Upper Peninsula’s Pike Distributors celebrates job growth, innovation

February 3, 2025

Third generation-owned beer distributor’s new facility supports job creation, economic growth

NEGAUNEE, Mich. – Pike Distributors, a family-owned beer distributor in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula since 1937, is celebrating significant milestones under the leadership of third-generation owners Jack and Sarah Ketvirtis.

 

“We are proud of our company’s rich history, which began in 1937 when our grandfather, Stan Ketvirtis, was selling beer out of a pick-up truck,” said Jack Ketvirtis, president of Pike Distributors. “Since 2018, we have grown from about 45 employees to over 110 and operate a fleet of 45 semi-trucks across the United States. This success is built on the strength of our partnerships with suppliers and wholesalers in Wisconsin and northern Michigan and the dedication of our hardworking team.”

 

Pike’s growth has allowed it to expand its operations and invest in advanced infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art warehouse in Gladstone completed in 2023. The new facility enhances the company’s ability to efficiently serve its extensive footprint, which includes Marquette, Delta, Alger, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, Luce and Chippewa counties. Pike also operates warehouses in Marquette and Newberry.

 

“Our new beer distribution center in Gladstone represents a major milestone,” said Sarah Ketvirtis, vice president of Pike Distributors. “It reflects our commitment to innovation and exceptional service while enabling us to attract and retain top talent with competitive wages and superior benefits. Our team is the heart of what we do, and we couldn’t achieve this success without them.”

 

As Pike Distributors looks to the future, its focus remains on fostering growth, investing in its team, strengthening valued partnerships and a continued commitment to enhancing the communities where they live, work and serve.

 

About Pike Distributors Inc.

Founded in 1937, Pike Distributors is a family-owned beer distributor in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Under the leadership of third-generation owners Jack and Sarah Ketvirtis, the company has grown to employ over 110 people and operates a fleet of 45 semi-trucks nationwide. Pike serves Marquette, Delta, Alger, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, Luce and Chippewa counties and expanded its operations in 2023 by opening a state-of-the-art distribution center in Gladstone to help serve its entire footprint.

 

This Google Drive folder contains more photos and aerial drone footage of Pike Distributors’ warehouse in Gladstone, built in 2023.



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.

Detroit News: This industry thrives because of the people who power it

By Rebecca Stow • December 30, 2025
As we close out the year, I’ve found myself reflecting on the milestones our industry has achieved and the people who made them possible. The skilled professionals who work in Michigan’s beer and wine distribution industry often start with a job that evolves into a long, fulfilling career with family-owned businesses deeply rooted in the communities they serve. Throughout 2025, the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association was proud to share the stories of over 100 individuals from across our industry, including women leaders, logistics professionals, truck drivers, veterans, salespeople, and more. We posed a simple question: What do you love most about working in beer and wine distribution? Across each campaign, a clear theme emerged among the answers: the people. Michigan’s independent beer and wine distributors support more than 6,400 jobs statewide, and each one involves building relationships. Whether helping a new restaurant choose the perfect draft lineup or wine list, sharing knowledge about new products and trends, making a delivery, or supporting a team member through their first big sale, these individuals take pride in working together to help their business partners and communities thrive. They know that success in the beer and wine industry isn’t just about what’s in the bottle—it’s about the people behind it. Throughout the holiday season and beyond, beer and wine distributors bring commitment and expertise to every aspect of this fast-paced, constantly evolving industry. They help consumers access a wide variety of quality products that are often shared during life’s big and small celebrations, bringing people together through shared experiences and traditions. The camaraderie in this industry sets it apart, creating meaningful work built on collaboration, trust, and shared success. Michigan’s beer and wine distributors are always seeking talented individuals to join their teams. From marketing, finance, and sales to warehouse operations, truck driving, or other essential roles, there are many rewarding career paths to explore. We encourage anyone interested in a dynamic, people-focused industry to reach out to their local distributors and learn more about available opportunities. As we look ahead to a new year, the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association remains committed to elevating and amplifying the remarkable work our distributors do. Their dedication turns everyday work into community impact and makes this industry truly exceptional. Spencer Nevins is the president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association in Lansing.