NASHVILLE, Tenn. – DBI Beverage Napa and DBI Beverage San Jose announced today that they have acquired the Napa and San Jose, CA, operations, respectively, of Sherratt Reicher’s Hudson Beverage Company. Terms of the asset purchases were not disclosed.

DBI Beverage Napa and DBI Beverage San Jose are owned by DBI Beverage Inc.

The Hudson Beverage operations are the fourth and fifth beverage distributors that DBI Beverage Inc. has acquired since 2002. Four of the five acquisitions have been in Northern California.

“Sherratt Reicher and the Hudson Beverage team have built a great business and a strong customer base,” said David B. Ingram, chairman of DBI Beverage Inc. “Our goal is to continue that success and commitment to customer service.”

Combined, Hudson Beverage has 205 employees and $90 million in revenues.

DBI Beverage Napa will take over Hudson Beverage’s Napa operation, which was started by Sherratt’s father, Bob Miller, 40 years ago and then later purchased by Bob’s brother Clark Miller. It has 85 employees and annual revenues of approximately $35 million. It distributes products from Miller Brewing, Coors Brewing, Diageo-Guinness, Heineken USA, New Belgium Brewing, and other beverage suppliers.

DBI Beverage San Jose will assume Hudson Beverage’s San Jose operation, which started in 2002. That operation has 120 employees and annual revenues of approximately $55 million. It distributes products from Miller Brewing, Coors Brewing, Heineken USA (FEMSA), New Belgium Brewing, and other beverage suppliers.

DBI Beverage Inc. focuses on acquiring successful distributors in growing markets. With these acquisitions, the company will have annual revenues of $250 million and distribute 15 million cases of beverage products a year.

DBI Beverage Inc. also owns beverage distributors in Sacramento, San Francisco, and Memphis, TN. A sister company, Ingram Entertainment Inc., is the nation’s largest DVD and video game wholesale distributor. DBI Beverage Inc. and Ingram Entertainment Inc. are both wholly owned by David B. Ingram and are headquartered in La Vergne, TN, just outside of Nashville.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 5, 2008 – DBI Beverage Sacramento and DBI Beverage San Joaquin announced today that they have acquired the assets of Capital Beverage Co. and San Joaquin Beverage Co., respectively. Terms of the asset purchases were not disclosed.

DBI Beverage Sacramento and DBI Beverage San Joaquin are owned by DBI Beverage Inc. Capital Beverage and San Joaquin Beverage are the sixth and seventh beverage distributors that DBI Beverage Inc. has acquired since 2002.

“Capital Beverage and San Joaquin Beverage are great companies with exceptional reputations,” said David B. Ingram, chairman of DBI Beverage Inc. “We are excited to welcome them to the DBI Beverage family of distributors. We are equally excited about our continued rapid growth in the Northern California market.”

Earlier this year, DBI acquired the Napa and San Jose operations of Sherrat Reicher’s Hudson Beverage Company. Six of DBI Beverage’s seven acquisitions have been in Northern California.

DBI Beverage Sacramento, which formed in 2007 when DBI Beverage Inc. acquired Mesa Beverage, will absorb Capital Beverage’s Sacramento operations. The combined operations will have 324 full-time associates and distribute approximately 10 million cases of beverages. Annual revenues will be approximately $145 million.

DBI will maintain branches in Chico, Calif., and Truckee, Calif., that were part of Capital Beverage.

DBI Beverage Sacramento distributes products from MillerCoors, Heineken USA, FEMSA, Diageo-Guinness, New Belgium Brewing and other beverage suppliers.

DBI Beverage San Joaquin will assume all San Joaquin Beverage Co. operations. That operation has 110 employees and annual revenues of approximately $48 million. It distributes products from MillerCoors, Crown Imports, Heineken USA, FEMSA and other beverage suppliers.

DBI Beverage Inc. focuses on acquiring successful distributors in growing markets. With these acquisitions, the company will have annual revenues of more than $350 million and distribute 25 million cases of beverage products a year.

DBI Beverage Inc. also owns beverage distributors in Napa, San Francisco, San Jose and Memphis, Tenn. A sister company, Ingram Entertainment Inc., is the nation’s largest DVD and video game wholesale distributor. DBI Beverage Inc. and Ingram Entertainment Inc. are both wholly owned by David B. Ingram and are headquartered in La Vergne, Tenn., just outside of Nashville.

DBI Beverage Inc. facts

• Distributors: six (California: Sacramento, Napa, San Francisco, San Joaquin and San Jose; Tennessee: Memphis)
• Associates: 950
• Cases: 25 million
• Revenue: $350 million
• Founded: 2002

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LA VERGNE, TN –David B. Ingram, owner of Ingram Entertainment Holdings Inc. and DBI Beverage Inc. announced today his $100,000 gift to the Red Cross International Relief Fund to help the earthquake victims of Haiti. This gift is being made from the David Ingram Advised Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Ingram Entertainment Inc. is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, Blu-ray, video game hardware and software, audiobooks, and accessories. The company operates from 15 sales and distribution facilities located through the United States. DBI Beverage Inc. is one of the leading beverage distributors in the country. The company operates distributorships in eight California markets: Chico, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton, San Jose, Truckee, and Ukiah. These distributorships supply thousands of retail accounts with a wide variety of domestic, craft and import beers, specialty waters, energy drinks and soft drinks.

