CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Hand Family Cos., a Clarksville beer distributor, has been named Market Watch’s 2016 Beer Wholesaler of the Year.
Hand Family Cos. started in 1949, when Raymond Hand established Ideal Distributing in Clarksville, Tennessee. In 1956, the company was awarded distribution rights for Anheuser-Busch products in an eight-county area surrounding Clarksville.
Raymond’s son Charles took over the company at age 22. J.R. officially joined the family business in 2003. From 2003 through 2013, Hand Family’s annual beer volume jumped from 4 million cases to 17 million cases. In 2009, Charles assumed the title of chairman, while J.R. was named president and CEO.
The company distributes in Tennessee, Kentucky and now Illinois. Hand Family has annual sales of nearly $650 million and represents about 200 suppliers.
Read more about the Hand Family Cos. from Market Watch.