Significant Pepin Milestones

1967

  • Art Pepin is awarded the Tampa Marketplace.

1978

  • Anheuser-Busch introduces Michelob Light Beer.

1979

  • Pepin Distributing Company wins Dimensions of Excellence Bronze Award.

1980

  • Pepin Distributing Company opens new 84,000 square foot warehouse on 54th Street.

1981

  • Pepin Distributing Company is awarded Dimension of Excellence Silver Award.

1982

  • Tom Pepin (Thomas Pepin) becomes President and CEO and Art Pepin becomes Chairman of the Board.

  • Budweiser Light and Eagle Snacks are introduced by Anheuser-Busch.

  • Pepin Distributing Company employs 141 employees.

1983

  • Pepin Distributing Company wins Gold Dimensions of Excellence Award.

  • Teamsters petition for unionization but was defeated.

1985

  • Pepin Distributing Company wins Ambassador Dimensions of Excellence award and maintains this stature throughout the life of the program.

1986

  • Art Pepin becomes the world's oldest heart transplant recipient.

  • Pepin Distributing Company employs 164 employees.

1987

  • Sales top 5 million cases.

1990

  • Pepin Distributing Company is named Anheuser-Busch Wholesaler of the Year.

1994

  • Pepin Distributing Company sales surpass 6 million cases.

1995

  • Anheuser-Busch discontinues the Eagle Snacks division.

1996

  • Pepin Distributing Company acquires Ybor Gold Brewery Brands.

1999

  • Tom Pepin (Thomas Pepin) names Bob Ammon, Glenn Arose, Randy Garcia, Bill Gieseking and Jim Hackman as directors.

  • Sales exceed 7 million cases.

  • Pepin Distributing Company relinquishes the distribution rights of Ybor Gold Brewery Brands.

2001

  • Pepin Distributing Company acquires distribution rights to the Modelo Brewery products, which includes Corona Extra and Corona Light.

  • Case sales top 8 million cases.

  • Anheuser-Busch introduces Bacardi Silver.

2002

  • Anheuser-Busch introduces Michelob Ultra.

  • Pepin Distributing Company ranks 32 among Tampa Bays Top 100 Companies as reported by the Business Journal of Tampa Bay.

  • Wayne Metziere is named a director.

  • The company announces plans to relocate and build a new 241,000 square foot facility.

  • Pepin Distributing Company employs 251 employees.

2003

  • Anheuser-Busch introduces Bacardi Silver.

2004

  • Pepin Distributing Company employs 275 people.

  • Construction begins on the Pepin Heart Hospital at UCH.

  • Budweiser Select is introduced (November).

  • Responsibility Matters campaign is launched.

  • Anheuser-Busch introduces Bacardi Silver Limon and Low Carb Black Cherry.

2005

  • Pepin Distributing Company moves into its new facility on 50th St. and MLK Blvd.

  • Pepin Heart Hospital opens.

  • Michelob ULTRA Amber is introduced (February).

  • Construction begins on TPepin's Hospitality Centre.

  • Pepin Distributing hits 10 million case mark at the end of the year.

2006

  • Anheuser-Busch becomes the importer of Grolsch and Tiger beers.

  • Anheuser-Busch begins to distribute its first ever liquor beverage, Jekyll and Hyde

2007

  • Anheuser-Busch partners with InBev.

  • Budweiser and Bud Light Clamato Chelada are introduced.

  • Pepin Distributing Company partners with Gasparilla to be the official sponsor for the next 3 years.

  • TPepin's Hospitality Centre opens (April).

  • Tom Pepin (Thomas Pepin) names Randy Garcia Vice President.

  • Total number of brands distributed by Pepin Distributing Company grows to 73 brands.

  • Anheuser-Busch introduces Land Shark for the Florida market.

  • Anheuser-Busch's Jacksonville Brewery introduces Tarpon Spoon specially for the state of Florida.

2008

  • Pepin acquires the distribution rights for the portfolio of brands from InBev which include Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Leffe, Bass, Beck's and Boddington's.

  • Anheuser-Busch merges with InBev to create the world's largest producer of beer.

  • Pepin Distributing Company diversifies the product portfolio by adding the products from Nestle (Nesquik flavored milk, Juicy Juice, San Pellegrino, Aqua Panna, Perrier and Zephyrhills Spring Water), Twist Water, Active Water and Vidration.

  • Anheuser-Busch InBev introduces Bud Light Lime and Shock Top Wheat

  • Pepin Distributing Company obtains the distribution rights for the brands from Gordon Biersch Brewing Company, Florida Beer Company and U.S. Beverage

  • J Paul Pepin rejoins the management team

2009

  • Pepin Distributing Company continues to diversify their product portfolio by obtaining the distribution rights with craft brewers that included:

    • Magic Hat

    • Blue Point Brewing Company

    • Victory Brewing Company

    • Green Mountain Brewing

    • Drink Four

    • Margaritaville Paradise Teas

2010

  • Pepin Distributing Company obtains distribution rights for the brands from: 

    • Southern Tier Brewing Company

    • Polar Beer

    • Genesee Beer

    • Boylan Bottling Company - Vintage Soda Pop

  • Tom Pepin (Thomas Pepin) is named the Health Care Philanthropist of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal

2011

  • January, Pepin Distributing company partners with Cold Storage Brewing, Tampa’s second craft brewery.  Brands include Florida Ave Ale, IPA and Blue berry.
  • January,  Pepin Distributing expands the portfolio of brands to include DNA energy drinks and DNA beef jerky and meat sticks products.
  • April, continuing to expand into the craft beer market, Cisco Brewers joins the Pepin Distributing team.  Brands include Grey lady Ale and White Tail Pale Ale.
  • April, consumers who are seeking products that have relaxation ingredients can now Enjoy Marley’s Mellow Mood Teas and Sodas.
  • May, Pepin Distributing aggressively expands the craft and non alcohol portfolio of products to include Krombacher USA, Arizona Teas, Mountain Valley Sparkling Spring Water, Dads Root Beers and Cream sodas, and Capitol Brewing brands.
  • June, Pepin Distributing enters into the Spirits business with Dos Lunas Tequilla.  There are three brands, Dos Lunas Silver, Dos Lunas Reposado, and Dos Lunas Anejo tequilas.