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LA VERGNE, Tenn., July 31, 2010 – DBI Beverage San Francisco announced today that it has acquired certain beer distributorship assets of Maita Distributors, Inc. of San Mateo County. Terms of the asset purchase were not disclosed.

DBI Beverage San Francisco is owned by DBI Beverage Inc. Maita Distributors is the ninth distributor asset acquisition that DBI Beverage Inc. has completed since 2002, the last eight of which have been in northern California.

DBI Beverage San Francisco was formed after DBI’s second acquisition – of substantially all the assets of Golden Brand Bottling Co., Inc., in 2005. The former Maita beverage distribution operations will be combined with the DBI operations in DBI’s South San Francisco distribution facility. That facility now has 205 full-time associates and will distribute approximately 6 million cases of beverages per year, including sales in San Mateo County.

“We are excited about the opportunity presented by entering the San Mateo market and building on the business started by the Maita family some 30 years ago,” said David Ingram, DBI’s Chairman.

DBI Beverage Inc. continues to focus on acquiring successful distributors in growing markets. With this acquisition, the company will on a consolidated basis distribute an estimated 25.2 million cases of beverage products a year.

DBI Beverage Inc. also owns beer distributors in Napa, Sacramento, San Jose, Ukiah, Chico, Truckee, and San Joaquin. Its Tennessee subsidiary recently divested distribution assets located in Memphis, Tennessee. A sister company, Ingram Entertainment Inc., is the nation’s largest DVD and video game wholesale distributor. DBI Beverage Inc. and Ingram Entertainment Inc. are both wholly-owned by David B. Ingram and are headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville.

DBI Beverage Inc. Consolidated Facts

• Distributors: Eight (California: Chico, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Jose, Truckee, and Ukiah)
• -Associates: 960 (estimated)
• -Cases: 25.2 million (estimated)
• -Founded: 2002

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LA VERGNE, Tenn., July 9, 2012 – Robert W. Webb has been promoted to president and chief executive officer at Ingram Entertainment, and Robert A. Geistman has been promoted to executive vice president of sales and marketing.

David B. Ingram remains as chairman of Ingram Entertainment. W. Donnie Daniel, who previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for the company, has been elected vice chairman.

Ingram Entertainment Inc., with 2011 revenues over $549 million, is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, Blu-ray, video game hardware and software, audiobooks and accessories. Among the company’s 10,000 accounts are big retail chains like Kroger, Safeway and Toys R Us.

“Webb and Geistman have demonstrated strong leadership in our company and within our industry. Both promotions are part of our long-term succession plan to retain and cultivate top talent,” said Ingram. “Although I will continue to be involved with Ingram Entertainment, I will depend on these two leaders to manage the company.”

Webb most recently held the position of executive vice president, purchasing and operations. He joined Ingram in 1987 as product manager. In 1988, he was promoted to director of purchasing and a year later to vice president of purchasing. When Ingram acquired Commtron Corp. in 1992, Webb assumed the position of vice president of field operations, where he was responsible for the management of branch sales and operations. In 1994, Webb became senior vice president of purchasing and operations.

A board member of the National Association of Video Distributors, Webb currently serves as president of that organization. Webb also serves as a director of DBI Beverage Inc., an Ingram Entertainment sister company. He graduated from the State University of New York with a degree in psychology and received his MBA from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

Geistman joined Ingram Entertainment Inc. as part of Ingram’s acquisition of Commtron in 1992. At Ingram Entertainment he has held positions of increasing responsibility in the sales and marketing areas, and since January 2006 has served as its senior vice president, sales and marketing.

In 2001 Geistman joined the board of the Video Software Dealers Association (now the Entertainment Merchants Association). He was elected its chairman in 2004 and remains in that position today. Geistman holds a B.A. from the State University of New York.

History of Ingram Entertainment

Ingram Entertainment is headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, outside of Nashville. It is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVD and Blu-ray software, video games and audiobooks. Video specialty stores, electronics and video game stores, Internet retailers, drugstores and supermarkets comprise the bulk of its customer base. The grocery and drug division alone services over 35,000 storefronts.

Ingram Entertainment operates out of six sales and seven new release shipping facilities throughout the United States, four of which serve as national distribution centers. For over 99% of the continental United States, Ingram Entertainment products reach customers within two shipping days. The company also provides support services, including direct-to-consumer fulfillment for Internet retailers and category management services for retail partners.

