RNDC Purchases White Mountain Beverage
National wine and spirits distributor Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) has acquired the independent Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B) beer wholesaler White Mountain Beverage in Alaska.
White Mountain – which will now be known as RNDC Alaska – has offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, Alaska, and Renton, Washington.
The purchase also includes the ownership of White Mountain subsidiary K&L Distributors, which has associates in Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Utah and Wyoming, all of which will transition their employment to RNDC in January.
“This purchase gives RNDC a unique competitive advantage, allowing RNDC to be the only wholesaler to own the full route to market in the state of Alaska,” Bob Hendrickson, RNDC COO, said in a press release. “[K&L president] Don Grasse continues to lead the beer, spirit and wine business, making RNDC the only company with local control and national expertise. We believe this will bring more stability to the business in the Alaska marketplace and a platform for future growth.”
RDNC operates in 37 states, plus Washington, D.C., and plans to add New York in 2022, according to the release.
Financial details of the acquisition were not released.
Breakthru Beverage to Acquire Major Brands
Breakthru Beverage Group is set to acquire Missouri-based beverage alcohol distributor Major Brands, following an agreement announced Wednesday.
The acquisition is expected to close this spring. Financial details were not disclosed.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Breakthru to further solidify our standing in the Midwest,” Tom Bené, Breakthru president and CEO, said in a press release. “We have an ambitious growth agenda, and this move marks another step forward as we continue to seek opportunities across North America.
“We intend to align our family-led businesses, embrace opportunities for innovation and build on Major Brands’ strong service, community and people-oriented culture to expand our relationships in Missouri,” he continued.
Things will “remain business as usual” at Major Brands, with Sue McCollum continuing as CEO, according to the release. She emphasized that acquisition simply strengthens the company’s “position in the industry, while maintaining [its] values and commitment to community and culture.”
Major Brands’ beer portfolio includes Cigar City, Deschutes, Heineken, Firestone Walker, Founders, Rogue, Stone, 4 Hands, and Urban Chestnut, among others.
Breakthru operates beer, wine and spirits distributors in 12 states (Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin), as well as Washington D.C. and throughout Canada. Its portfolio includes offerings from Molson Coors Beverage Company, Diageo, Heineken USA, Mark Anthony Brands, and more.
Bené took over as CEO in October, following the retirement of Greg Baird, who held the position since 2016.