The fifth generation of the Wanty family is taking the reins at O&W Inc., a Ypsilanti, Michigan-based independent beer wholesaler.
O&W announced that brothers Jim and Doug Wanty are retiring and their children are taking over leadership of the business.
As part of the transition:
- Kit Wanty-Lambert will succeed Doug Wanty as president;
- Jamie Wanty will serve as vice president of marketing;
- Isabel Wanty will become vice president of human resources and operations;
- And Cooper Wanty will become vice president of finance.
“O&W has been a family-owned distributor for four generations, and I am thrilled that will continue under the new ownership as the fifth generation,” Jim Wanty said in a press release. “Kit, Jamie, Isabel and Cooper have been raised in the warehouse and have the knowledge and knowhow to move this company forward well into the future.”
Jim Wanty joined the company in 1972, while his brother Doug joined in 1983. The brothers took over the family business in 1990 and have grown it by making six acquisitions, adding territory and building a portfolio of local, regional and national brands that includes offerings from Molson Coors, Boston Beer Company, Mark Anthony Bands, Constellation Brands, Heineken USA, FIFCO USA, New Belgium and Sierra Nevada, among others.
In the release, Kit Wanty-Lambert said she is “excited and proud” to take the helm of O&W, which employs more than 170.
“The landscape of the beer industry has changed over the last several years and that includes recruiting and promoting women to take more prominent roles in beer distribution and throughout our organizations — and I’m proud O&W Inc. is part of that movement,” she said.
“We have been blessed with a rare business dynamic and exciting product set as beer distributors,” Jamie Wanty added. “Our industry has few lulls, consistently evolves, and on top of that is highly regulated. It’s a huge privilege and responsibility to be a part of such a legacy in our local communities and the beer community. It’s truly an exciting day for our family and the entire team at O&W Inc.”
Isabel Wanty noted that the transition has been in the works for more than two years.
“I have learned so much from my sibling, cousins, father and uncle and can’t wait to put it to use and help our team face whatever challenges lie ahead in 2022 and beyond,” she added.
Last year, O&W moved more than 5.2 million cases of beer across its seven county territory in southeast Michigan, servicing 2,400 licensed retailers.