The sale of Golden Eagle Distributors has a silver lining for the 50 workers who faced the possibility of layoffs. Instead of walking papers, which they expected, most have been rehired by Hensley Beverage Company, which recently purchased Golden Eagle.
“It’s really refreshing and no pun intended, this is a beer distributor,” said Carol Curtis of the Coconino Career Center. “We don’t always see that happen.”
She said that many times in similar situations, the new owners fire the people with the most experience, who make the most money and replace them with someone just out of college at a much lower rate.
Recognizing the expertise of the staff is a “smart move” for the new employer, she said. “Those folks are an asset.”
She predicts Hensley’s actions will go far in stability of its own organization and as an economic engine in the community.
Doug Yonko, vice president of communication for Hensley, says the company has enjoyed the benefit of growing over the years in conjunction with the growth in Arizona.
“We are always looking for opportunities to pursue growth if it makes sense for our business and the acquisition of Golden Eagle fits this description.”
Yonko notes that it was important to take care of the employees who worked at Golden Eagle. In fact, he said their employees are the greatest asset.
“All of our employees are important to us and those in Flagstaff are no exception,” he said. “Part of our responsibility is to create opportunities for each of our employees to maximize their potential and achieve their personal goals.”
This results in an organization that will allow employees to use their particular skill sets, which serves themselves and the company, he says.
It is too soon to determine whether the new employees will retain their former positions.
“It is our goal with all of our employees to put them in positions where they can maximize their skills and their opportunity for success,” said Yonko. “In some cases this will result in people doing similar functions as before, but not necessarily for everyone.”
Julie Pastrick, president and CEO of the greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, is happy about this “win-win,” situation for the Golden Eagle employees, the Flagstaff community and for Hensley itself.
“This is beyond luck. It is a well thought out business model,” she said. “It is about a sustainable business doing very well under a new name.”
Pastrick says she sees businesses fail every month and it is refreshing to see a sale handled this way.
She says the sale had been considered for some time and both Hensley and Golden Eagle were concerned about the community and the employees.
“They really care about their image and how they can contribute to the community. They have always had the culture of giving back, and Hensley is 60,” she said. “If they had not, they would have not been around for so long.”
Yonko said the opportunity to purchase Golden Eagle was a “generational one.”
Golden Eagle Distributors was founded in 1946 by Ralph and Jean Sheppard and became a three-generation, family-owned business. It sold its business to Hensley earlier this year.
“It’s time to move on and enjoy the fruits of our labor, and we’re doing this by selling to another family-owned Arizona business,” said Ginny Clements, chair of the Golden Eagle board of directors.
Phoenix based Hensley was founded in 1955 by Jim Hensley with the purpose of bringing ice cold beer to the people of Phoenix.
Patty McCormac, FBN