Columbia Distributing keeps growing, acquires Oregon’s General Distributors

General Distributors, a fourth-generation, family-owned Oregon beverage distributor has signed a letter of intent to sell all of the company’s stock to Columbia Distributing, a well-known distributor business based in Portland. General Distributors was established in 1921 by the late Charles A. Fick, Sr. and his brother George Fick, Sr. who started the company by selling candy, cigarettes and cigars.

Following the repeal of Prohibition, General began selling the Olympia beer brand and has since moved its headquarters from Portland to Oregon City, expanded its portfolio and currently employs 170 full- and part-time staff. General’s major suppliers include MillerCoors, Constellation, Mike’s Hard Lemonade and General maintains an extensive portfolio including craft breweries, ciders, as well as wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Columbia Distributing merged with Mt. Hood Beverage and Gold River Distributing in 2008 to form Columbia Distributing as it is known today.

Following the acquisition of California’s Mesa Beverage Co. in 2015, Columbia is now one of the country’s largest malt beverage distributors with major suppliers that include MillerCoors, Constellation Brands, Pabst, Mike’s Hard Lemonade as well as an extensive selection of specialty craft and imported beers, non-alcoholic beverages and ciders.

“Our family has enjoyed many years of success in the beverage distribution business and developed strong and lasting relationships with many of our retail and supplier partners. We would like to thank all of our employees for their hard work and commitment to the Fick Family,” said Charles Fick III, president General Distributors.

The companies expect the transaction to close at the end of March of 2018.