Dallas, Texas-based Glazer’s Inc. plans to separate the majority of its malt beverage distribution business prior to the closing of its combination with Southern Wine & Spirits of America Inc.
As a result of the separation, the beer business within Glazer’s existing MillerCoors footprint will operate under a new company called Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, which will continue to be wholly owned by the Glazer family.
Glazer’s Beer & Beverage will have operations in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas and Iowa, distributing approximately 25 million cases annually. The executive leadership team will include Bennett Glazer as chairman, Sheldon “Shelly” Stein as CEO, Phil Meacham as president and COO, Orman Anderson as CFO and Don Gallian as SVP of malt sales and operations.
“We are excited about the future of Glazer’s beer business, and establishing a new, separate company will allow us to channel all of our efforts into the continued growth and performance of our beer portfolio,” Meacham said.
On Jan. 11, 2016, Glazer’s and Southern announced the agreement that will create the largest North American wine and spirits distribution company, serving supplier and customer partners from coast to coast.
Glazer’s existing malt beverage distribution business is not included in the transaction, which is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approvals.
Glazer’s malt beverage division already has begun undertaking an operational separation process to facilitate its transition into an independent company. Effective Jan. 1, 2016, it reorganized its leadership team: Matt Swilling is VP of malt operations; Ryan Hamby, director business strategy; Dennis Nauslar, VP of brand development malt sales and operations; Mark SoRelle, director of business intelligence and analytics; and Michelle Vickers, corporate director-HR. All report to Meacham.
Glazer’s has operations in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The third-generation family business was founded in Dallas in 1933.
