Southern Glazer’s Creates Gold Division, Taps Anheuser-Busch Executive as Leader
Event summary
- Southern Glazer’s launches a new Gold Division, effective October 5, 2026.
- Glendal Vandenbempt, former Anheuser-Busch executive, named Managing Director of the division.
- Vandenbempt will oversee Anheuser-Busch portfolio in 19 U.S. markets, including New York and Colorado.
- He reports to Mark Chaplin, President of Commercial Sales.
The big picture
Southern Glazer’s creation of the Gold Division underscores its focus on strategic partnerships, particularly with Anheuser-Busch. The move comes as beverage distributors increasingly consolidate to gain market share and operational efficiency. With Vandenbempt’s background in digital transformation and commercial strategy, the division could become a test case for how technology enhances beverage distribution.
What we're watching
- Partnership Strength
- How Vandenbempt’s deep Anheuser-Busch experience will impact the Gold Division’s performance.
- Market Expansion
- Whether the Gold Division can drive growth in key markets like New York and Colorado.
- Digital Transformation
- The pace at which Vandenbempt implements digital initiatives across the division.