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Ribbon cutting starts Fabiano Bros. weekend of facility tours, Budweiser Clydesdales By Michael Wayland | The Bay City Times May 21, 2010 Amanda Loman | The Bay City Times James Fabiano Sr., right, president and chief executive officer stands with son James C. Fabiano II, a partner-owner of the firm. Along with Joseph R. Fabiano II, the three are celebrating the 125 year of Fabiano Brothers. MONITOR TWP — Dreary weather didn't stop more than 200 people from attending an exclusive ribbon cutting ceremony today at Fabiano Bros. Inc. The ceremony marked the family-owned company's 125th anniversary and the completion of its $16 million-plus beer distribution center and headquarters, 1885 Bevanda Court off Mackinaw Road near US-10, in Monitor Township. “It's just great to have everyone here,” said James Fabiano Sr., president and chief executive officer the company. “To bring all the family together ... It's just a fun day.” Fabiano's family and two Budweiser Clydesdale horses surrounded Fabiano as he cut a ceremonial ribbon, in-front of the main entrance to Fabiano Bros. “It's the start of a great weekend for us as a family, a company and a community,” said James C. Fabiano II, one of James Fabiano Sr.’s sons and a partner-owner of the company. Fabiano Bros. will host its retailers on Saturday and on from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, the public is invited to the company's facility to see 10 Budweiser Clydesdale horses; King, the Dalmatian from many Budweiser commercials; and tour parts of the facility. “They are going to see all kinds of neat things,” said James C. Fabiano II, about Sunday's festivities. James Fabiano Sr.’s grandfather, Gennaro Fabiano, started the company in Italy in 1885 by selling fruit, vegetables and homemade wine. Today, the company is the second largest Anheuser-Busch Co. distributor in Michigan, according to James C. Fabiano II. Local officials, including State Rep. Jeff Mayes, D-Bay City; Bay County Board of Commissioners Chairman Brian Elder; Bay City Commission President Christopher Shannon, 1st Ward; Bay City Mayor Charles Brunner; and Sen. Jim Barcia, D-Bay City, were present for the event. “The Fabiano family has had a major impact in Michigan,” Barcia said. “We're so privileged and happy that the Fabiano family would invest their company in the Great Lakes Bay Region.” To view a slideshow of Fabiano Bros. 125th anniversary celebrations, go to: http://photos.mlive.com/baycitytimes/2010/05/fabiano_brothers_125th_anniver_10.html To view the Clydesdales, go to: http://photos.mlive.com/baycitytimes/2010/05/budweiser_clydesdale_horseszip_4.html 

March 31, 2010 Powers Distributing Company For Immediate Release 3700 Giddings Road Orion, MI 48359 Contact: Lisa Powers (248) 393-3700 lpowers@powersdistributing.com Oakland County’s Powers Distributing Wins Top MillerCoors National Award Family owned company honored for strong sales, contributing to local economy ORION TWP. – Local beer distributor Powers Distributing Co. has won the MillerCoors President’s Award, the highest award MillerCoors gives out to a distributor and the second time in two years Powers has received a major MillerCoors award. This year’s President’s Award honors the top 5 percent of MillerCoors distributors nationwide. A third-generation family owned beer distributor, Powers Distributing sells more than 5 million cases of beer to retailers, restaurants, bars and other businesses in Oakland and Macomb counties every year and employs more than 200 people in the region. “Powers Distributing Co. is honored to win the MillerCoors President’s Award, which is a testament to the tremendous hard work of our employees and our strong partnership with our customers and local businesses in Oakland and Macomb counties,” said Powers President Jerry Powers. “The President’s Award inspires all of us at Powers Distributing Co. to continue providing first-rate service, distributing quality products, promoting responsible enjoyment of beer and giving back to our community. For 70 years, Powers has made that commitment to our community, and we look forward to continuing our promise to local consumers and businesses.” Powers himself was recognized in 2009 as a MillerCoors Legend. Last year, Powers received the Miller High Life Achievement Award, only one of 46 nationwide to be recognized with the award for Miller distributors that exceeded sales goals for the preceding year. Powers is also a leader in conservation and sustainability as the largest private company in the nation to have a cutting edge hybrid truck and tractor fleet powered by electricity and renewable bio-based fuels. “Powers Distributing is proud to help our local economy move forward, creating jobs and giving back to the communities that have been very good to us over the generations,” Powers said. “In these tough economic times, Powers is redoubling our efforts to ensure that we do everything in our power to support our community and help the economy, from providing good-paying jobs with benefits and training, to working together with all local businesses to succeed. We want to make sure Michigan stays strong well into the future, by creating jobs and protecting our natural resources for future generations to enjoy.” To learn more about Powers: www.powersdistributing.com

