Columbia Distributing's Acquisition of Point Blank to Affect 177 Jobs in Oregon, Facilities in Bend and Eugene to Close
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A major consolidation in Oregon's beverage distribution landscape is set to displace 177 workers, according to a state WARN notice filed this week. The move follows the announced acquisition of craft-focused Point Blank Distributing by the larger, long-established Columbia Distributing.
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) indicates that all employees of Three Pirates, LLC, operating as Point Blank Distributing, will be separated from the company effective March 31. The filing came shortly after Columbia Distributing publicly revealed its intent to acquire its smaller rival, a deal expected to finalize in the coming months.
Point Blank, founded roughly 25 years ago, carved a niche distributing for dozens of regional craft brands like Stormbreaker Brewing and Tumalo Cider Co. Columbia, a behemoth founded in 1935, carries a vast portfolio including 2 Towns Ciderhouse and Crux Fermentation Project. Industry analysts see the acquisition as part of an ongoing trend where larger distributors absorb successful craft-focused operations to diversify their offerings and secure market share.
In a press release, Columbia President and CEO Chris Steffanci framed the deal as a "relationship-driven decision." He stated, "Point Blank has built something special by staying focused on craft, service, and trust. Our goal is to protect that success and strengthen it with long-term investment and infrastructure."
While Columbia promises a "seamless" transition for supplier and retail partners, with Point Blank to operate as a new craft division within the larger company, the human cost is significant. The WARN notice confirms the complete closure of Point Blank's Bend facility (26 employees) and Eugene facility (39 employees). Only the Portland headquarters on NE Argyle Street, which employs the majority of the staff, is slated to remain open. Columbia has indicated that some Point Blank employees may be offered roles, but specifics and numbers were not disclosed.
The consolidation raises questions about the future of personalized, craft-focused service in an increasingly consolidated market. For the affected workers in Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley, the notification begins a 60-day countdown to seek new employment in a specialized industry.
Community & Industry Reaction
Mark Jensen, a Bend-based tavern owner: "Point Blank's reps knew our business and our customers. They were partners, not just a delivery truck. I'm worried that level of service gets lost when a big corporation takes over, even if they promise otherwise."
Lisa Rodriguez, former Oregon Brewers Guild director: "This is the double-edged sword of success in craft brewing. As brands grow, they often need the scale of a distributor like Columbia. But we lose the dedicated, independent distributors who helped build these brands from the ground up. The impact on over 170 families is the immediate, painful consequence."
David K. Miller, economic analyst for Northwest Business Review: "This is a straightforward economies-of-scale play. Columbia gains a premium craft portfolio and eliminates a competitor. The promised 'craft division' is a common PR tactic to retain brand goodwill. The real story is in the WARN notice—job losses and reduced competition in the distribution tier."
Sarah Chen, a Point Blank sales associate in Eugene (who asked to use a pseudonym): "We got the news from the state filing before we heard it properly from our own leadership. They talk about 'protecting what makes us special,' but they're shuttering our warehouse and letting our team go. It feels hollow. The 'craft' spirit they're buying seems to stop at the balance sheet."
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