Breakthru Beverage Group has reached a deal to acquire J.J. Taylor Companies’ beer business in Minnesota, the companies announced today.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. However, Breakthru expects the deal to close in the spring, pending customary closing conditions.
Once closed, Breakthru will consolidate its beer portfolio into J.J. Taylor’s 600,000 sq. ft. warehouse in the state. The deal will give the company a portfolio of more than 65 domestic, imported, local and national craft beer brands.
In Minnesota, J.J. Taylor’s beer portfolio includes offerings from Molson Coors, Heineken, Pabst, CANarchy, Deschutes, New Belgium, Shiner, Summit, Castle Danger, and August Schell, among others. Several of those brands overlap with offerings in Breakthru’s portfolio, which partners with Molson Coors, Heineken USA, and Diageo.
Tom Bené, who was appointed president and CEO of the Breakthru Beverage Group in August 2021, said there is “great synergy between” the two companies in Minnesota, according to a press release.
“This combination will dramatically enhance operations in the Twin Cities and reinforces our commitment to this market as we deploy our full suite of best-in-class capabilities and digital resources to help supplier and customer partners better reach their target consumers and drive results,” he added. “This is another strong step in our overall growth agenda, where we remain focused on strengthening our position throughout the United States and Canada.”
“We are pleased with the sale of our Minnesota business to Breakthru and are confident the newly combined team will continue our legacy of ‘First Choice’ service in the Twin Cities,” John Taylor, president and CEO of J.J. Taylor Companies Chairman, said in a press release.
Breakthru said it will rely on J.J. Taylor’s team in Minnesota, including Chris Morton and Bob Thies, who will take leadership roles with the company once the deal is completed. Breakthru also plans to expand its salesforce in the state.
In the interim, Breakthru and J.J. Taylor will operate “business as usual,” the company said.
Meanwhile, Jupiter, Florida-headquartered J.J. Taylor has maintained its beer business in the Sunshine State.
Breakthru operates wholesalers in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.