Originally known as Ingram Video Inc., Ingram Entertainment was established in 1984 as part of Nashville’s Ingram Industries Inc. In 1996, Ingram Entertainment Inc. and Ingram Industries Inc. separated as part of a corporate reorganization, with David Ingram becoming Ingram Entertainment Inc.’s controlling shareholder.

More information may be found at www.ingramentertainment.com.

CONTACT: Sue Atkinson
satkinson@atkinsonpr.com

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 LA VERGNE, TN – David B. Ingram, owner of Ingram Entertainment Holdings Inc. and DBI Beverage Inc. announced today his $100,000 gift to the American Red Cross Philippines Relief Fund to help the victims of the Philippines typhoon disaster.  This gift is being made from the David Ingram Advised Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. 

Ingram Entertainment Inc. is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, Blu-ray, video game hardware and software, audiobooks, and accessories.  The company operates from 11 sales and distribution facilities located throughout the United States.  DBI Beverage Inc. is one of the leading beverage distributors in the country.  The company operates distributorships in eight California markets:  Chico, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton, San Jose, Truckee, and Ukiah.  These distributorships supply thousands of retail accounts with a wide variety of domestic, craft and import beers, specialty waters, energy drinks and soft drinks.

Contact:  Pam Garrison at (615) 287-4042

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 2, 2014 – Ingram Entertainment Inc. (www.ingramentertainment.com), the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, announced today that a subsidiary has purchased substantially all the assets of V.P.D. IV, Inc., a national home entertainment products distributor based in Folsom, California.  The transaction is effective June 30, 2014.

David Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Entertainment, said structural changes in the DVD home entertainment marketplace led to a deal with VPD.

“Acquiring the assets of VPD will enhance our financial performance by enabling us to process more units through a combined fewer locations.  Those efficiencies will better position us to work with our suppliers to provide our retailers with the products they need for their businesses.  We believe physical home entertainment media has a solid future, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead.  I am excited for our suppliers, customers, and associates,” said Ingram.

Bob Webb, Ingram Entertainment’s President & CEO, noted that “VPD has been a significant contributor to the home entertainment products distribution business for many years.  We at Ingram Entertainment look forward in particular to increasing our sales of products to “rentailer” customers, as this segment represents a significant portion of VPD’s business that will be transferred to Ingram Entertainment.”  Webb also expressed appreciation to all the personnel at both Ingram Entertainment and VPD who assisted in the purchase and will be assisting in the transition.

Both Webb and Ingram stressed that Ingram will be working to make the switch for customers from VPD to Ingram as seamless as possible.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Tim Shannahan, VPD’s Chairman/CEO and principal shareholder, remarked that “Departing from the wholesale distribution business is bittersweet for me, to say the least.  I will be eternally grateful to all the dedicated VPD personnel, both past and present, without whose contribution of time, talent, energy, and loyalty, we would have never enjoyed the success we experienced for so many terrific years!  I have a great deal of respect for Ingram Entertainment and its people and am confident VPD’s many customers will be in good hands.  My thanks to everyone who has helped along the way.”

Ingram Entertainment is headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, outside of Nashville.  It is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVD and Blu-ray software, video games and audiobooks.  Video specialty stores, electronics and video game stores, Internet retailers, drugstores and supermarkets comprise the bulk of its customer base.  Ingram Entertainment operates out of five sales and six shipping facilities throughout the United States, four of which serve as national distribution centers.  For over 99% of the continental United States, Ingram Entertainment products reach customers within two shipping days.  The company also provides support services, including direct-to-consumer fulfillment for Internet retailers and category management services for retail partners.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  Pam Garrison, pam.garrison@ingramentertainment.com, 615-287-4042

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Ceres, California, June 20, 2015 – In a joint news release, beverage wholesalers DBI Beverage Inc. (DBI) and Valley Wide Beverage Company (Valley Wide) are pleased to announce their separate acquisitions of product distribution rights and related assets of Cencal Beverage Co., LLC (Cencal), located in Ceres, California. Together, the assets acquired represent substantially all of Cencal’s beverage distribution rights and related assets. Other terms of the asset purchases, which closed yesterday, were not disclosed.

DBI’s purchase is expected to add 2.2 million product cases to DBI’s existing annual beverage sales, while Valley Wide anticipates its transaction will increase its annual volume by 600,000 cases. Both DBI and Valley Wide plan to continue to provide all former Cencal customers in these newly acquired territories with the pre-acquisition Cencal portfolio of brands and products. DBI will service customers in its new territory out of the location in Ceres used by Cencal immediately prior to these purchases, while Valley Wide will service customers in its newly acquired territory from Valley Wide’s current distribution facility in Fresno, California.

“Cencal Beverage Co. has been a successful distributorship in a growing market with exceptional associates and products,” said David Ingram, DBI’s Chairman, and Lou Amendola, Valley Wide President, in a joint statement. “We welcome them to our respective corporate families and look forward to the continued growth these acquisitions will bring to each separate company.”

