Fourth-generation owned beer distributor Petitpren Inc. raises a glass in celebration of 90 years in business

October 24, 2023

Petitpren’s continued success made possible by hardworking employees, relentless focus on quality, community service


CLINTON TWP., Mich. – A leader among beer distributors in Michigan since 1933, Petitpren Inc. is proud to celebrate 90 years in business this year. The company’s continued success is made possible by the hard work and commitment of its employees, a relentless focus on quality, and giving back to the communities it proudly serves. 


“My great-grandfather, Frank E. Petitpren, started this company out of a six-car garage on Broadway on the Clinton River in Mt. Clemens immediately following the end of Prohibition before moving to a location on Market Street,” said Brad Petitpren, president of Petitpren Inc. “Thanks to his leadership and that of my grandfather, Stan, and my father, Dean, our company established a mission to provide the highest quality products, a wide variety of choices, and superior service to our customers. It is a legacy I am proud to continue today alongside our hardworking, dedicated employees and my sons, Austin and Alec, who represent the fifth generation of our family in the business.”


With a commitment to building strong partnerships with its suppliers and giving back to its surrounding communities, Petitpren Inc. exemplifies the deep roots and longstanding histories for which Michigan’s beer and wine distributors are known. Petitpren donates more than $100,000 to local charities and municipalities each year and is a co-founder of SADD Michigan, a student-based organization that fights underage drinking and promotes alcohol education to minors.


“Our connections with the people in the communities where we live and work are integral to our company’s past and future prosperity,” said Taylor Ickes, HR manager at Petitpren. “Our team prioritizes contributing to the growth and success of Macomb County by staying active in sponsoring local events and activities that benefit health and wellness, children and youth, recreation, the environment, and more. We look forward to continuing to strengthen the presence and relationships we have built in our local communities for many years to come.”


Last year, Petitpren Inc. broke ground on a 30,000-square-foot addition to its Clinton Township warehouse. The expansion is helping the distributor accommodate a growing roster of suppliers and a draft cooler and represents Petitpren’s continued investment in the local community and good-paying jobs.


A dedicated steward of the environment, Petitpren Inc. has undertaken many energy efficiency projects over the past 10 years and recycles approximately 2 million pounds of aluminum annually.


Petitpren Inc. proudly serves retailers in Macomb County and a sliver of Wayne County, including the city of Hamtramck. In 1980, the company moved into its current location on Groesbeck Highway in Clinton Township. The warehouse sits on 10 acres of land, housing 135,000 square feet of warehouse space. Petitpren Inc. employs 102 people, including 95 full-time and 7 part-time workers.

Mid-Michigan beer distributor celebrates 65 years in business, three generations of family leadership

By Rebecca Stow • May 4, 2026
OWOSSO, Mich. – Main Beverage Company marks 65 years in business this year, celebrating three generations of family leadership and a legacy rooted in mid-Michigan.

Ypsilanti beer distributor partners on limited-edition release for Ann Arbor Summer Festival

By Rebecca Stow • April 14, 2026
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Local, family-owned beer distributor O&W Inc. in Ypsilanti is celebrating its collaboration with Michigan-based Griffin Claw Brewing Company to develop a limited-edition Session IPA for the upcoming Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF).

Detroit News: Rooted in Community, Driven to Lead: Women in Michigan’s Beer and Wine Distribution Industry

By Rebecca Stow • March 17, 2026
Across Michigan’s beer and wine distribution industry, women are helping shape the future of our businesses and the communities we serve. As president and CEO of John P. O’Sullivan Distributing in Grand Blanc Township and the third woman to chair the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association (MB&WWA) Board of Directors, I’m proud to be part of a growing group of women leading with purpose and perspective. This year is especially meaningful for our company as we celebrate 50 years in business. Reaching that milestone is a reminder that strong local businesses are built over time through dedication, adaptability and the people who make long-term success possible—including the growing number of women shaping the future of the industry. Our work as beer and wine distributors is about far more than logistics. It’s about building resilient businesses that support jobs, give back locally and help maintain a fair and competitive marketplace. From sales and operations to finance, marketing and delivery, women are making meaningful contributions at every level of our industry. Distributors are proud to be local businesses with deep roots. We live and work in the communities we serve, and we embrace opportunities to give back—whether supporting neighborhood events, partnering with charitable organizations or helping local retailers succeed. That spirit of service is integral to our businesses and something we strive to carry forward. Beer and wine distributors also play a critical role in Michigan’s three-tier system, moving products safely and efficiently from supplier to shelf. This system supports competition and gives consumers access to an extraordinary variety of high-quality choices, from Michigan-made craft beverages to well-known national brands. As we celebrate Women’s History Month in March, I’m honored to recognize the many women who help drive Michigan’s beer and wine distribution industry forward. The continued success of this industry reflects the collaboration and determination of the people behind it—and women are playing an essential role in shaping what comes next. Joanie O’Sullivan-Butler is president and CEO of John P. O’Sullivan Distributing Inc. in Grand Blanc Township. She is also chair of the MB&WWA Board of Directors and sits on the MB&WWA Women’s Advocacy Committee.