Beverage distributor Southern Glazer’s has reached an agreement to acquire the distribution operations of brewing giant Anheuser-Busch in New York City, company officials announced Wednesday.
Southern Glazer’s, in turn, will establish a new business unit in the city. Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company of New York will cover Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx, and will be led by Devyn Dugger, who joins the company from fellow Anheuser-Busch independent distributor Ohio Eagle Distributing.
“Since the establishment of the three-tier system and creation of the Anheuser-Busch independent wholesaler network, we’ve placed a priority on partnering with family owned and operated businesses,” Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth said in a statement. “That’s exactly what Southern Glazer’s and the Chaplin family represent, and we’re excited that they are joining our world-class network of independent beer wholesaler partners.”
The transaction is expected to close later this year and will include all Anheuser-Busch brands in the New York City market. Southern Glazer’s will continue to utilize Anheuser-Busch’s facility in the Bronx and retain its entire workforce.
Additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Our deep expertise, capabilities and knowledge of the New York City market will enable us to build on the strong momentum that the Anheuser-Busch distribution team has created and further position our companies for collective growth,” said Mark Chaplin, president of commercial sales at Southern Glazer’s.