DBI and affiliates also have California beer distribution operations in Stockton, Chico, Napa, Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco, Truckee and Ukiah. With this acquisition, that group of DBI companies will, on a consolidated basis, distribute an estimated 29 million cases of beverage products annually and employ approximately 1,100 associates. Valley Wide will now distribute an estimated 8 million cases of beverage product annually out of Fresno with a team of approximately 275 associates.

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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, November 4, 2015 –Beverage wholesalers, DBI Beverage San Jose (DBI) and M.E. Fox & Company, Inc., (M. E. Fox), announced today that DBI has purchased select beverage distribution rights and related assets of M.E. Fox.  Twenty-six suppliers, totaling 1.7 million product cases, were added to DBI’s portfolio including Constellation, Sierra Nevada, Heineken USA, Boston Beer and Diageo-Guinness.  Following the transaction, DBI’s San Jose’s operations will distribute approximately 6 million cases of beverages annually.

The Fox Family’s legacy in the U.S. beer industry dates back to the founding of the Fox Deluxe Brewing Company out of Chicago in 1933.  Michael E. Fox Sr.’s father, J. Raymond Fox, worked for several breweries after leaving Fox Deluxe ultimately retiring as Vice President, GM of the Hamm’s Breweries in San Francisco and Los Angeles.  Michael E. Fox Sr. and his wife, Mary Ellen, founded H&B Beer Sales (Hamm’s & Budweiser) in 1965, eventually changing the name of the company to M.E. Fox & Company, Inc. reflecting their shared initials.  Chairwoman Mary Ellen Fox’s father, James Croke, was General Counsel of the Schlitz Brewery in Milwaukee and was the chief negotiator for all the Milwaukee breweries during the Great Brewery Strike of 1954.  Michael and Mary Ellen’s six children have all either currently or previously worked in the family business.

Terence Fox, President of M.E. Fox, has been named Vice President and General Manager of DBI Beverage San Jose and will oversee the combined operations.  Dennis Fox and Catherine Fox have also accepted senior positions with DBI.  DBI will temporarily operate out of two warehouses, including the current M.E. Fox warehouse, until a new 160,000 sq. ft. facility is completed in the fall of 2016.

“Dennis, Catherine and I,” stated Terence, “are excited to join the growing DBI Beverage team. Though the decision to sell our distribution rights was very emotional, it is wonderful to know that our family’s tradition in the beer business continues.” David Ingram, DBI’s Chairman replied, “M.E. Fox & Company has been a successful distributorship in a growing market with exceptional associates and products. We welcome them to our organization and look forward to the growth this acquisition brings.”

DBI Beverage San Jose is a subsidiary of DBI Beverage Inc. which also operates beverage distributorships in Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton, Modesto, Napa, Ukiah, Chico and Truckee. With this acquisition, DBI Beverage Inc. will distribute an estimated 31 million cases of beverage products annually and employ approximately 1,175 associates.

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La Vergne, Tennessee, December 9, 2015  — DBI Beverage Inc., corporate parent of a consolidated group comprising one of the largest beverage distributors in California and one of the largest of its kind in the country, has named Mark D. Ramer as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2016.  Ramer is presently the company’s Chief Operating Officer.  He will succeed Jeffrey D. Skinner, who plans to retire on January 31.  David B. Ingram continues as Chairman.

 Ramer has been with the DBI companies since their inception in 2002, serving first as Chief Information Officer (CIO), then Senior Vice President of Operations, before his promotion to Chief Operating Officer in October of this year.  In those roles Ramer has been instrumental in the growth of DBI, the deployment of new technologies, the oversight of many expansion projects, and the improvement in overall business operations.  In addition to his DBI duties, from 1993 to 2008 Ramer also held the CIO position at DBI’s sister company, Ingram Entertainment Inc.  Prior to that Ramer acquired relevant experience in a variety of companies and capacities that included eight years in wholesale distribution consulting with Arthur Andersen (now Accenture).  Ramer holds a B.S. in Construction Management from Purdue University and a master’s degree from Purdue’s Kannert School of Management.

“Mark has been key to the rapid and profitable growth of the DBI Beverage group over its entire history, deeply involved in all of our strategic initiatives.  Although we will miss Jeff Skinner, we are confident that our momentum will continue under Mark’s proven leadership,” said David Ingram.

DBI Beverage Inc. and Ingram Entertainment Inc. are both owned by David Ingram and headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, outside of Nashville.  Ingram founded DBI Beverage in 2002.  Since then, its subsidiaries have acquired distributorships in nine California markets:  Chico, Modesto, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Jose, Truckee, and Ukiah.  The DBI Beverage group anticipates on an annualized basis approximately $615 million in total revenues and distribution of approximately 30 million cases of beverage product.  More information, including supplier and brand information, is available at www.dbibeverage.com.

