Since 1941, Corwin Beverage Company has been distributing Pepsi and Dr. Pepper products throughout Southwest Washington, marking 2016 as their 75th anniversary.
Founders Kyle and Laura Kendall originally opened as Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Vancouver along with their daughter, Barbara, and future son-in-law, Harold. Now a fourth generation, locally-owned company, Corwin Beverage retains exclusive rights to distribute Pepsi soft drinks in Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties.
In honor of their milestone year, a 16-ounce Pepsi can with the Corwin logo is in region-wide circulation and can be found throughout the remainder of the year. Also, the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce held their July MEGA: Business After Hours gathering at Corwin Beverage on Tuesday, July 12. Area business people were invited to tour their Ridgefield warehouse, enjoy food and beverage samples and meet new CEO, Keith Richards.
Hired in May, Richards brings 30 years of relevant industry expertise to Corwin. His MBA in leadership, entrepreneurship and organizational development from Grand Canyon University and B.S. in accounting from Central Washington University will be put to good use as he sets his sights on doubling sales revenues for Corwin by 2020. He’s particularly versed on working with privately-owned businesses that are undergoing a generational transformation.
“It is very difficult for a multi-generational organization to bring in outsiders to run their business,” said Richards. “Not only are there the typical issues that face a growing organization, but there is typically a very strong desire to retain the family feel that has become a staple component of the culture. I bring many years of experience working with family businesses balancing the need and desire for growth while at the same time honoring the legacy values that drove the business.”
Ties that span over seven decades translate to significant community involvement for Corwin, and this year has been no exception. Chris Workman, community relations manager, noted that company participation at the recent Ridgefield 4th of July Parade was larger than ever and there are plans in the works to be involved in something similar to last year’s Clark County Connects Day of Service, but the exact details have not yet been nailed down.
The organization has grown from one truck and three employees to more than 100 trucks and 130 employees. Workman said the family is grateful for and proud of their workforce and the culture they’ve created. As a show of appreciation, an event is scheduled this fall at Big Al’s for employees, their spouses and children.
Today, Corwin offers 700 products including water, tea, a full coffee line and a variety of snack options. Workman said that the company is constantly looking at new products and identifying consumer tastes and wants. As an example of their innovative approach to the beverage industry, Kendall’s Pioneer Distributing was established in 2014.
“There’s a movement of local craft beers that just have kind of exploded in the last three to five years so why not look for expansion and external revenue from soft drinks and establish a reputable distributorship?” Workman said. “We know how to distribute and … it’s all local stuff.”
The name Kendall’s is a nod to the original owners of Corwin and, although operating as a separate company, the concept of staying local is strong. Representing craft producers is the focus at Kendall’s.
With such an extensive history in Southwest Washington, it’s no surprise that Corwin is highly regarded in the business community.
“The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce is proud of all our members. Beyond that pride, we are humbled to think we have continued to earn the support and participation of Corwin for all 75 of the years they have been in business locally,” said John McDonagh, Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce CEO and publisher of the Vancouver Business Journal. “The Corwin family has been staunch supporters of the Southwest Washington community, doing business locally, and of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. It is with pride we congratulate them on their past 75 years and look forward to partnering with them for the next 75.”
Corwin Beverage Co.
219 S. Timm Road, Ridgefield www.corwinbevco.com Founded 1941
130+ Employees
