On Labor Day, Beer Industry Recognizes Economic Contributions of Its Work Force
For Immediate Release – August 31, 2012
Contacts: Beer Institute – Zach Lowe, 202 777 3529
NBWA – Kelly Krammes, kkrammes@nbwa.org, 703-683-4300
ON LABOR DAY, BEER INDUSTRY RECOGNIZES ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF ITS WORK FORCE
WASHINGTON – In conjunction with Labor Day, the Beer Institute (BI) and National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) are recognizing the 1.8 million hardworking men and women of the beer industry and their contributions to the national, state and local economies. Altogether, the Americans directly employed by the beer industry generate more than $88 billion in economic output, according to economic analysis fromBeerServesAmerica.org.
More than 41,000 Americans work for the nation’s large and small breweries and importers, taking home nearly $4.2 billion a year in salaries and wages along with worker benefits. More than 98,000 men and women are employed by America’s independent beer distributors, earning $7.4 billion each year in pay and benefits.
“Labor Day is a great opportunity to recognize the tens of thousands of Americans employed by brewers and importers whose hard work makes such a positive impact on both their local, and the national economy,” said Joe McClain, president of the BI. “The beer industry is an engine of the economy – creating jobs from farmers to factory hands, bartenders to brewery workers. Putting that beer into a glass for the beer drinkers puts a lot of Americans to work.”
“Thanks to the 98,000 men and women in the beer distribution industry – who drive the beer trucks in local communities, fill the beer coolers at corner stores, and deliver new tap handles to neighborhood pubs – American consumers can choose from 13,000 labels of beer including familiar domestic brands, intriguing imports and exciting new craft beers,” added Craig Purser, NBWA President and CEO. “The men and women in the beer distribution industry are a main reason why the U.S. has a system that works well for everyone – brewers, importers, distributors, retailers and especially the consumer.”
The U.S. beer industry includes:
· More than 2,100 brewing related establishments and importers
· More than 3,300 distributor establishments
· More than 547,000 licensed retailer outlets
This year, early numbers point at increasing buoyancy in beer sales, which is a hopeful sign for job growth in brewing and distributing as well as in the many industries which are linked to beer: retailing, farming, manufacturing, transportation, construction and others. The beer industry generated more than $223 billion in economic activity in the last economic analysis conducted for the Beer Institute and the NBWA.
The dedicated men and women of the beer industry are also active and responsible members of the communities in which they live and work. In the past three decades the beer industry and its workforce has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in alcohol awareness and education programs designed to promote responsibility and help prevent underage drinking and drunk driving.
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