Detroit News: Nevins: Beer and wine distributors positively impact communities
Let’s Celebrate Michigan’s Independent Beer and Wine Distributors During Small Business Month
May is Small Business Month—a time to recognize the hardworking people who power our economy and invest in our communities. Among them are Michigan’s independent beer and wine distributors: local businesses that make it possible for your favorite beverages to reach your neighborhood stores, restaurants and bars.
These family-owned companies have deep roots in the communities they serve, with many tracing their beginnings back to the end of Prohibition in 1933. Over the decades, multiple generations have grown their operations and evolved to meet the changing needs of consumers, suppliers and retailers across Michigan.
Today, they provide thousands of good-paying jobs with benefits. Michigan beer distributors employ 3,806 people and wine distributors employ 2,641 individuals—together supporting more than 6,400 jobs across the state. From drivers and warehouse teams to sales, logistics and operations professionals, these are high-impact jobs that drive economic growth across Michigan—from busy cities to rural communities to the lakeshores and across the Upper Peninsula.
Beyond job creation, Michigan beer and wine distributors help ensure a vibrant and competitive marketplace by working with over 2,000 alcohol producers, including more than 800 based right here in the Great Lakes State. They warehouse, sell, deliver, merchandise and market a vast selection of quality products, making it easier for retailers to stock local favorites and exciting new offerings.
The impacts of these businesses extend far beyond logistics. Beer and wine distributors are also deeply committed to giving back to the communities where they are proud to live and work. They invest more than $6.5 million in over 2,200 charities and community-based events every year.
Michigan’s beer and wine distributors understand the challenges that come with growth, innovation and adaptation. They continue to lead with integrity, helping new brands reach the marketplace, empowering consumer choice, and upholding the standards of Michigan’s Three-Tier System for alcohol distribution.
During Small Business Month, we are proud to recognize these local companies for their economic impact, community investment, and dedication to keeping Michigan’s beer and wine industry thriving. And we are looking forward to an exciting future ahead.
Spencer Nevins is the president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association in Lansing.
