Supply Chain Now Radio, Episode 79

“Blueprint 2019 – Session 4”

Hosted by Blue Ridge – Learn more here: https://blueridgeglobal.com/

Episode 79 of SCNR features Mike Shutt and Jim Byrnes.

Mike Shutt serves as Purchasing Manager with United Distributors, the largest beverage alcohol wholesaler in both Georgia and Alabama. With two members of the fourth generation of the Hertz family involved in leadership roles, United is one of the 2-3% of family businesses that are able to successfully transition beyond the third generation.

Through the ’80s and ’90s, United made a staggering 12 acquisitions throughout Georgia, providing broad statewide distribution coverage for its spirit and wine brands. United also broke into the domestic beer market by partnering with the Coors Brewing Company, Miller Brewing, and Heineken. In the mid-1980s, in order to encourage continuous growth and welcome new opportunities, United moved its headquarters to its current location in Smyrna, GA.

This facility allowed United to continue its warehouse and delivery consolidation efforts across the state. The Smyrna location was also critical when United purchased the distribution rights for the Miller Brewing Company in Atlanta, which nearly doubled the size of its beer distribution business.

Today, United conducts its Georgia operations at this location, as well as at warehouse and delivery locations in Savannah and Albany. United has since expanded into Alabama where it operates as United-Johnson Brothers of Alabama. Connect with Mike Shutt on LinkedIn and learn more about United Distributors here: https://udiga.com/

Jim Byrnes is the CEO of Blue Ridge where he brings a proven track record in growing profitable application and consulting businesses. Prior to joining Blue Ridge, Jim served as CEO of M4 Global Solutions, consisting of three independent operating companies: Changepoint, Uniface. and Lochbridge.  Prior to M4, he spent more than 11 years at Infor, where he held multiple executive positions including SVP of Process Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution and EVP of Global Consulting Services. He previously ran the US operations of Ability as President of the supply chain management solutions provider. Jim has also served the Chief Operations Officer of Impact Innovations Group, a consulting services company focused on delivery chain management. Connect with Jim Byrnes on LinkedIn and learn more about Blue Ridge here: https://blueridgeglobal.com/

Episode79 is hosted by Scott Luton.

Upcoming Events & Resources Mentioned in this Episode

Learn more about Blue Ridge’s work in the Wine & Spirits industry: click here

SCNR Tunes, Track 1, featuring Tommy Townsend & Will Haraway: click here

APICS Atlanta CSCP and CLTD Boot Camps at Georgia Tech: click here

Learn more about Supply Chain 101: https://youtu.be/Qc6U9WWUsYo

See SCNR’s latest webinar featuring an update on Drones & IoT technologies: https://youtu.be/K21zQICAnIg

Georgia Manufacturing Alliance: https://www.georgiamanufacturingalliance.com/

Blueprint 2019: https://blueridgeglobal.com/blueprint-2019/

AME Atlanta 2019 Lean Summit: https://www.ame.org/ame-atlanta-2019-lean-summit

Transparency 2019: https://www.freightwaves.com/transparency19

EFT 3PL & Supply Chain Summit: click here

Gartner Supply Chain Leadership Conference in Phoenix: https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/supply-chain-us