, working closely with our suppliers to establish clear standards and expectations, strengthening our current brewery relationships and creating relationships with potential future partners.”

Prior to Green Flash, Repp actually spent 12 years with two competitor Portland-based distributors, Columbia Distributing and Morgan Distributing.

Also joining the newly created craft division is Douglas Remington, who, for the last 23 years, served as the beverage director and fermentation supplies manager for Mainbrew/ABV, a hybrid homebrew supply shop and beer garden.

“Douglas brings a level of brewing and cider expertise to GDI that will set us apart from competition,” Irwin said in the release.

In his new role as a craft & specialty sales manager, Remington will be responsible for educating the General Distributing sales force and building relationships with on and off-premise craft-centric accounts, the company said.

Founded in 1933, General Distributors sells a variety of craft and non-craft offerings, including products from MillerCoors, Constellation, Sierra Nevada, Victory Brewing and Green Flash, among others. It is also a part owner in Great Artisan Beverage, a multi-state network of independent beverage wholesalers that provides sales, marketing and distribution services to craft brewers.