USA: Columbia Mid-State Distributing Center and Mid-South Distributing of Tullahoma have announced the merger of their wholesale beer distributorships.
They will operate under the name of Mid-South Distributing. Prior to the merger, Columbia Mid-State Distributing Company provided Coors, Heineken, Corona and many other brands of beer to middle Tennessee retailers. Mid-South Distributing provided retailers with Miller products plus brands such as Guinness's, Labatt, Seagram's, E & J Gallo and Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails.

By combining resources, Mid-South Distributing will now operate as the exclusive distributor of Miller and Coors in a 15-county area. The company's product list will include a total roster of approximately 80 beer brands and 25 non-alcoholic beverages. Some of the cities and towns included in the area are Columbia, Fayetteville, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg, Manchester, Monteagle, Pulaski, Shelbyville, Tullahoma and Winchester. "We are very excited about this merger with Columbia Mid-State Distributing Company," said Rick Gerwe, president of Mid-South Distributing. "Together, we will build an even brighter future."

Vice president of Mid-South Distributing, James H. "Chipper" Jones, said. "This merger makes it possible for one distributorship to provide middle Tennessee retailers with several major brands. Everyone will benefit."

Columbia Mid-State Distributing Company began business in 1955 with one warehouse in Columbia. Mid-South Distributing began business in 1978 with a single warehouse in Shelbyville. The warehouses that the two companies previously owned will continue to operate in Columbia, Tullahoma and Pulaski.

06 September, 2004