Family owned beer distributor pays for its employees to eat in downtown Detroit DETROIT – Great Lakes Beverage, a family owned Anheuser-Busch beer distributor, is pitching in with a program to help Detroit restaurants during the recession: It’s encouraging its employees to eat out in downtown Detroit – and it’s picking up the tab. Inaugurated last year, the “Dining in the D” program was such a hit with its employees the last time around that Great Lakes Beverage is bringing it back for 2010. “For our employees, ‘Dining in the D’ was a great opportunity to show our support for the local businesses that have been our friends and neighbors for more than seven decades,” GLB President and Owner Howard Wolpin said. “We know the economy will continue to be tough for many Detroit bars and restaurants. We known Detroit is one of the best restaurant towns in the nation and we want to keep supporting our hometown and the hardworking folks who make Detroit one of the best places to get a meal. One entree at a time, Great Lakes Beverage and our employees want to chip in to help the local economy and protect jobs.” All through the month of January, Wolpin is paying for an entrée every time one of his employees eats in any restaurant in Detroit under the “Dining in the D” program. “Restaurants are among the hardest hit in a tough economy, and that’s why it’s crucial for our company to continue supporting programs that can help local businesses,” Wolpin said. “Many restaurants are family businesses that provide a living for countless people, and we want to help them get 2010 off to a good start. Every little thing helps, and that’s why I invite all businesses in Detroit to pitch in and work together so we can, as a community, survive the recession.” Wolpin is the third generation of the family to own and operate the company, which is located on 1600 Modern Street, at Six Mile and Dequindre. Today, the company employs more than 90 people in good-paying jobs in the metro Detroit area and features a truck fleet of 42 vehicles. The company also has a significant impact on the local economy, generating around $5 million in economic activity each year. A frequent sponsor of community events, Great Lakes Beverage spends more than $130,000 in charitable and community giving, and sponsors the Downtown Hoedown, the Detroit Jazzfesst, the Ferndale Bluesfest and designated drivers programs for the Detroit Lions and Tigers, among others. Now in its 76th year, Great Lakes Beverage is committed to providing quality and service, and creating local jobs. In addition to a commitment to energy efficiency, the company is also an environmental leader and recycles nearly 1 million cans and 1.4 million glass bottles every year. 

January 3, 2010 Don't mess with beer tax Raising Michigan's highest-in-the-region beer tax is a terrible idea because it will further disadvantage local businesses, including distributors, bars and brewers. On top of our high beer tax, Michigan consumers must pay for our bottle deposit, squeezing them further and hurting sales for Michigan businesses, especially those near Indiana and Ohio. I've worked in border areas and seen stores close, jobs vanish and communities suffer. Michigan has mercifully held the beer tax at the current rate because responsible policymakers and opinion leaders recognize that raising it will devastate local economies even more. It is not, as Rich Robinson (Viewpoint, Dec. 17) unfairly and irresponsibly claims, because of distributors' open and transparent engagement in the political process. For Robinson to spin wild conspiracy theories or assign secret motives where none exist is unfair to Michigan's familyowned beer distributors and the 5,100 hardworking men and women we employ. Steve Anderson president, Anderson Distributing Jackson 