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La Vergne, Tennessee, June 14, 2016 — DBI Beverage Inc., parent of a corporate group that on a consolidated basis comprises one of the largest beverage distributors in California and one of the nation’s largest distributors of its kind, has named Paul M. Schmitt as Chief Operating Officer, effective July 18, 2016. Schmitt will come to DBI Beverage from Coors Distributing Company (CDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MillerCoors LLC located in Denver, Colorado. He will relocate to California and be based in DBI Beverage’s West Sacramento, California facility, reporting to Mark D. Ramer, DBI Beverage’s Chief Executive Officer.

At CDC, which generates $300 million annually in revenue, employs 361 people, and services approximately 4,600 retail customers in the Denver metro area, Schmitt currently serves as Senior Director of Sales and Marketing. In that role, Schmitt leads senior management teams in the areas of off-premise channel sales, on-premise channel sales, specialty markets and concessions sales, marketing, and business development. He also serves on the MillerCoors Central Region Distributor Business Council and the Central Region 3.2 Council. In those capacities Schmitt developed and led the first-ever Talent Exchange Program with MillerCoors and CDC and has been involved in providing insight on various projects for MillerCoors.

Schmitt joined CDC in 2012 after serving as General Manager of the MillerCoors Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming Management Unit based in Denver, a position to which he was appointed in July 2008 as part of the MillerCoors joint venture integration process. During the eight years prior to that, Schmitt held various positions of increasing responsibility at Coors Brewing Company as General Manager for North and South Carolina, District Business Manager for New York and Vermont, Retail Account Executive covering 19 chains in the Metro New York and northeastern U.S. market areas, and Field Sales Manager covering the Metro New York market, working closely with the Manhattan Beer Team. Schmitt started his beverage career with Pepsi in 1984.

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DBI Beverage Inc. and Ingram Entertainment Inc. are both owned by David Ingram and headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, outside of Nashville. Ingram founded DBI Beverage in 2002. Since then, its subsidiaries have acquired distributorships in nine California markets: Chico, Modesto, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Jose, Truckee, and Ukiah. For 2016, the DBI Beverage group anticipates approximately $615 million in total revenues from distribution of approximately 30 million cases of beverage product. More information, including supplier and brand information, is available at www.dbibeverage.com.

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LA VERGNE, TN –David B. Ingram, owner of Ingram Entertainment Holdings Inc. and DBI Beverage Inc. announced today his $100,000 gift to the Red Cross International Relief Fund to help the earthquake victims of Haiti. This gift is being made from the David Ingram Advised Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Ingram Entertainment Inc. is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, Blu-ray, video game hardware and software, audiobooks, and accessories. The company operates from 15 sales and distribution facilities located through the United States. DBI Beverage Inc. is one of the leading beverage distributors in the country. The company operates distributorships in eight California markets: Chico, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton, San Jose, Truckee, and Ukiah. These distributorships supply thousands of retail accounts with a wide variety of domestic, craft and import beers, specialty waters, energy drinks and soft drinks.

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LA VERGNE, Tenn., July 31, 2010 – DBI Beverage San Francisco announced today that it has acquired certain beer distributorship assets of Maita Distributors, Inc. of San Mateo County. Terms of the asset purchase were not disclosed.

DBI Beverage San Francisco is owned by DBI Beverage Inc. Maita Distributors is the ninth distributor asset acquisition that DBI Beverage Inc. has completed since 2002, the last eight of which have been in northern California.

DBI Beverage San Francisco was formed after DBI’s second acquisition – of substantially all the assets of Golden Brand Bottling Co., Inc., in 2005. The former Maita beverage distribution operations will be combined with the DBI operations in DBI’s South San Francisco distribution facility. That facility now has 205 full-time associates and will distribute approximately 6 million cases of beverages per year, including sales in San Mateo County.

“We are excited about the opportunity presented by entering the San Mateo market and building on the business started by the Maita family some 30 years ago,” said David Ingram, DBI’s Chairman.

DBI Beverage Inc. continues to focus on acquiring successful distributors in growing markets. With this acquisition, the company will on a consolidated basis distribute an estimated 25.2 million cases of beverage products a year.

DBI Beverage Inc. also owns beer distributors in Napa, Sacramento, San Jose, Ukiah, Chico, Truckee, and San Joaquin. Its Tennessee subsidiary recently divested distribution assets located in Memphis, Tennessee. A sister company, Ingram Entertainment Inc., is the nation’s largest DVD and video game wholesale distributor. DBI Beverage Inc. and Ingram Entertainment Inc. are both wholly-owned by David B. Ingram and are headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville.

DBI Beverage Inc. Consolidated Facts

• Distributors: Eight (California: Chico, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Jose, Truckee, and Ukiah)
• -Associates: 960 (estimated)
• -Cases: 25.2 million (estimated)
• -Founded: 2002

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LA VERGNE, Tenn., July 9, 2012 – Robert W. Webb has been promoted to president and chief executive officer at Ingram Entertainment, and Robert A. Geistman has been promoted to executive vice president of sales and marketing.

