Bill’s Distributing was founded in 1954 by William “Bill” Giertz with help from his father Heinrich “Henry” Giertz, a German immigrant.  Bill actually started his career working as a driver-salesman for Brown & Tetzloff.  The first week, Bill drove three counties and sold his first 15 cases of Schmidt beer.  Bill still claims he drank 12 of those first 15 cases promoting his new business.  The warehouse was a 1,000 square foot garage.
 

In the 1960’s, Anheuser-Busch products were brought into the business.  This decision proved most helpful in supplying much needed volume and margin, resulting in expansion and ultimately a new 3,000 square foot facility.  That facility is now the home of Creative Ideas on 9th Street in Menomonie.
 

The late 1970’s saw the return of two of Bill’s sons to the family business.  Randy, who was returning from the military and Terry, concluded 10 years in sales with an upstart lumber company called Menards.  They teamed up to lead the new Bill’s Distributing, LTD.
 

The 1980’s marked the passing of the guard.  Bill retired from the company, leaving Terry and Randy, along with brother “Bob” to carry the torch.  Now selling and distributing some 50 brands of beer: including Anheuser-Busch and Adolph-Coors Brewing Company, the company was poised for another move.  A new 12,000 square foot warehouse facility would be located on the east side of the city in the Menomonie Industrial Park.
 

By the 1990’s, the Ellsworth Bottling Works was acquired and merged into the remodeled current warehouse.  The company’s brand portfolio grew to include importing giants Heineken, Barton Beers (Corona), LaBatt U.S.A., and Guinness Bass Import Company.  Additionally, regional specialty brands such as Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams), Rolling Rock, and Sprecher were added to compliment the specialty portfolio.
 

In 1995, the warehouse facility was expanded to 50,000 square feet, adding much needed floor capacity and new office space.  Also during this time Terry and Randy were voted Business People of the Year by the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce.
 

In 2000, a new segment of beverages called “malternatives” were added to Bill’s portfolio.  These new brands included Mike’s Hard Lemonade and its other flavors.  Smirnoff introduced their Twisted V flavors and A-B introduced their new partnership with the Bacardi brands.
 

In 2006, Bill’s purchased the Molson brands from Lehman & Larson Distributing.  In addition, the great Wisconsin brands from New Glarus Brewing were acquired from Beer Central Distributing.  Spotted Cow and Fat Squirrel now ride our trucks.  Both Lehman & Larson and Beer Central ceased operations.
 

In 2009, Bill’s expanded their craft and specialty brand portfolio by introducing other Wisconsin breweries, including Sand Creek Brewery, Viking Brewery and Central Waters Brewing Company.
 

Currently, our state-of-the art distribution center is in operation, beginning in March 2008.  Our 153,000 square foot facility has a 3 million case capacity and with the optional two additions in use, the facility could house up to 8 million cases.  In addition, we are proud to offer our customers more than 400 brands with well in excess of 1,100 different packages.
 

Our new distribution center sits on 22 acres, just north of exit 45 at 5900 Packer Drive, in Menomonie, WI.