Local distributor’s campaign encourages responsibility ORION TOWNSHIP – Powers Distributing Co. has launched a TV blitz to remind adults to be safe this holiday season and designate a driver at all times. Powers has produced three television commercials urging people to designate a driver when going out to holiday events, and is airing those commercials on cable as a public service announcement throughout the holiday season. “These commercials are just a small way for us to remind folks that the simple act of designating a driver can help keep our roads a little safer for all motorists during the holiday,” Powers President Rob Powers said. “Since 1939, our family company has been dedicated to safety and responsibility. Through these ads, we hope we can raise public awareness about staying safe during the holidays. Designating a person as a driver for the evening is one critical step we should all take to avert tragedy and make sure everyone can enjoy the holidays safely.” The three segments all feature a common theme: This holiday season, please designate a person who will refrain from drinking alcohol so he or she can bring people home safely. In one ad, brothers Rob and Jerry Powers stand in a room decorated for Christmas: “There’s nothing like having friends and family over for the holidays – but you need to be a responsible host,” Rob Powers says in the ad. “If you’re serving alcoholic beverages, remember to have a plan to get everyone home safely,” Jerry Powers says. In another ad, Rob and Jerry Powers stand with dozens of their employees, telling viewers: “Don’t drink and drive!” In a third ad, a fictional character, John, gets praise for driving his friends home. The three ads were sponsored by Powers Distributing and Heineken and can be viewed at http://www.powers-dist.com/ or on YouTube at www.youtube.com. Established in 1939, Powers Distributing was one of the first Miller Brewing products distributors in Michigan. Today, Powers delivers more than 100 quality Michigan and international beverage products to 2,600-plus retailers and customers in Oakland and Macomb counties. Powers also employs more than 210 people in a range of good-paying skilled jobs, with benefits, making it one of Oakland County’s leading job providers. Powers spearheads many local programs geared toward fighting underage drinking and drunken driving, from sponsoring motivational speakers who address high school students, to launching multi-media campaigns and going into communities to promote responsible alcohol use. 2 Powers Distributing has been recognized as a national leader in sustainability and conservation. Earlier this year, Powers made history as the first national distributor to roll out an entire fleet of hybrid electric-biofuel delivery trucks and tractors, which will slash Powers’ diesel use. For its efforts, Powers won the 2009 Michigan Clean Transportation award for its investments in biofuelhybrids trucks and tractors, as part of its commitment to reducing the nation’s dependence on imported oil, supporting homegrown renewable fuels and creating U.S. jobs

December 15, 2009 – Lansing State Journal There's a good reason why Michigan's beer tax should not be raised. Increasing the beer tax in Michigan will hurt ordinary citizens. It will also hurt jobs in a wide range of industries, plus Michigan's beer tax is the highest in the region; it is 300 percent higher than in Wisconsin. I work at a local beverage distributor that serves the Lansing community. I know firsthand that higher beer taxes will kill sales, and that's going to hit restaurants, bars, momand-pop retailers - and even my job. It will also impact jobs in transportation, manufacturing, recycling and agriculture. Increasing Michigan's beer tax is a bad idea that will eliminate jobs. Nick Pavona Classic Beers Inc. Lansing 

BY BRAD FLORY | JACKSON CITIZEN PATRIOT Anderson Distributing began with three broken-down trucks and the exclusive right to sell Goebel beer to Jackson taverns and stores. Goebel has died and gone to beer heaven, but 51 years after its founding, Anderson Distributing is still growing. Today the company carries 2,200 products, serves 700 retailer customers, employs 45 workers, and has 30 vehicles and 50,000 square feet of warehouse space off Porter Street. "It's basically just like any other business," said President Stephen Anderson, who founded the company with his father, Barney, and brother, Jim. "Instead of selling cars or widgets, we sell beer and wine." Two years ago, Anderson Distributing branched out into a whole new business field as an importer of wines from France and Argentina. The Peerless Wine Selections division, headed by Richard Collett, doubled sales this year and is looking to break into new markets in three states. "You cannot wait for business to come to you," Collett said. "You have to go out and get it." Anderson Distributing covers all or part of six counties as exclusive wholesaler of its products. It delivers upward of 3,500 cases of beer and wine every day and is a broker of distilled spirits. From modest beginnings, the company grew by acquiring rights to more brands and by purchasing three other beer distributors. Even with a recession, Anderson Distributing recorded single-digit sales growth in the past year, Anderson said. Citizen Patriot • J. Scott Park Workers load beer as they work their way around the warehouse at Anderson Distributing, preparing orders to be delivered the following day. The distributor has been in business for 51 years and employs 45 people. 2 "People are not drinking less," he said, "but they are maybe trying lower-priced brands." Peerless Wines Selections began nine years ago as little more than a hobby for Collett and some friends in the Jackson Wine Club. "We intended to import wine for people in our wine club," said Collett, who retired from Northwest Schools after 25 years as a science teacher. "We knew there were some really good wines (in Europe), and the prices were good. And we knew we weren't seeing them here." Peerless quickly grew to cover Jackson County and other areas of southern Michigan. It worked with wholesalers, including Anderson. "Two years ago, it came to the point where we either had to expand and put a lot money into the business, or blend in with another company," Collett said. The "blending in" came when Anderson Distributing bought Peerless. Other founders left Peerless then, but Collett stayed on to run import operations. Peerless wines, aided by the backing and connections of Anderson Distributing, quickly spread to new areas of the state and sales soared, Collett said. In 2010, Peerless intends to expand into Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. Collett's work requires traveling to Europe and South America to sample wines. "Some people call it a dream job," he said. "The hardest part is finding quality producers at reasonable prices." The dream job also includes headaches with government rules and security measures. Once a new product is discovered, it takes about a year to bring it to store shelves, he said. Anderson and Collett both see high growth potential for the importing business. "Michigan is just the tip of the iceberg as far as where things can go," Collett said. Anderson Distributing Co. Years in business: 51 Employees: 45 What the company does: Wholesale distributor of beer and wine and a broker of distilled spirits Why it made this list: The company has expanded operations to become a wine importer with plans to expand

