In response to Executive Order 2020-04, declaring a state of emergency across the state of Michigan concerning the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Great Lakes Wine & Spirits has taken the following action steps to ensure the safety of our employees and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with OSHA and CDC recommendations:

Implement Basic Infection Prevention Measures
  • Emphasizing basic infection prevention measures. Implement good hygiene and infection control including frequent and thorough hand- washing, encourage employees to stay home if sick, and respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes with tissue or sleeve
  • Employees to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (phones, computers, keyboards, desks, etc.).
  • Hands-free doors, trash cans, hand sanitization stations
  • Sanitize office, warehouse, and delivery vehicles between each shift
  • New café procedures including pre-packaged food, only handled by SERV Safe Provider.
  • Social Distancing and Hygiene Safety signs displayed in all facilities
Implement Workplace Controls
  • Any employee exhibiting symptoms must leave the facility immediately
  • Utilizing Telemedicine service for all employees
  • Sanitation kits in each delivery vehicle
  • Restructured and painted/marked zones in warehouse to (visually) ensure social distancing in warehouse workspaces
  • No out-state/country visitors allowed in building(s)
  • Flexible work schedules, staggered start times, work remotely if/when possible
  • Providing workers with up-to-date information on COVID-19 risk factors and protective behaviors
  • Daily discussions with union stewards and union leadership to address any issues ideas or best practices

For Michigan Coronavirus/COVID-19 information and updates go to https://www.michigan.gov/Coronavirus

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Training & Education

A long, long time ago, salespeople in the alcohol beverage business had to be affable, good listeners, and great joke-tellers. My how things have changed: in this data-driven world we live in today, knowledge is everything. This industry is much bigger than it used to be. And more competitive than it used to be. And much more fast-paced than it used to be.

With a full-time staff of several educators, our in-house training is on-going. We now have 88 salespeople and managers who hold Society of Wine Educators certifications in various categories as well as a couple of other certifications: Certified Educator of Wine (CWE), Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS), several certified Beer Servers (the first level of the Cicerone program) and even a Certified Sake Professional (CSP). Of course, we will happily share our knowledge with you and your staffs as you see fit: we have found once one has abundant knowledge, there is a desire to share it.

As a ‘consultative’ sales organization, it is our duty to:

  • Assure that our staff is sufficiently knowledgeable to help you grow your business (though we strive to be more than sufficient; we want to be the industry standard)
  • Help you educate your staff so they too are adequately informed and can help you help your customers. No distributor in Michigan does more education & training than Great Lakes Wine & Spirits.

Everyone has wine; we have all the rest too. Our goal is to help you grow your business.

 

Testimonials

“Great Lakes Wine & Spirits is one of our major suppliers of wine and spirits. We have the pleasure of working with the same sales managers we’ve been working with for over 30 years. The knowledge, selection, and service combined with our long-term relationship provides meaningful value to our business.”

Kameel Chamelly
CEO, Martha’s Vineyard Gourmet and Nantucket Baking Company

“Great Lakes Wine & Spirits and Plum Market have shared a symbiotic relationship for years. We rely on GLW&S to be our key supplier, and their range of products is unequalled. The leadership is outstanding and committed, and their level of service and attention to detail are excellent.”

Marc Jonna
Co-Founder, Plum Market

“An incredible portfolio that speaks for itself. But what really sets Great Lakes Wine & Spirits apart from other distributors is their customer service! The whole organization from top to bottom sets the standard on how it should be done.”

Patrick Pardington
Oakland Hills Country Club
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Latest News

Import Wine Tariffs

Those of us involved in the import wine business have endured a few months of agita this winter, which was reduced—but not eliminated—in February. In case some readers are not fully aware, here is the background: As a result of two separate trade spats between the U.S. and the E.U. …

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