H. Cox & Son putting in extra hours, giving back to local community during holiday season

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – H. Cox & Son Inc. employees are putting in extra hours to help ensure retailers are well-stocked ahead of the busy holiday season. Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day is a busy time for the beer distributor, with sales spiking 50% the weeks before each holiday and skyrocketing business at local bars and supermarkets leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“We’re proud to partner with suppliers across Michigan and beyond to help ensure consumers have an unmatched selection of beer to enjoy this holiday season,” said Mark Ribel, president of H. Cox & Son Inc. “It’s a special experience to live and work in Traverse City, where so many people return to spend the holidays with their loved ones this time of year. From drivers and warehouse employees to leadership, everyone at H. Cox & Son takes great pride in how we operate as a team to promote growth, choices, and competition as we serve our customers and community during the holidays and every day.”

Michigan’s independent, family-owned beer distributors employ nearly 5,000 people and have an economic impact of nearly $5 million in local communities statewide. H. Cox & Son exemplifies the industry’s commitment to improving the communities where employees and leadership live and work through their involvement and sponsorship of numerous organizations and local events, including Munson Hospital Cancer Center, Munson Hospital Stroke Initiative, Northwestern Michigan College Foundation, and Traverse City YMCA, along with many local high school extracurricular activities.

“At H. Cox & Son, we are passionate about giving back to our community and gladly embrace any opportunity to support other local businesses and charitable organizations,” Ribel said. “We are very fortunate to be part of a fifth-generation family business. With H. Cox & Son being part of the Traverse City community since 1933, many generations of bars, restaurants, and stores have supported and helped us grow. Giving back to our local community is our way of saying, ‘Thank you.’ We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Cheers to a great 2024!”

Tracing its company roots back 90 years, H. Cox & Son has a rich history in the Traverse City community. The beer distributor has worked hard to diversify its inventory in a dynamic tourist area market, with 35% of business done in the summer months. If you buy an Anheuser-Busch product within a 60-mile radius of Traverse City, it comes through H. Cox & Son’s warehouse, along with several non-alcoholic beverages. H. Cox & Son employs 60 people and services seven counties in northwest Michigan.