BY NATHAN SKID Lake Orion-based craft beer distributor Powers Distributing Co. has been recognized by the National Beer Wholesalers Association and the Brewers Association as a 2009 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award finalist. The award is given to the beer distributor that does the most to market, promote and sell craft beer. Awards were announced at the Great American Beer Festival Sept. 24-26 in Denver, Co. “Powers Distributing is truly honored to be a finalist for making sure we provide the widest choice of beers to adult consumers, support craft beers and partner with local businesses and provide quality service to everyone,” Rob Powers, president of Powers Distributing, said in a press release. The craft beer distributor was commended for its innovative Web site which not only teaches consumers about the many craft beers it carries but also which licensed retailers carry them. “Powers Distributing has shown dedication to delivering unique and innovative craft beers to consumers by stocking store shelves with these brands,” Charlie Papazian, president of the Brewers Association said in a press release.

December 10, 2009 – Lansing State Journal Some folks continue to believe raising Michigan's beer tax will solve our budget problems. It won't. Higher beer taxes bring sales down. Beer already is subject to federal and state excise tax, plus Michigan sales tax. Lower sales mean fewer jobs in the beer sector, which employs 60,000 statewide in breweries, distributorships, retail, agriculture and transportation. When sales drop, so do tax revenues. Thus Michigan will be back at square one; shrinking revenue, while more jobs get eliminated. Michigan needs real solutions. Raising the beer tax isn't one of them. Doug Barr M&M Distributors, Inc. Lansing 

Paw Paw - Paw Paw Wine Distributors (PPWD), a family-owned distributor of wine, beer, and other beverages, has expanded to larger facilities in Kalamazoo to accommodate continued growth and strengthen service to its customers across Southwest Michigan. PPWD is investing more than $2 million dollars for the expansion, including the renovation of an 85,000-square-foot facility in Kalamazoo. Investment is also going toward increased energy efficiency through the use of high efficiency lighting, new forklifts, and continued recycling efforts. A significant reduction in fuel consumption by delivery trucks is also expected. "For three generations, the Southwest Michigan community has supported Paw Paw Wine Distributors and we are proud to continue investing in the region and local community, creating jobs, and becoming more energy efficient," said Dave Bogen, PPWD president, in a written press release. "We anticipate a 15,000 gallon reduction in annual fuel consumption by our fleet operation. We will also continue our ongoing recycling program that recovers over 100 tons per year of glass, metal, plastics, and paper. We've installed high efficiency lighting fixtures and are replacing our forklifts with more efficient electric models. We expect to require less energy for heating at our new facility also, despite being larger than our previous location." Founded in 1945 by Ottorino Schincariol, the business began as a two-person sales and delivery company of St. Julian and other locally produced wines, based out of an 800-square-foot building in Paw Paw. Ottorino retired in the late 1960s and growth continued in Paw Paw under the presidency of his son, Ron Schincariol, who retired in 2007. Today, PPWD employs over 60 people and distributes over 3,000 premium domestic and imported beverages; including many locally produced products like St. Julian wines and Bell's beers. The company recently filled five new positions in conjunction with its growth. "We are proud of our company history and community involvement in Paw Paw, and will continue our commitment to community support," said Ron Schincariol. Bogen echoed similar comments saying, "We look forward to continuing our company growth, enhancing service to our customers, and being responsible corporate citizens of Southwest Michigan."