US: Southern moves further into control states

US distributor Southern Wine & Spirits is to begin operations in Alabama, the second control state in which it has opened an office within a month.

Southern said the move, which comes just weeks after it moved into West Virginia, means it will be present in 15 control states. In the US, a control state is one where there is a state monopoly over the wholesale or retail of certain categories of beverage alcohol.

Wayne E. Chaplin, president and CEO at Southern, said the company would continue to focus on building its presence in the country's control states. He added: "Just as we conduct business in our other markets, we count on bringing our expertise and leadership in the establishment and ongoing development of our Alabama division."

The company has appointed Keith Treadwell to head its operations in Alabama. Treadwell will report to Peter Hickey, Southern's executive vice president, general manager for the company across the control states.

Hickey said: "Keith will manage both the Alabama as well as our company's existing Mississippi operation that Southern commenced earlier this year."

Earlier this year, Southern struck a deal with Seattle-based Alaska Distributors Co. in April. The two companies formed a venture, SouthernWine/Spirits West, to cover the control states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.