Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For CoHo Distributing, contact Lindy Bartell, Mindshare Marketing Communications, 503/860-8062 (mobile)
For Alaska Distributors Company, contact Steve Loeb, president & CEO, 206/622-7311 (office)

COHO DISTRIBUTING ANNOUNCES INTENT TO ACQUIRE ALASKA DISTRIBUTORS’ WESTERN WASHINGTON OPERATIONS

July 15, 2008 (Portland, Oregon) – CoHo Distributing, the intended merged entity of Columbia Distributing Company, Mt. Hood Beverage Company and Gold River Distributing, announced today that it intends to acquire the western Washington beer and portions of the non-alcoholic beverage business of Alaska Distributors Co.  In addition, Young’s Columbia will purchase a portion of Alaska Distributors’ western Washington wine business that will be serviced by CoHo.  This acquisition will line up the CoHo and Young’s Columbia beverage portfolio throughout the Northwest.

With the addition of Alaska Distributors’ Washington operations, CoHo Distributing will have annual sales of more than 40 million cases of beer, and non-alcoholic beverage and will operate out of facilities throughout Washington and Oregon.

CoHo’s acquisition of Alaska Distributors will require the approval of Alaska’s suppliers and will not include Alaska Distributors’ Alaska and eastern Washington/northern Idaho distributorships nor its Control State Brokerage and Southern Wine/Spirits West. Closing of the acquisition is expected in early October.

“As owners of Alaska Distributors Company since 1958, the Loeb family has a long tradition of offering our customers outstanding brands and outstanding people,” said Gregg Christiansen, current president and CEO of Columbia Distributing.  “This acquisition further extends CoHo’s shared vision of providing remarkable service to our customers, providing a rewarding workplace for our employees and creating a more environmentally sustainable company for the communities in which we serve.”

"When we were approached about possibly selling part of our business, we wanted to make sure that any buyer shared our mission and values as it relates to our team members, suppliers, customers and the communities in which we do business," said Steve Loeb, president and CEO of Alaska Distributors.  "CoHo Distributing has demonstrated that our approach to business will continue through them."

About Alaska Distributors Co.

Alaska Distributors Co., founded in 1934, distributes spirits, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages in Alaska and wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages in Washington and Northern Idaho. As a broker, it operates in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah.  Their operating divisions include Alaska Distributors Co., Spirits West, Great Northern Beverage, Friendly Distributors and Harvest Vine Distributing and the Company employs approximately 800 team members.

About CoHo Distributing

CoHo Distributing will result from the merging of Columbia Distributing, Mt. Hood Beverage Company and Gold River Distributing.  Once it’s finalized, CoHo Distributing will be the leading distributor of beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages in the Northwest and will be headquartered in Portland, OR, with operations in Seattle, Everett, Yakima, Kennewick, Portland, Eugene, Medford and Bend.

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