Because its store customers prefer to buy through distributors, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is selling its northeast region direct store-customer support to Pine State Trading Co. The transaction includes Green Mountain’s regional operations centers in Southington, CT; Biddeford, ME; Wilmington, MA; and Latham, NY, which Pine State will now operates.
Under the terms of the deal, Pine State Trading Co. will assume control of Green Mountain Coffee’s direct store distribution operations and support on Sept. 13. That means Pine State will handle sales representation, order management, delivery and equipment service of Green Mountain products to grocery and convenience store customers in the Northeast.
Why the change? “We’re hearing from customers in that region that they would prefer to work through a distributor,” says Green Mountain spokesperson Suzanne DuLong. Green Mountain already uses a distributor-based model throughout the rest of North America, she adds. The company will continue to provide direct support nationwide to consumers.
Pine State Trading Trading Co. distributes tobacco products, food, beverages and paper supplies to convenience stores throughout New England. The company handles more than 19,000 products through five distribution centers: two in Maine, and one each in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Green Mountain expects 121 employees will be affected by the transition to Pine State Trading. The majority of those workers will either continue employment with Green Mountain or be offered jobs with Pine State.