Nappi Distributors is a third-generation, Maine family-owned and operated beer and wine wholesaler. The Nappi family has a long and successful history in the state’s beverage industry. In 1933, Giovanni (John) Nappi founded a Maine-based distributorship, one of scores in the state following Prohibition. John Nappi’s distributorship became a profitable family-operated business, employing many of his 15 children. Three of John’s sons, Frank Sr., Nick and Sam Nappi, learned about the beverage business at their father’s distributorship. Then, in 1960, the three set out to start their own company and Nappi Distributors was born.
Nappi Distributors has grown into one of Maine’s largest beer and wine wholesalers with a territory that stretches from Fryeburg to Brunswick to Kittery, and a support staff of over 190 employees. Nappi offers prominent beer brands such as Miller and Coors, many fine imported beers and Maine based micro-brews. Nappi’s wine division provides more selection than any other Maine distributor and includes such labels as Banfi, Kendall Jackson and Vineyard brands. Over the last 46 years, Nappi’s growth has been fueled by consolidations with Maine industry distribution leaders and continual facility modernizations.
In 1979, Nappi Distributors purchased York Bottling Company, at the time doubling the company’s territory and sales. That same year, Nappi became the first distributor in the state of Maine to build a climate-controlled warehouse for its beer and wine products. The next several years, Nappi continued to secure additional accounts and grow its territory. 1983 was a major product expansion year for Nappi as the distributor established its fine wine products division.
The next two decades were marked by tremendous growth for Nappi. In 1985, the company purchased Dirigo Distributors. Nappi added Pabst, Becks, Guinness and Bass beer brands. Nappi’s wine division expanded with the addition of labels such as Paul Masson and Blue Nun.
Then, in 2002, Nappi purchased Cumberland and York Distributors. At the time, the two companies shared a city block on Portland’s Presumpscot Street. What had been a friendly competition for the two Maine distributors over several decades concluded with the consolidation of the two companies into one major wholesaler, Nappi Distributors. Nappi then became one of the largest beer and wine distributors in the state of Maine. Nappi gained such popular brands as Coors Light, Old Milwaukee, and Schlitz.
In 2007, Nappi Distributors will move to its new $8 million facility at 615 Main Street in Gorham. The state-of-the-art, 155,000 sq. ft. climate controlled distribution warehouse will include a wine mezzanine picking system, truck drive-thru area for loading, fleet dock areas and a dunnage area for returns.
The distributor is the first major warehouse and transportation-oriented business to locate and operate within the Gorham transportation corridor. Nappi Distributors will be the third largest private employer in Gorham and the town’s fifth largest taxpayer.
|
|