Modernizing the Beverage Industry: A Collective Force Driving Innovation

As the beverage industry navigates a pivotal moment, modernization becomes essential to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape. Our industry, renowned for its rich history and tradition, is now embracing a new era of innovation and modernization. This journey is not driven by a single entity but by the collective force of industry leaders, beverage brands, distributors, retailers, and consumers who are all contributing to a shared vision of progress. As integral members of this network, these companies are accomplishing remarkable achievements, leveraging advanced technologies and collaborative strategies to redefine the beverage industry landscape. Together, we are driving unprecedented change and setting new standards for excellence in the market.

Growing the Expansive Encompass Network 

Encompass Technologies exists because of our customers, and who we are is a direct reflection of each business operating within the beverage industry. Our collective network fosters collaboration, innovation, and shared success, allowing businesses to interact seamlessly, adapt swiftly to market changes, optimize operations, and better serve consumers. This creates a dynamic and supportive environment where people can reinvest in their businesses and teams, instead of just maintaining the status quo.

In the past 12 months:

• 14 distributors, totaling 134 warehouses, went live with Encompass, joining an existing network of over 400 distributors and 600 warehouse locations distributing over 1 billion CEs per year.  72.2% of the distributors are total beverage companies.

  • Including The Odom Corporation, J.J. Taylor Distributing, Denver Beverage, Artisan Fine Wine & Spirits, More Than Grapes LLC, and many more.

• 91 wineries and beverage producers joined Encompass, adding to an established network of 1,500 producers. 40% are multi-segment producers.

  • Including Antinori Napa Valley, Rhinegeist, Delegat Limited, and many more.

• 136,837 retailers became part of the network, joining 562,000 others.

• $1 billion worth of transactions processed via paylink at Encompass distributors.

This incredible growth is a testament to the power of our collective network. Together, we are not just keeping pace with industry changes—we are setting the standard for innovation and excellence in the beverage industry.

Creating The Space To Grow Despite Industry-Level Challenges

Growth takes investment and investment requires the resources of time and money. The network members of Encompass continue to set new benchmarks in the beverage industry, demonstrating remarkable growth and making significant contributions to their communities because they make strategic decisions around technology and operations that enable them to focus on thriving more than surviving. 

It’s worth taking note and celebrating some outstanding milestones and philanthropic efforts of some of the organizations operating within the Encompass Network:

• Eagle Rock Distributing Company celebrated the grand opening of their new 225,000 square foot warehouse and 43,000 square foot office in Monument, Colorado.

• Sunkey Beverage Holdings signed an agreement to acquire Silver Eagle San Antonio.

• High Country Beverage named 2024 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics winner.

• Kohler Distributing and Shore Point Distributing partnered with D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. in a $52,895 donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

• Bellavance Beverage Company, LLC hosted 60 veterans of Vietnam, Korea and World War II for breakfast before their Honor Flight to Washington, DC.

• Mockler Beverage received Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation Workplace Safety Award.

• Boston Beer celebrated 15 years of their "Brewing the American Dream" program that has surpassed $100 million in loan funding to over 4,200 small business owners.

• Riboli Family Wines launched into RTDs, expanded its fine wine portfolio with new Sauvignon Blanc offerings, and launched Sprits Del Conte

• Craig Stein Beverage announced plans to build a new 150,000-square-foot distribution center.

• B&K Distributing will expand and build a second location in Hayden, CO, as announced by President Chris Kaminski.

• Tryon Distributing donated over $28,000 to the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association to support hospitality workers.

• Tilray expanded its product portfolio through acquisitions of notable breweries. 

• Premium Brands of Northwest Arkansas set to build new headquarters in Springdale, AR.

• J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines launched a significant philanthropic campaign called "50 Years, States & Ways of Giving" to celebrate their 50th anniversary, ultimately donating over $250,000 to 50 U.S charities

• United Distributors won Industry Partner of the Year by the Georgia Restaurant Association.

