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A LITTLE MORE than two months after Abita Beer Co. switched distributors, President David Blossman is optimistic that increased sales and better promotions are in store.
Since Nov. 25, Abita products have been distributed by Crescent Crown Distributing LLC, which replaced Champagne Beverage Company Inc., Abita's distributor for eight years. The switch means Abita's products are now being distributed from the North Shore, the Houma-Thibodeaux area and from New Orleans, Blossman says.
"This switch is a big deal" he says.
Besides creating a stronger New Orleans presence, the change resulted in Abita being more aggressively marketed.
Covington-based Champagne was restricted in promoting Abita because of pressure from Anheuser-Busch, the largest label marketed by Champagne, Blossman says.
"It's harder to get focused when Champagne was being bombarded by AnheuserBusch" he says. "Now we get more attention from the new distributor. There'll be more accounts and products properly displayed."
Gross sales for fiscal year 2002 were about $6.3 million, Blossman says.
Blossman wouldn't say how much the distribution deal is worth. He says the contract is "ongoing."
Blossman doesn't blame the king of beers for dominating its former distributors' attention.
"That's business, you know," he says. "We want the same things they want: attention from the wholesaler. So, you know, it's probably a win-win situation for Anheuser-Busch. But for us...