In today's podcast you'll hear the audio version of our Wholesaler Financial Round Table meeting.

This month's topic is on financial analysis techniques and wholesaler financial benchmarks.

Summary of Key Points

• Financial analysis basics: How to focus on the most important numbers
• How to follow a financial month-end process to speed up production of the financial statements
• Standard set of reports and financial benchmarks

Resources

• Connect with RJ Martucci at PKF O'Connor Davies, RMartucci@pkfod.com
• Sign up for the FREE wholesaler financial newsletter

This podcast is all about how to reduce finished product loss (FPL) in your beer business.

Bud Dunn from VxP shares best practices, training ideas, and a cool software tool to help you significantly reduce out of code beer in your business.

• Step 1: Calculate how much FPL costs your business each year (probably around 10cents/CE)
• Step 2: Reach out to Bud to see how you can reduce your FPL to 2-3cents/CE
• Step 3: Enjoy the savings!

Summary

• Use VxP to grow volume, profit, and reduce finished product loss
• Common causes of finished product loss and how to avoid them
• Best practices to manage code dates on packages

Resources

• Connect with Bud from VxP and learn how to save $100K in your beer business this year, bud@vxptech.com
• Get the FREE wholesaler financial newsletter

Today on the podcast we hear from Dan Lust, Beverage Industry Consultant with Pints, LLC.

Dan and I review the top challenges facing the industry and share data analytics, business planning, and performance measurement tactics for distributors and breweries.

Summary

• Hot topics: Tariffs, pricing, and the importance of sales training
• Strategic growth planning tactics for breweries
• Tools to make data-driven decisions
• Keys to brewery-wholesaler business relationships

Resources

• Connect with Dan at Pints, LLC
• Get the FREE beer wholesaler financial newsletter

Today on the podcast we talk all-things truck leasing with Jenn King, Field Sales Manager from Penske.

The lease vs. buy question is a big one when it comes to your truck fleet.

Jenn gives us a high-level overview of how truck leasing works, what's included, and a tool to perform a cost analysis so you get the best scenario for your business.

Key Points

• Lease vs. own analysis tool - how to make the best financial decision for fleet management
• How to remove risk, increase uptime, and improve budgeting for fleet costs
• Intangible benefits of full service leasing: DOT inspections, warranty work, safety services, substitute vehicles, and licensing of the fleet

Resources

• Connect with Jenn King at Penske to learn more, Jennifer.king@penske.com
• Subscribe to the FREE beer business finance newsletter

In our beer wholesaler business we used a self-funded insurance plan to save millions of dollars over the cost of traditional fully funded health plan.

In today's podcast, Erin Butler of BevCap Management will show you how to do the same in your beer business.

Key Takeaways

• Wholesalers in the BevCap group save $640 per month, per employee compared to the average fully funded insurance premiums. This works out to a savings of $7,680 per year, per employee
• Example: Beer wholesaler A has 100 employees, saves $7,680 per employee = $768,000 savings...every year
• 65% of covered workers in the U.S. are in a self-funded plan
• Owners and CEOs take note: Managing your health insurance and achieving massive savings isn't just the job of HR, it's a leadership issue. Take the first step to learn more about captive insurance. Your income statement (and your employees) will thank you.

Resources

• Connect with Erin Butler to learn more about captive health insurance plans: ebutler@bevcapmanagement.com
• Get the free financial training newsletter from Beer Business Finance

Today on the podcast we hear from Bob Higgins of P3 Cost Analysts. Bob and his team specialize in identifying and reducing over-spending in your business.

We talk all things expense management, cost reduction strategies, and share ideas on how your wholesaler business can save money.

Highlights

• Bob's process for identifying and eliminating unnecessary expenses
• Biggest cost-saving opportunities that companies commonly overlook
• The most surprising savings P3 has been able to secure for clients
• Trends in business expenses today, and where breweries will need to focus their cost-saving efforts in the future

Resources

• Connect with Bob, bhiggins@costanalysts.com
• Get the free wholesaler financial training newsletter

Today on the podcast we hear from Dave Williams, the Analytics Czar from Bump Williams Consulting.

Dave provides a recap of 2024 beer industry data, trends, and insights. We also cover “Dave’s Top 7”. These are the hot topics that he's been hearing about recently in the beer business.

Key Points

• Growth in non-alcohol beer and ready-to-drink products
• On-premise results
• Health guidelines and the impact of tariffs
• Trends in cannabis and crossover brands

Resources

• Connect with Dave, dave@bumpwilliamsconsulting.com
• Sign up for the Beer Business Finance newsletter. Financial tips and tactics to build a stronger beer business, delivered straight to your inbox.

Today on the podcast we hear from Rebecca Maisel from Gulf Distributing. Rebecca is the Senior VP of Legal and Governmental Affairs and recently elected Chair of the National Beer Wholesalers Association.

Rebecca and I talk about how to become a world class beer wholesaler, her vision for wholesalers to adapt, grow, protect, and invest, and how to continue to innovate in the beer distribution space.

Topic Summary

• Key focus areas for beer wholesalers in legal and governmental affairs
• Best practices for portfolio management
• Operations and technology initiatives implemented at Gulf Distributing
• How to organize and streamline supplier contracts

Resources

• Connect with Rebecca, rmaisel@gulfdistributing.com
• Sign up for the free Beer Business Finance newsletter - Financial intel delivered straight to your email inbox