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RNDC creates craft spirits arm
US distributor Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) has established a new division dedicated to craft spirits, called The Artisan Group.
The Artisan Group (Tag) will see RNDC use its current best business practices across the US to create a ‘consistent’ strategy for its craft spirits portfolio that is easy to navigate.
The division will be led by Simone Bianconcini, who will become vice-president for Tag.
Bianconcini has been with RNDC for 25 years, where he began as a sales analyst and eventually worked in operations and other leadership roles, including area manager for the Gallo unit and division manager for Brown-Forman.
Most recently he served as the vice-president of sales in Kentucky. Bianconcini reports to Mike Young, senior vice-president of spirits at RNDC.
“RNDC has a long history of finding, nurturing, and developing craft spirits brands using the strength of our local teams and their execution,” said Bob Hendrickson, chief operating officer.
“Our teams find these brands before they gain national attention and bring these craft suppliers on board showing them what a full-service distributor can deliver. The unique combination of these craft brands with their innovative stories, the best-in-class execution of RNDC’s sales teams, along with RNDC’s knowledge, relationships and credibility as the distributor of choice is unbeatable. This also aligns with the company’s strategy of premiumisation.”
RNDC will add additional sales team intersections in key markets to support the new division. The move will allow suppliers to have fewer touchpoints and makes it easier to work with RNDC, the company said.
Furthermore, the new structure will also allow for a strong route to market and sharing of best practices.
Tag is in the process of a phased launch across the network and is expected to be in full operation by the end of the summer.
RNDC is the second largest drinks distribution firm in the US.
In February this year, the US distributor promoted Nick Mehall to the position of CEO and president.