Andrews Distributing Finalizes Purchase of Coors Wholesaler

Andrews Distributing Company today announced it has finalized the purchase of the former Coors Distributing Company in Fort Worth, Tex, gaining eight new brewing partners and over 3,000 retail accounts in the region.

The acquisition, according to a press release, is expected to increase Andrews’ beer and Red Bull sales from 28 million to 33 million cases annually.

“North Texas is at the epicenter of an explosive growth in the beer industry,” said company founder Barry Andrews. “I am humbled for the opportunity to extend our services and value- added assistance to Tarrant and Johnson county retailers and, of course, to our brewery partners here.”

Andrews, though already a player in Fort Worth, will almost double its workforce as a result of the acquisition and will acquire the rights to large brands like Coors, Heineken, and Boston Beer Co., which it currently distributes in other areas of Texas.

“These combined Fort Worth facilities will now equal the employee population at our other centers, and those men and women will service new brewery partners and hundreds of additional retailer partners,” said Mike McGuire, company president. “Clearly, those facts establish Fort Worth as our fourth ‘hometown’ joining Dallas, Allen and Corpus Christi. Most importantly, this particular market has a remarkable potential for growth.”

The full press release is below:

DALLAS/FORT WORTH, March 31, 2014 — Andrews Distributing Company commemorates its opening business day as the new owner of the former Coors Distributing Company of Fort Worth today. The purchase, announced as a possibility last month, was finalized over the weekend and marks a significant increase in the Andrews beer and beverage distributorship footprint in North Texas. Already one of the nation’s largest wholesalers, Andrews now gains eight brewing partners in Tarrant and Johnson counties as well as over 3000 retail accounts in the region and likely increases its beer and Red Bull sales from 28 million cases to 33 million cases per annum.

“North Texas is at the epicenter of an explosive growth in the beer industry,” said company founder Barry Andrews. “I am humbled for the opportunity to extend our services and value- added assistance to Tarrant and Johnson county retailers and, of course, to our brewery partners here.”

Andrews Distributing already had more than 1100 employees, managing major facilities in Dallas, Allen and Corpus Christi along with the smaller Fort Worth local operation after Andrews bought the local Miller distributorship in 2008.

In February, following reports on the possible Coors acquisition, Andrews confirmed it is examining the feasibility of building a new state-of-the art distribution center at a local site fronting 820, about a mile west of I-35W. Andrews purchased the site in 2012; it would be planned to accommodate the entire Tarrant portfolio.

“It’s an ideal location to consolidate our local operations and build a world-class facility similar to our Allen location,” said Mike McGuire, company president.

The company won’t need many introductions in Fort Worth because of its existing Fort Worth presence. Already Andrews is active in significant community events and charities. The purchase of Coors Distributing, however, almost doubles the number of local workers and adds brewing partners and brands such as the Coors franchise, Boston Beer Company, Heineken USA, Mark Anthony, Pabst Brewing Company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Blue Moon brand franchise and locally-based Rahr & Son’s Brewing Company.

“These combined Fort Worth facilities will now equal the employee population at our other centers, and those men and women will service new brewery partners and hundreds of additional retailer partners,” said McGuire. “Clearly, those facts establish Fort Worth as our fourth ‘hometown’ joining Dallas, Allen and Corpus Christi. Most importantly, this particular market has a remarkable potential for growth.”

Today, however, Andrews will be celebrating its newest business expansion by hosting a tailgate party at Globe Life Park in Arlington where the Rangers will launch the 2014 season. Over 600 retailers who have been serviced by the former Coors Distributorship owners will attend.

“It’s a double play of sorts,” said Andrews, “and we are excited to be launching our mission of creating great beer experiences for retailers and their customers. We are all about service and execution. That will soon be evident to our new Tarrant and Johnson County customers.”