Stateways

StateWays - July/August 2017

StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions

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StateWays | www.stateways.com | July/August 2017 8 s Chairman O'Brien mentioned in the brochure for this conference, "Change is not only constant, it happens faster than ever before." There are really only two approaches to change; you can fight it or you can take advantage of it. Both control state jurisdictions and industry have seen their share of changes recently. Change is necessary to keep pace with today's demands and to position control state operations for the future. Changes like store modernization, streamlined listing and del- isting policies and new warehouse facilities including updated logistics systems have all been at the forefront in recent years. Simultaneously, with the help of NABCA, there has been much progress made in areas like satisfy- ing the growing demands of national accounts, standardizing electronic price quotation forms and products specs and collaborative communication. These are all necessary changes that must continue to be addressed to stave off the perception that control state operations are an out- dated dinosaur and the simple solution is to privatize a state liquor distribution system. Control state jurisdictions that don't embrace change will not reap the benefits of a modern and consumer-friendly sys- tem, and are destined to bear the brunt of pressure to privatize. At Luxco, "Taking Advantage of Change" has been the theme since before 2016. This past year has seen a significant change in every aspect of our business model. Changes are evident in our approach to the business, the thought process that go into route-to-market decisions, new product development, employee development and our production decisions. In 2016, there is no greater evidence that Luxco is taking advantage of change than with the groundbreaking at the Lux Row Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. This distillery represents the single largest investment in Luxco's storied history and, with a price tag of $35 million dollars, was the single largest invest- ment in Kentucky's bourbon business in 2016. In the very near future, this family owned and operated distillery will produce NABCA ADVISORY COMMITTEE Roundtable TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CHANGE BY RICK PRZEBIEDA, CHAIR, NABCA INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Control state jurisdictions that don't embrace change will not reap the benefits of a modern and consumer-friendly system, and are destined to bear the brunt of pressure to privatize. EDITORS NOTE: This contribution to last issue's advi- sory committee roundtable feature was unintentionally left out. StateWays regrets that error. a portion of Luxco's line up of bourbons, including Rebel Yell, Ezra Brooks, Blood Oath and David Nicholson. In addition to brick and mortar, enhancements to our sales structure is another example of how Luxco is taking advantage of change. Our new control states business unit struc- ture includes a 100% dedicated team that manages all sales func- tions, administrative services, field marketing functions, business analytics and inventory management. Embracing change to keep pace, improve efficiencies and enhance the revenue stream are critical, but not at the expense of core principles that have served Luxco well. Luxco has and will continue to evolve and improve as a company. What hasn't changed is our mission, our key pillars and our values. We remain a consumer products company mindful of the past, yet focused on the future. We strive to meet and exceed the expecta- tions of our consumers, associates and business partners through optimized resources, incomparable service and an innovative brand portfolio. We stay fo- cused on our core values of integrity, respect and commitment. At Luxco, the daily message to each of our team members is to work hard, serve our cus- tomer, have fun and do the right thing. We are always mindful that people do business with people, not companies. As was started under Chairman O'Brien's leadership and, I am certain, will continue under Chair-Elect Deloney, control states and the industry will continue to work together through NABCA to effect positive change in keeping with honorable, time-tested traditions to meet the challenges of today and pro- duce the opportunities of tomorrow. •

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