David B. Ingram remains as chairman of Ingram Entertainment. W. Donnie Daniel, who previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for the company, has been elected vice chairman.

Ingram Entertainment Inc., with 2011 revenues over $549 million, is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, Blu-ray, video game hardware and software, audiobooks and accessories. Among the company’s 10,000 accounts are big retail chains like Kroger, Safeway and Toys R Us.

“Webb and Geistman have demonstrated strong leadership in our company and within our industry. Both promotions are part of our long-term succession plan to retain and cultivate top talent,” said Ingram. “Although I will continue to be involved with Ingram Entertainment, I will depend on these two leaders to manage the company.”

Webb most recently held the position of executive vice president, purchasing and operations. He joined Ingram in 1987 as product manager. In 1988, he was promoted to director of purchasing and a year later to vice president of purchasing. When Ingram acquired Commtron Corp. in 1992, Webb assumed the position of vice president of field operations, where he was responsible for the management of branch sales and operations. In 1994, Webb became senior vice president of purchasing and operations.

A board member of the National Association of Video Distributors, Webb currently serves as president of that organization. Webb also serves as a director of DBI Beverage Inc., an Ingram Entertainment sister company. He graduated from the State University of New York with a degree in psychology and received his MBA from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

Geistman joined Ingram Entertainment Inc. as part of Ingram’s acquisition of Commtron in 1992. At Ingram Entertainment he has held positions of increasing responsibility in the sales and marketing areas, and since January 2006 has served as its senior vice president, sales and marketing.

In 2001 Geistman joined the board of the Video Software Dealers Association (now the Entertainment Merchants Association). He was elected its chairman in 2004 and remains in that position today. Geistman holds a B.A. from the State University of New York.

History of Ingram Entertainment

Ingram Entertainment is headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, outside of Nashville. It is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVD and Blu-ray software, video games and audiobooks. Video specialty stores, electronics and video game stores, Internet retailers, drugstores and supermarkets comprise the bulk of its customer base. The grocery and drug division alone services over 35,000 storefronts.

Ingram Entertainment operates out of six sales and seven new release shipping facilities throughout the United States, four of which serve as national distribution centers. For over 99% of the continental United States, Ingram Entertainment products reach customers within two shipping days. The company also provides support services, including direct-to-consumer fulfillment for Internet retailers and category management services for retail partners.

Originally known as Ingram Video Inc., Ingram Entertainment was established in 1984 as part of Nashville’s Ingram Industries Inc. In 1996, Ingram Entertainment Inc. and Ingram Industries Inc. separated as part of a corporate reorganization, with David Ingram becoming Ingram Entertainment Inc.’s controlling shareholder.

More information may be found at www.ingramentertainment.com.

CONTACT: Sue Atkinson
satkinson@atkinsonpr.com

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 LA VERGNE, TN – David B. Ingram, owner of Ingram Entertainment Holdings Inc. and DBI Beverage Inc. announced today his $100,000 gift to the American Red Cross Philippines Relief Fund to help the victims of the Philippines typhoon disaster.  This gift is being made from the David Ingram Advised Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. 

Ingram Entertainment Inc. is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, Blu-ray, video game hardware and software, audiobooks, and accessories.  The company operates from 11 sales and distribution facilities located throughout the United States.  DBI Beverage Inc. is one of the leading beverage distributors in the country.  The company operates distributorships in eight California markets:  Chico, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton, San Jose, Truckee, and Ukiah.  These distributorships supply thousands of retail accounts with a wide variety of domestic, craft and import beers, specialty waters, energy drinks and soft drinks.

Contact:  Pam Garrison at (615) 287-4042

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 2, 2014 – Ingram Entertainment Inc. (www.ingramentertainment.com), the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, announced today that a subsidiary has purchased substantially all the assets of V.P.D. IV, Inc., a national home entertainment products distributor based in Folsom, California.  The transaction is effective June 30, 2014.

David Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Entertainment, said structural changes in the DVD home entertainment marketplace led to a deal with VPD.

“Acquiring the assets of VPD will enhance our financial performance by enabling us to process more units through a combined fewer locations.  Those efficiencies will better position us to work with our suppliers to provide our retailers with the products they need for their businesses.  We believe physical home entertainment media has a solid future, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead.  I am excited for our suppliers, customers, and associates,” said Ingram.

Bob Webb, Ingram Entertainment’s President & CEO, noted that “VPD has been a significant contributor to the home entertainment products distribution business for many years.  We at Ingram Entertainment look forward in particular to increasing our sales of products to “rentailer” customers, as this segment represents a significant portion of VPD’s business that will be transferred to Ingram Entertainment.”  Webb also expressed appreciation to all the personnel at both Ingram Entertainment and VPD who assisted in the purchase and will be assisting in the transition.

