MGP Maintains Focus on Product Innovations as New Year Begins

10 Jan 2014 --- As MGP embarks on a new year, the company remains firmly committed to strengthening its role and presence in the beverage alcohol industry as an innovative producer of world-class bourbons and whiskeys, as well as distilled gins and grain neutral spirits (GNS).

MGP’s Lawrenceburg, Ind. facility, which was purchased in December 2011, is an integral component in fulfilling this commitment. Combined with production capabilities at MGP’s Atchison, Kan. distillery, the Lawrenceburg plant has positioned the company as a leading independent supplier to both large and small branded spirits customers. MGP also produces high quality food grade industrial alcohol, and is the leading U.S. manufacturer of wheat proteins and starches, which have applications in a wide range of food products.

“In each of the markets we serve, we are dedicated to consistently providing the best possible products and service to all of our customers,” said David Dykstra, vice president of alcohol sales. “As such, we are continuously implementing ways throughout the company to improve our operational methods and techniques while simultaneously researching and developing new product innovations. The latter includes the recent and ongoing development of a several new distillery product offerings.”

As Dykstra noted, the company last spring announced the development of six additional mash bills for the production of new rye, malt and wheat whiskeys, as well as new bourbons, at the Lawrenceburg facility. MGP has also continued to develop several new wood and other flavor treatments, and this past fall added GNS distilled from wheat to its growing lines of premium alcohol products.

“MGP has built, and continues to build, a solid base of loyal customers due largely to our reputation as a reliable, innovative and long-established supplier,” said Randy Schrick, interim co-chief executive officer. Schrick, who has logged over 40 years with the company, is one of MGP’s two highly accomplished master distillers. The other is Greg Metze, whose 35-year career has been spent at the Lawrenceburg facility, where the production of new bourbon and whiskey distillates has more than doubled under MGP’s ownership. To further accommodate customer partners through strengthened product development and service capabilities, MGP has created a new distilled spirits innovation center at the Lawrenceburg facility.

“We view our role with customers as being one of providing increasing expertise and support as their agent of innovation,” Dykstra said. “Our future is not just about supplying premium distilled spirits. We must go beyond that and be highly engaged in the development phase at the consumer product level. Our new innovation center represents a big step in fortifying our ability to help customers drive growth of their distinct brands.”