• Adams Beverages of NC, LLC celebrated the completion of their new 113,862 sq. ft. warehouse.

• Rhinegeist continued their "Charitable Suds" program, where a portion of beer sales goes to local charitable organizations

• Cone Distributing Inc. donated over $140,000 in support of monuments dedicated to honoring veterans.

• Tri-Eagle Sales delivered more than 100,000 cans of water to areas impacted by Hurricane Idalia in Florida.

Staying Ahead of Industry Trends with Modern Solutions

Empowering Data-Driven Operations

Data-driven operations enable businesses to make informed, objective decisions, enhancing efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. By leveraging data analytics, companies can identify trends, uncover inefficiencies, and predict outcomes, leading to improved performance, reduced costs, and higher customer satisfaction. Leaders in the modern beverage industry leverage data to stay ahead of not only industry trends, but sales, consumer, and larger market shifts.

Launched earlier this year, Unified Reporting provides users with a single source of truth for their data, ensuring quick access to information needed to make informed decisions. 

Unified Reporting Highlights

• KPI Dashboards: Customizable dashboards provide real-time insights into key performance indicators for faster decision-making.

• Pre-Built Report Library: Ready-to-use reports tailored to the beverage industry help customers quickly access vital information.

• User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive design allows users at all levels to navigate and generate reports effortlessly.

• Enhanced Data Exploration: Users can drill down into specific areas of interest to uncover valuable insights and trends.

• Seamless Collaboration: Effortlessly share reports and insights across teams to ensure alignment and keep everyone informed.

Furthermore, Encompass’ new seamless integration with Power BI brings a powerful, industry-standard reporting tool directly into the Encompass ecosystem with Advanced Analytics.

Advanced Analytics Highlights

• Seamless Data Access: Empower real-time, informed decision-making and boost operational efficiency.

• Accelerated Decision-Making: Intuitive user experiences enhance decision-making speed.

• Advanced Insights: Anomaly detection and AI insights transform data into actionable intelligence.

• Interactive Data Exploration: Power BI's Question function turns natural language questions into instant visualizations.

Streamlining Routing Strategies

In today’s fast-paced distribution environment, effective strategic planning is crucial for building efficient routes and maximizing customer service. Encompass has recently integrated with Wise Systems to offer Strategic Planner, a solution for strategic route planning that’s already helping distributors with:

• Seasonal Routing: Adapt routes to seasonal market changes.

• Territory Expansion: Navigate changes with ease when expanding territory due to acquisitions or new suppliers.

• Resource Allocation: Determine the optimal number of drivers and trucks needed for maximum efficiency.

• Market Integration: Seamlessly integrate new retailers into existing routes.

• Operational Forecasting: Evaluate potential changes in territory and fleet composition with accurate projections.

Leveraging Embedded AI

The latest advancements in AI are poised to revolutionize business operations within the beverage industry. Cutting-edge AI solutions are embedded in Encompass, designed to streamline warehouse processes, optimize back-office functions, and enhance market strategies. By automating mundane tasks, AI reduces resource waste and boosts productivity, allowing businesses to focus on core activities that drive value.

AI technology harnesses data to provide visualizations for informed decision-making, suggest orders, enhance warehouse efficiencies, and facilitate agile decision-making. The potential applications of AI are limitless, with ongoing advancements continually expanding possibilities. These innovations enable strategic resource and team management, opening avenues for hiring in more strategic roles and fostering unprecedented efficiencies and growth opportunities.

Embedded AI ensures that leveraging its benefits is effortless. No technical expertise is required, as the solutions are designed to operate seamlessly in the background. This empowers teams to concentrate on enhancing their business's value, making AI an integral part of their operations.

The Future Is Here: Are You Ready? 

Future-proofing your business requires modern technology and there's never been a more critical time to upgrade software providers. Are you ready to join the modern beverage industry?

For more information on how Encompass Technologies can elevate your business:
Beverage Producers click here
Beverage Distributors click here