Both Webb and Ingram stressed that Ingram will be working to make the switch for customers from VPD to Ingram as seamless as possible.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Tim Shannahan, VPD’s Chairman/CEO and principal shareholder, remarked that “Departing from the wholesale distribution business is bittersweet for me, to say the least.  I will be eternally grateful to all the dedicated VPD personnel, both past and present, without whose contribution of time, talent, energy, and loyalty, we would have never enjoyed the success we experienced for so many terrific years!  I have a great deal of respect for Ingram Entertainment and its people and am confident VPD’s many customers will be in good hands.  My thanks to everyone who has helped along the way.”

Ingram Entertainment is headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, outside of Nashville.  It is the leading national distributor of home entertainment products, including DVD and Blu-ray software, video games and audiobooks.  Video specialty stores, electronics and video game stores, Internet retailers, drugstores and supermarkets comprise the bulk of its customer base.  Ingram Entertainment operates out of five sales and six shipping facilities throughout the United States, four of which serve as national distribution centers.  For over 99% of the continental United States, Ingram Entertainment products reach customers within two shipping days.  The company also provides support services, including direct-to-consumer fulfillment for Internet retailers and category management services for retail partners.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  Pam Garrison, pam.garrison@ingramentertainment.com, 615-287-4042

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Ceres, California, June 20, 2015 – In a joint news release, beverage wholesalers DBI Beverage Inc. (DBI) and Valley Wide Beverage Company (Valley Wide) are pleased to announce their separate acquisitions of product distribution rights and related assets of Cencal Beverage Co., LLC (Cencal), located in Ceres, California. Together, the assets acquired represent substantially all of Cencal’s beverage distribution rights and related assets. Other terms of the asset purchases, which closed yesterday, were not disclosed.

DBI’s purchase is expected to add 2.2 million product cases to DBI’s existing annual beverage sales, while Valley Wide anticipates its transaction will increase its annual volume by 600,000 cases. Both DBI and Valley Wide plan to continue to provide all former Cencal customers in these newly acquired territories with the pre-acquisition Cencal portfolio of brands and products. DBI will service customers in its new territory out of the location in Ceres used by Cencal immediately prior to these purchases, while Valley Wide will service customers in its newly acquired territory from Valley Wide’s current distribution facility in Fresno, California.

“Cencal Beverage Co. has been a successful distributorship in a growing market with exceptional associates and products,” said David Ingram, DBI’s Chairman, and Lou Amendola, Valley Wide President, in a joint statement. “We welcome them to our respective corporate families and look forward to the continued growth these acquisitions will bring to each separate company.”

DBI and affiliates also have California beer distribution operations in Stockton, Chico, Napa, Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco, Truckee and Ukiah. With this acquisition, that group of DBI companies will, on a consolidated basis, distribute an estimated 29 million cases of beverage products annually and employ approximately 1,100 associates. Valley Wide will now distribute an estimated 8 million cases of beverage product annually out of Fresno with a team of approximately 275 associates.

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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, November 4, 2015 –Beverage wholesalers, DBI Beverage San Jose (DBI) and M.E. Fox & Company, Inc., (M. E. Fox), announced today that DBI has purchased select beverage distribution rights and related assets of M.E. Fox.  Twenty-six suppliers, totaling 1.7 million product cases, were added to DBI’s portfolio including Constellation, Sierra Nevada, Heineken USA, Boston Beer and Diageo-Guinness.  Following the transaction, DBI’s San Jose’s operations will distribute approximately 6 million cases of beverages annually.

The Fox Family’s legacy in the U.S. beer industry dates back to the founding of the Fox Deluxe Brewing Company out of Chicago in 1933.  Michael E. Fox Sr.’s father, J. Raymond Fox, worked for several breweries after leaving Fox Deluxe ultimately retiring as Vice President, GM of the Hamm’s Breweries in San Francisco and Los Angeles.  Michael E. Fox Sr. and his wife, Mary Ellen, founded H&B Beer Sales (Hamm’s & Budweiser) in 1965, eventually changing the name of the company to M.E. Fox & Company, Inc. reflecting their shared initials.  Chairwoman Mary Ellen Fox’s father, James Croke, was General Counsel of the Schlitz Brewery in Milwaukee and was the chief negotiator for all the Milwaukee breweries during the Great Brewery Strike of 1954.  Michael and Mary Ellen’s six children have all either currently or previously worked in the family business.

Terence Fox, President of M.E. Fox, has been named Vice President and General Manager of DBI Beverage San Jose and will oversee the combined operations.  Dennis Fox and Catherine Fox have also accepted senior positions with DBI.  DBI will temporarily operate out of two warehouses, including the current M.E. Fox warehouse, until a new 160,000 sq. ft. facility is completed in the fall of 2016.

