Champion Brands Inc. CEO Earl Benton and General Manager Jacob Benton. (Photos by Dede Smith)
Champion Brands Inc. built a large meeting room and taproom-bar at its new headquarters.
The main hall at Champion Brands Inc.’s new headquarters.
Airstream Ventures CEO Alan Verlander, JAX Chamber President and CEO Daniel Davis and Champion Brands Inc. CEO Earl Benton.
Champion Brands Inc. General Manager Jacob Benton welcomes guests.
A wall mural in Champion Brands Inc.’s “Red Bull wing.”
About 100 people toured Champion Brands Inc.’s recently completed $7 million headquarters Thursday.
The beverage distributor built the 36,000-square-foot office building at 5520 Florida Mining Blvd. S., across the street from its former headquarters and its warehouse.
Champion Brands distributes craft, domestic and imported beer; Red Bull Energy Drinks; wine and spirits; water and more.
Well-known domestics include Miller Lite, Coors Lite, Pabst, Samuel Adams and Yuengling.
CEO Earl Benton told visitors and suppliers that the original company, Duval Beverage Distributors, had 49 employees and sales of $10 million, “and falling,” when he bought it in 1985.
Benton said he saw the city’s potential. Today it has 319 employees and expects sales exceeding $160 million this year.
“I always fall under the category of I’d rather be lucky than smart,” he said. “But I think hard work helps you be lucky. So, I think that’s where we are today.”
He credited the employees for the success.
“Anybody can build buildings, anybody can buy beer trucks,” or trailers and forklifts, he said. “Our employees are the backbone of this company. And we have a truly, truly good workforce.”
Benton predicts continued growth.
“In Jacksonville today, we’re probably in the best business environment that we’ve been in since I got here in 1985,” he said.
The area, including the 31 Georgia counties where Champion Brands distributes Red Bull, “has set itself up for growth for decades to come.”
Benton said his son, General Manager Jacob Benton, designed the elements of the headquarters.
Sauer Inc. built the structure, which includes rooftop solar panels, LED lighting, environmental controls for lights and air temperature and other sustainability elements.
In addition to offices, training room and a break room, the headquarters includes a large gathering room that can accommodate the entire staff; a large patio with a fire pit; beer taps and a bar that can serve the room and the patio; a fitness center accessible to the staff 24 hours a day; and other amenities.
“We’re proud of it,” said Benton, calling it a commitment to employees and their families.
