Local veteran-owned and operated beer distributor celebrates 90 years in business

November 9, 2023

Ludington Beverage Co. Inc. proud of employees who bravely served our country at home and abroad, remains committed to supporting veterans


LUDINGTON, Mich. – Michigan’s beer and wine distributors are pillars in their communities across the state with longstanding histories that often span multiple generations. Ludington Beverage Co. Inc. this year celebrates 90 years of delivering some of the world’s best beers across Northwest Michigan. The beer distributor is proud to be entirely veteran-owned and operated.

 

“Since the ratification of the 21st Amendment repealing Prohibition in 1933, the Ludington Beverage family has served the communities in which they live and serve with a commitment to bring the local people a variety of their favorite beverages,” said Tad Reed, president of Ludington Beverage Co. Inc. “This company has seen tremendous growth and success as a leader in our industry and local communities we serve. I am proud to represent the fourth generation at Ludington Beverage Co. Inc., working alongside our dedicated family of employees to promote choice and competition while delivering the best products and superior service to our customers. We are all stewards of this business and build upon the legacy of Peck and Vera Reed, Bud Sr. and Dorothy Reed, and Budde Reed.”

 

Ludington Beverage Co. Inc. prides itself on being 100% veteran-owned and operated. The distributor proudly supports Folds of Honor, an organization that helps ensure local families of fallen or disabled U.S. military members and families of first responders receive educational opportunities and support through its scholarship program.

 

“On Veterans Day and every day, we salute and respect the sacrifices made by our service men and women and their families to protect the freedoms we cherish as Americans,” said Rick Tyndall, co-owner of Ludington Beverage Co. Inc. “We, along with our families, have also made those sacrifices for our country, and are uniquely positioned to take advantage of every opportunity to support our veteran services organizations across our region and beyond.”

 

The City of Ludington celebrated its 150th birthday in June. Ludington Beverage Co. Inc. was pleased to bring the World-Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales to town to celebrate the Sesquicentennial milestone and its own 90th anniversary in business. The beer distributor was thrilled to raise $10,000 for Folds of Honor throughout the week of celebrations.

 

Ludington Beverage Co. Inc. is a locally and entirely veteran-owned and operated beverage distributor that serves seven counties in Northwest Michigan. Its team markets, sells, and distributes Anheuser-Busch InBev and regional brands, Michigan crafts, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.

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.