“Dennis, Catherine and I,” stated Terence, “are excited to join the growing DBI Beverage team. Though the decision to sell our distribution rights was very emotional, it is wonderful to know that our family’s tradition in the beer business continues.” David Ingram, DBI’s Chairman replied, “M.E. Fox & Company has been a successful distributorship in a growing market with exceptional associates and products. We welcome them to our organization and look forward to the growth this acquisition brings.”

DBI Beverage San Jose is a subsidiary of DBI Beverage Inc. which also operates beverage distributorships in Sacramento, San Francisco, Stockton, Modesto, Napa, Ukiah, Chico and Truckee. With this acquisition, DBI Beverage Inc. will distribute an estimated 31 million cases of beverage products annually and employ approximately 1,175 associates.

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La Vergne, Tennessee, December 9, 2015  — DBI Beverage Inc., corporate parent of a consolidated group comprising one of the largest beverage distributors in California and one of the largest of its kind in the country, has named Mark D. Ramer as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2016.  Ramer is presently the company’s Chief Operating Officer.  He will succeed Jeffrey D. Skinner, who plans to retire on January 31.  David B. Ingram continues as Chairman.

 Ramer has been with the DBI companies since their inception in 2002, serving first as Chief Information Officer (CIO), then Senior Vice President of Operations, before his promotion to Chief Operating Officer in October of this year.  In those roles Ramer has been instrumental in the growth of DBI, the deployment of new technologies, the oversight of many expansion projects, and the improvement in overall business operations.  In addition to his DBI duties, from 1993 to 2008 Ramer also held the CIO position at DBI’s sister company, Ingram Entertainment Inc.  Prior to that Ramer acquired relevant experience in a variety of companies and capacities that included eight years in wholesale distribution consulting with Arthur Andersen (now Accenture).  Ramer holds a B.S. in Construction Management from Purdue University and a master’s degree from Purdue’s Kannert School of Management.

“Mark has been key to the rapid and profitable growth of the DBI Beverage group over its entire history, deeply involved in all of our strategic initiatives.  Although we will miss Jeff Skinner, we are confident that our momentum will continue under Mark’s proven leadership,” said David Ingram.

DBI Beverage Inc. and Ingram Entertainment Inc. are both owned by David Ingram and headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, outside of Nashville.  Ingram founded DBI Beverage in 2002.  Since then, its subsidiaries have acquired distributorships in nine California markets:  Chico, Modesto, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Jose, Truckee, and Ukiah.  The DBI Beverage group anticipates on an annualized basis approximately $615 million in total revenues and distribution of approximately 30 million cases of beverage product.  More information, including supplier and brand information, is available at www.dbibeverage.com.

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La Vergne, Tennessee, June 14, 2016 — DBI Beverage Inc., parent of a corporate group that on a consolidated basis comprises one of the largest beverage distributors in California and one of the nation’s largest distributors of its kind, has named Paul M. Schmitt as Chief Operating Officer, effective July 18, 2016. Schmitt will come to DBI Beverage from Coors Distributing Company (CDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MillerCoors LLC located in Denver, Colorado. He will relocate to California and be based in DBI Beverage’s West Sacramento, California facility, reporting to Mark D. Ramer, DBI Beverage’s Chief Executive Officer.

At CDC, which generates $300 million annually in revenue, employs 361 people, and services approximately 4,600 retail customers in the Denver metro area, Schmitt currently serves as Senior Director of Sales and Marketing. In that role, Schmitt leads senior management teams in the areas of off-premise channel sales, on-premise channel sales, specialty markets and concessions sales, marketing, and business development. He also serves on the MillerCoors Central Region Distributor Business Council and the Central Region 3.2 Council. In those capacities Schmitt developed and led the first-ever Talent Exchange Program with MillerCoors and CDC and has been involved in providing insight on various projects for MillerCoors.

Schmitt joined CDC in 2012 after serving as General Manager of the MillerCoors Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming Management Unit based in Denver, a position to which he was appointed in July 2008 as part of the MillerCoors joint venture integration process. During the eight years prior to that, Schmitt held various positions of increasing responsibility at Coors Brewing Company as General Manager for North and South Carolina, District Business Manager for New York and Vermont, Retail Account Executive covering 19 chains in the Metro New York and northeastern U.S. market areas, and Field Sales Manager covering the Metro New York market, working closely with the Manhattan Beer Team. Schmitt started his beverage career with Pepsi in 1984.

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DBI Beverage Inc. and Ingram Entertainment Inc. are both owned by David Ingram and headquartered in La Vergne, Tennessee, outside of Nashville. Ingram founded DBI Beverage in 2002. Since then, its subsidiaries have acquired distributorships in nine California markets: Chico, Modesto, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Jose, Truckee, and Ukiah. For 2016, the DBI Beverage group anticipates approximately $615 million in total revenues from distribution of approximately 30 million cases of beverage product. More information, including supplier and brand information, is available at www.dbibeverage.com.

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