Bob Archer of Salem, Va. will guide NBWA efforts to continue providing widest possible choices to American consumers
Special emphasis on bringing craft brewery products to the marketplace
SALEM, VA, October 18, 2012 — Bob Archer, president and CEO of Blue Ridge Beverage Company, Inc. in Salem, Virginia, has been tapped to lead the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), a trade group representing 3,300 independent beer distributors with more than 100,000 employees across the country. Archer assumed his new post as chair of the NBWA’s Board of Directors as the organization gathered for its 75th Annual Convention in San Diego, California, October 14-17th.
“I’m proud of the effectiveness of the American system of alcohol distribution, which balances robust competition with consumer safety and responsibility,” said Archer. “I’m particularly excited about the prospect of working with the nation’s burgeoning craft breweries to enhance their access to market.
“There are nearly 2,100 craft breweries in the U.S. whose commitment to great beer contributes to an amazing choice of more than 13,000 labels of beer available to American consumers. Craft brewers are producing authentic, distinctive local beers that appeal to today’s discriminating tastes, and as distributors, we proudly provide logistical, marketing and promotional resources to make sure these craft brews can be enjoyed by a wide audience.
“An important part of our story is that distributors make it possible for restaurant patrons and retail customers in Virginia and elsewhere to enjoy unique beers from across the country.”
“I believe the explosion of different and more vibrant flavors is changing the tastes of American beer consumers,” said craft brewer Mary Wolf, president of Wild Wolf Brewing Company in Nelson County, Virginia.
Wolf says her distributors have played an important role in growing her business. “It’s absolutely a good relationship. It would be hard without them. They’ve got the organization and the infrastructure in place to help us,” said Wolf.
“Blue Ridge was our first distributor decision and it’s been a good one for us,” added Wolf. “It’s just nice to know that we aligned ourselves with a family-owned business that’s been around for a long time and has strong values.”
About Blue Ridge Beverage:
In addition to representing well-known national and international brands of beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks, Blue Ridge Beverage serves retailers with dozens of beers from more than 20 craft brewers from Virginia and elsewhere in the nation.
Blue Ridge Beverage was founded in 1938 and has been under the direct ownership of the Archer family since 1959, when Archer’s parents James and Regine Archer moved their young family to the Roanoke Valley. The company has remained a family business in the fullest sense, with all six Archer children working full time in various capacities. Regine, an NBWA Life Service Award recipient and MillerCoors Legend, still comes to work daily.
Bob Archer joined the firm in 1972 after graduating from Virginia Tech and serving in Vietnam with the U.S. Army. He retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve after 30 years. Archer has served as president and CEO of Blue Ridge Beverage since 2001. The firm has grown to be one of the largest full-service beverage distributors in Virginia, serving a territory spanning 49 counties and 17 cities in central and western Virginia. Headquartered in Salem, the firm also has facilities in Waynesboro, Lynchburg, South Boston and Marion and has 385 employees.
Archer, 65, has been active in business, civic and charitable programs. He served as Chairman of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce in 2004. Archer also has held top leadership positions with the Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association. He joined the NBWA board in 2004 and became an officer with the national trade group in 2010. Archer resides in Salem, Virginia with his wife Sandy, and is a member of the First United Methodist Church. They have three daughters and six grandchildren.
More information at: http://www.blueridgebeverage.com/
