about eagle beverage
OUR MISSION
To build profitable market share through growth in every category in all retail segments.
OUR VISION
To be the foremost beverage supplier in exceeding our customer’s needs to improve their business. We strive to balance our partner’s concerns by building personal relationships with sales, service and appreciation.
Our Values
Customer Focus
We believe it essential to provide our associates with the resources and services to grow our business and theirs. If we don’t take care of our customers, someone else will.
Quality
We believe in providing the best quality merchandise and service in the industry to our customers.
Innovative
We believe in keeping an open mind, encouraging risk using common sense and initiating change.
Teamwork
We believe in cultivating an open and candid environment with a common purpose, personal accountability, friendship and trust.
Leadership
We believe in leading through personal example, providing direction and enabling action.
Continuous Improvment
We believe in personal growth and development, meaningful training, education, and clear objectives with coordinated efforts.
Integrity
We believe in a climate of honor, trust and respect that builds quality relationships to make our actions consistent with our words and to follow through on our commitments.
MEET THE TEAM
President
Steve Williamson
general manager
Dave Irvin
cfo/operations manager
Cathie Tronson
HR Director/logistics coordinator
Mark Hines
sales director
Todd Bahmiller
manager - shelby location
Michael Martin
manager - helena location
Brian Barnes
on premise manager
Mark Schwantes
large format store manager
Tyler Zeak
small format store manager
Josh Armstrong
soda manager
Mick Irvin
wine team leader
Heather Jackson
special events/draft
Scott Selley
warehouse manager
Conrad Lagendorff
wine warehouse manager
Dave Curtis
office dog/emotional support
Chewbacca "Chewie"
Eagle Beverage Currently Employs Approximately
Our Territory
Eagle Beverage has a territory for most beer spanning from the Canadian border, including Glacier National Park to the south of Helena. The territory includes the east side of the Rocky Mountain front to the west of Chester on the hi-line.
Eagle Beverage represents several wineries across the state, with employees living in Billings, Butte, and Missoula.
OUR HISTORY
Alcohol prohibition begins in Montana
Prohibition lifted
When the ban on the making, selling, and drinking of alcohol was lifted in the early 1930s, Harry Watkins started a beer distribution business in Shelby and Havre. The first loads of Budweiser and Schiltz in Montana arrived at Harry’s warehouse, and a family business named Shelby Distributors was born.
Stanley Watkins takes over Shelby Distributors
Shelby Distributors, an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler under the direction of Stanley Watkins, continued to provide malt beverages to consumers along the Montana hi-line.
Shelby Distributors expands product offerings
Shelby Distributors adds wine, specifically E&J Gallo, along with non-alcoholic beverages such as water and soft drinks.
Partnership
Steve Williamson, who grew up in the beer business helping his stepfather, Stanley Watkins, formed a partnership with sales manager David Irvin (1990) in 1998.
Portfolio expansion continues
Shelby Distributors kept increasing their portfolio to include national brands like New Belgium, Rainier, and Pabst as well as Montana micros like Big Sky and Harvest Moon.
Purchase of Devine Brothers
Shelby Distributors purchases Devine Bros. Distributing in Great Falls, which resulted in the merger of two of the original Montana Anheuser-Busch beer distributors in the state.
Eagle Beverage
Shelby Distributors sets up their dba name of Eagle Beverage. With that merger, Eagle Beverage expands to several national and state beer and wine brands. Eagle also builds a new 41,000 square foot building just off the Missouri River in the heart of Great Falls.
Purchase of Red, White, and Blush Wines, Inc.
In May of 2015, Eagle Beverage purchased Red, White, and Blush Wines, Inc. out of Billings - adding significant independent wineries and importers to a steadily growing wine portfolio.
Purchase of Sandy Mac's Distributing
Eagle Beverage purchases Sandy Mac’s Distributing in Helena, creating a need to build another 21,000 square foot building to fulfill orders for the expanding market.