Blog

A New Central Distributors Website

A New Central Distributors Website

Written by Central on Thursday, March 28, 2013

You may notice that we've given our site a bit of a facelift. In addition to general sprucing-up, we've added responsive web design (RWD). This means that you can easily access our web content on just about any device. Browsers are faster than ever, and mobile phones and tablets are in the hands just about all of our customers. So we built a site that will load perfectly for your screen size, be it your smart phone screen, iPad screen or a nice big shiny 27” monitor.

Here at Central Distributors we're pretty serious about our technology. The face of distribution is changing. Logistics and supply chain management is all about technology. Supply chain responsiveness and improving forecast accuracy while also driving for a more flexible and agile delivery network is top of mind. We live in a connected 24/7/365 world.  End-users (our happy customers) want improved collaboration with upstream and downstream suppliers. Our new website is a little thing in the grand scheme of it all. That said, we think that this new mobile optimized site will do just that - help our customers communicate with Central Distributors better in a connected world. That's important!

A big thank you to Glen Halliday and the crew at Dirigo Design & Development, Inc. for the design and coding. These guys did a terrific job!


80th Anniversary / Mission Statement

Written by Central on Thursday, September 18, 2014

In 2009 we celebrated Central’s 75th year in business. Five short years later (in fact, this week) it is our 80th year! What better way to mark our anniversary than to communicate our updated company mission!

We have been crafting this language for almost a year, asking for input, and identifying our core values and long-term objectives. It is now signed and approved by our family principals and board of directors.  The version you see in this blog post highlights key words that were important for us to include in our mission.

Happy 80th Central!

Mike B.                     

 

MISSION STATEMENT

To continue the advancement of our successful family business as a leading and valued distributor to all of our partners.

CUSTOMERS

Foster long-term relationships and support retailer profit objectives through continuous improvement to service quality, product knowledge, and fulfillment accuracy.

EMPLOYEES

Provide a safe and healthy work environment, reward teamwork, and offer opportunities for professional and financial growth.

SUPPLIERS

Support, grow, and invest in world-class brands, ensuring they achieve their full potential in all markets throughout the state of Maine.

COMMUNITY

Be a responsible corporate citizen and support local programs and charities with contributions of time and resources.


Aroostook Beverage Co.

Written by Central on Friday, May 5, 2017

 

Dear Valued Partners,

We are pleased to announce that beginning May 1, 2017 Central Distributors is the new owner of Aroostook Beverage Co. in Presque Isle, Maine. Central is honored to carry on this business in Aroostook County and will continue to operate Aroostook Beverage as a separate business unit into the foreseeable future. With this addition, Central is able to strengthen its statewide services as the only distributor with a true local presence in Aroostook County. Central strives to continuously improve and grow our customer and supplier relationships, and this acquisition is in line with that commitment.

We are excited to welcome all Aroostook Beverage employees into the Central family – and we look forward to growing together and becoming stronger and more effective companies. We also stand committed to Aroostook Beverage suppliers that we will continue to operate according to and above their standards – and we look forward to partnering with each and every one of them. Finally, we wish the best to Peter and Bette Briggs - we are very grateful to them for this opportunity. It has been a pleasure to work with them to ensure that their legacy of hard work and dedication to the beverage industry will continue into the future.

We look forward to our future with Aroostook Beverage as a strong addition to our family owned business, and expect a smooth transition for all. For any questions, please contact Mike Barriault at Central (207-784-4026) or Bonnie Cowett (Office Manager) and Chuck Dudley (Sales Manager) at Aroostook Beverage Co. (207-769-2081).

Thank you,

Mike Barriault
President
Central Distributors, Inc.
Aroostook Beverage Co.


Central announces Lone Pine distribution agreement

Written by Central on Monday, October 23, 2017

Central is pleased to announce we have recently signed an agreement to begin distributing Portland-based Lone Pine Brewing Company beer sometime around the beginning of 2018.

Lone Pine announced last week their agreement to purchase Sebago Brewing Co.’s current 13,000-square-foot installed brewery in Gorham. The additional brewing equipment, packaging and warehouse space included in the sale will quadruple the size of the young brewery from 5-barrel to 20-barrel capacity.  Sebago will move its operations to a new brewing space in Gorham which is scheduled to open in mid-February.

Lone Pine, which started brewing at its Anderson Street location in March 2016, is already brewing its well-known Portland Pale Ale at the new location. Co-owners Tom Madden and John Paul will keep the tasting room location in Portland open and plan to enhance the draft list there, using the location as more experimental space.

“As a currently self-distributed brewery who services over 240 accounts, finding our Maine distribution partners was one of the most important decisions we've had to make,” said Paul. “We're extremely confident in both Nappi and Central's ability to represent and elevate our brand throughout the State. Their unwavering commitment to service and strong relationships in the industry will ensure this is a seamless transition as we scale.”

Nappi Distributors, of Gorham, will service the southern part of the state, including Cumberland and York Counties.  Central’s distribution territory will encompass areas north, including Topsham, Lewiston, Oxford, Augusta, Bangor and Presque Isle.

LInk to press release on Brewbound: https://www.brewbound.com/news/lone-pine-brewing-company-signs-distribution-agreement-nappi-central

About Lone Pine Brewing Company

Lone Pine Brewing Company is a Portland based brewery focusing on American ales and small batch specialty beers that feature unique, local ingredients. Founded in 2016, Lone Pine currently operates its production and tasting room facilities on Anderson Street in the East Bayside neighborhood of Portland. Lone Pine is one of the fastest growing breweries in Maine, having increased from 400 bbls per year in 2016 to a projected 6,500 bbls in 2018. Learn more at www.lonepinebrewery.com.