Bud Distributing Inc.
52322 M-51
Dowagiac, MI 49047
Phone: 1 (269) 782-3141
Fax: 1 (269) 782-5151
Owners
John Nate Jr.
President
buddy@buddistributing.com
Mike Nate
Equity Manager
nikko@buddistributing.com
Jeff Nate
General Manager
nikko@buddistributing.com
Mark Nate
Warehouse Manager
nikko@buddistributing.com
Key Employees
Dave Stuppy
Director of Sales
dave@buddistributing.com
Jenna Podjan
Sales Manager
jenna@buddistributing.com
Scott Brady
IT Manager
sbrady@buddistributing.com
Total number of employees: 41
Number of merchandisers: 5
Number of sales reps: 8
Number of sales supervisors: 1
About Us
Our company was founded in 1947 as Silver Creek Distributing by John Nate Sr. with Carling Black Label as the flagship beer brand. The company was renamed John Nate Beverages in 1949, and in 1954, John “Buddy” Nate Jr. joined the business at age 16, working in the warehouse. Buddy became the managing partner in the 1960’s and in 1970, he bought Diamond Lake Distributing, the local A/B distributor. In 1993, John Nate Beverages was split into two companies, with the wine division remaining John Nate Beverages and Buddy forming Bud Distributing as the beer company and becoming the sole owner. In 2009, Bud Distributing bought South End Beverages, doubling the company’s Anheuser-Busch business. Over the past several years, the company has added over 50 more suppliers, many of them Michigan craft beers and Michigan wineries.
Community Involvement
Major Company donations or charitable organizations supported:
Crime Stoppers
Local High Schools for Alcohol Awareness
Lee Memorial Hospital
Gate Way
United Way
Susan G. Koman
Brian Parker Golf for Cancer Cure
Counties Served
Western half of Van Buren
Berrien
Cass
Total Market population: 282,500
Current Suppliers (Beer Only)
National: Anheuser-Busch, Constellation, New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, Gambrinus
Regional: Maplewood
Michigan: Round Barn, Sister Lakes, Saugatuck, Elk, Silver Harbor, Roak, Rochester Mills, Tapistry, Perrin, Barn Brewers, Austin Brothers, Frankenmuth, White Flame
Competitive Advantage
Only local distributor left in our marketing area
All our employees live in our marketing area
Only company that spends money on local media and special events
Ownership is well known and the only ownership that is active in area
Only a couple of special events a year that we don’t participate in / sponsor
Local Market Dynamics
Marketing territory-Berrien, Cass Counties, and the western half of Van Buren
World headquarters for Whirlpool and Leco Corporations
Major agriculture area
Western boundary is 65 miles of Lake Michigan frontage
Southern boundary is 60 miles of Indiana / Michigan border
No major manufacturing plants left
Major summer tourist trade
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Retail Account Information
Off-Premise Accounts: 228
On-Premise Accounts: 232
Chain Accounts Serviced
Off-Premise + number of locations:
Meijer (3)
Walmart (3)
Martins (3)
Wesco (2)
Speedway (8)
Casey’s (1)
CVS (1)
Dollar General (20)
Rite Aid (7)
Walgreens (5)
Spartan Managed (1)
Walters-Dimmick (3)
Festival & Event Accounts
Major Venues/Special Events/Festivals serviced within the market:
Blues, Brews and BBQ
Country Jam
Smooth Jazz
Apple Fest
Weco Beach Festival
Wurst Festival
Total Number of Events/Festivals held within market: 52
Total Number of Events/Festivals serviced by company: 49
Current Total Customer Service Score: 88%
Delivery Service Score: 90%
Sales Service Score: 88%