Solutions

“With wonderful business you can figure out what will happen, you can’t figure out when it will happen so it’s about what you focus on. If you are right about what you focus on you don’t have to worry about when”
W Buffet 

Is the 3-Tier System Broken?

The answer depends on your size: it works well for top 25 suppliers, but smaller and mid-sized suppliers face significant challenges. Meritage Group specializes in securing the right wholesaler matches for brands at state, regional, and national levels, leveraging independent sales and marketing representation to unlock revenue and margin opportunities. Meet Tim Sullivan, Strategic Managing partner with Meritage Group

Our Approach

Distributor Alignment:

  • Match suppliers to wholesalers like Breakthru, RNDC, Southern, and Winebow, as well as mid sized independent distributors such as Martignetti, Maverick, and MS Walker.
  • Team Meritage has active experience with over 100 wholesaler-distributors in the USA
  • Provide strategic planning, data insights, and trusted in-market sales representation.
  • Craft compelling distributor presentations and 45-second digital videos for easy sales rep access, boosting credibility and customer engagement.

Compliance, Logistics and People Power:

  • Navigate federal and state compliance, warehousing, and shipping requirements seamlessly.
  • Manage metro NY inventory for streamlined distribution, imperative for emerging brands.
  • Meritage Group works on group dynamics where the sum is actually better than their tremendous individual parts.

Facing New Realities

The consolidation of wholesale and retail chains has made brand activations tougher. Major brands dominate, while emerging suppliers face competition from RTDs, health concerns, and post-pandemic consumer spending shifts. For example there are almost ten times the number of domestic wineries over two decades (2,500 wineries  are now 12,000) all looking for consumer share. Enhance your success options with Meritage Group:

  • Strong supplier-wholesaler relationships.
  • Effective time management and direct trade sales strategies.
  • Engagement through social media, consumer events, education, and authentic digital messaging.

The Meritage Advantage

  • Tim Sullivan served as portfolio manager for Breakthru in FL for all spirits over a 15 year period joining Meritage in 2024. Creative customer solutions understanding competition derived from all sized wholesalers. Tim works with our Clients building compelling stories that connect with impact on strategic priorities. A complete understanding of capital costs both supplier and distributor necessary for Meritage Group to unique opportunities throughout the chain environments which dictates most of the top 10 states in the US.
  • Category Development Index (CDI) importance in Clients competitive set, where the category trends are actually favoring brand development. National pricing data, business development activations, channel pricing options. Tim leads the cost per case investments for our Clients with direct communications with our trade development managers across US.
  • Focus on creating memorable brand experiences for our customers at wholesale beyond products and pricing.

“History repeats itself opportunity doesn’t”