Beer distributors look to Mickey for the future

Beer wholesalers crowded the Mickey booth at NBWA to get a glimpse of what’s coming in 2017.

During his opening address at the National Beer Wholesalers Association 79th Annual Convention last month in Chicago, IL, NBWA President and CEO Craig Purser said that ?a robust and competitive system of independent distribution? has created ?a new Golden Age? for the U.S. beer industry.? And despite certain ?disruptions? from global and homeland security to the world economy, politics and new technologies, Purse encouraged beer distributors to ?turn headwinds into tailwinds? and ?lean in? to the future.

Mickey Truck Bodies, one of more than 160 exhibitors appearing at the convention, gave the hundreds of distributors in attendance a peak into that future by showcasing a pipeline of new delivery units and enhanced features all designed to help distributors get their beer into more outlets in less time with greater ease.

?The Mickey booth had a great location and the traffic was non-stop for both days,? says Tom Arland, Vice President of Beverage, Van and Specialty Vehicle Sales. ?There was tremendous interest in our new Mickey ?Party Time? event trailer, 8-bay ?Hot Shots,? and the new 21st Century and Double Play combo units. Distributors are looking for greater delivery versatility so they can service multiple types of accounts from the same units, as well as for specialty units for very specific delivery requirements. Everyone wanted to know what Mickey is working on that will help their delivery operations be more profitable and more efficient. We received a lot of interest in some of the advanced projects we have in the works for 2017. We set the bar pretty high with our E-Lock and expect to follow up with similar innovations.?