Company joins state leadership and industry partners in New York City to advocate for practical modernization, expanded market access and new opportunities for growth.
Waterloo Container Co. is reinforcing its commitment to New York's wine and craft beverage industries by taking an active role in the policy conversations that will help determine how producers reach consumers, enter new markets and grow in the years ahead.
Last month in New York City, Mark C. Pitifer, Marketing & Communications Administrator for Waterloo Container, was invited to participate as a panelist in A Modern Marketplace: The Future of Alcohol Policy in New York, joining New York State leadership, including Chelsea Davis, Secretary of Alcohol, Gaming and Cannabis, and other industry stakeholders for a high-level discussion about the future of the state’s beverage marketplace.
“For Waterloo Container, this conversation is about a simple but important priority: cutting red tape and helping our customers gain greater access to consumers, enter new markets and create new opportunities for growth,” said Mark C. Pitifer of Waterloo Container. “New York has an extraordinary wine and craft beverage community. We should be looking for practical, responsible ways to give those businesses more opportunities to compete and succeed.”
The discussion extended well beyond the often-debated issue of wine in grocery stores. Although that proposal was a centerpiece of the dialogue, the event brought policymakers and industry leaders together to consider what meaningful modernization could look like, where compromise may be possible, how different sectors can benefit, and how New York can update a regulatory structure whose foundations were established more than 90 years ago.
“The marketplace has changed, consumer expectations have changed, and the ways producers reach their customers continue to change,” Pitifer said. “The policies governing that marketplace have to be willing to evolve as well. Modernization should be thoughtful and balanced, but it should also recognize the realities facing businesses today.”
Waterloo Container's participation also highlighted the broader economic impact of the wine and craft beverage industries. Modernization and expanded market access have the potential to create hundreds of jobs across the broader beverage economy - from wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries to glass manufacturing, closures, cork, packaging, agriculture, transportation, distribution and retail. When producers grow, that growth ripples throughout the domestic supply chain and the communities it supports.
“New York wineries, craft beverage producers and retailers support an entire supply chain of domestic manufacturers, suppliers and businesses across the state and throughout the U.S.,” said Brian Brandstatter, President and CEO, Ardagh Glass Packaging-North America. “Expanding access to a broader range of products at grocery stores will create new growth opportunities throughout that supply chain. As a leading producer of glass bottles and jars made 100% in the U.S., Ardagh Glass Packaging is pleased to see Waterloo Container’s efforts in New York to support growth in this industry.”
Industry Partners Support Waterloo Container’s Advocacy
“At Vinventions/Nomacorc, we work closely with wineries across New York State to protect and elevate their wines, and we know firsthand that the health of local producers directly impacts the broader manufacturing and supply chain,” said Andre´s Belinsky, Chief Commercial Officer, Vinventions. “Modernizing New York’s alcohol laws to allow wine in grocery stores is a common-sense reform that will unlock essential market access for local wineries, expand consumer choice, and directly support upstate businesses and jobs. We applaud Waterloo Container for their leadership and proactive advocacy in championing policies that drive sustainable growth for the entire beverage community.”
“As a fellow small and medium-sized business, MA Silva Corks supports the sincere effort that Waterloo Container and its partners are making to ensure that the state’s local and domestic suppliers have the opportunity to shine,” said Nuno Silva, President of MA Silva. “New York has so much quality. It is time to take advantage of the opportunity for growth in the industry. We are glad to see Waterloo Container fighting for the growth of the industry.”
For nearly 50 years, Waterloo Container’s success has been directly connected to the success of the producers it serves. The company believes that connection makes it important to have a seat at the table when decisions affecting the future of its customers are being discussed.
“When our customers grow, introduce new products and reach new consumers, our entire industry benefits,” Pitifer said. “That is why Waterloo Container believes it is important to be in the room when these decisions are being discussed. We are not on the sidelines of this industry. We are part of the supply chain, and our future is tied directly to the future of the producers we serve.”
“Some form of modernization is coming, and Waterloo Container is proud to be part of the conversation,” Pitifer added. “We will continue advocating for practical policies that expand market access, encourage growth and create new opportunities for New York’s wine and craft beverage industries - and for the customers and communities that depend on their success.”
Product spotlight: Altus Bar Top.
With its tall hock-style shape and refined profile, Altus offers a distinctive presentation for wine, spirits, and specialty products, depending on size and finish. Waterloo Container offers Antique Green Bar Top options in 375 mL and 750 mL, with 375 mL versions also available in Flint and with a Stelvin® finish.
Ask our team about available sizes, finishes, and product applications: https://www.waterloocontainer.com/?s=ALTUS&post_type=product
Glass packaging takes more than one product or one service.
Waterloo Container supports customers with a wide range of bottles, closures, decoration options, warehousing, logistics, and hands-on service from a team that understands the needs of wine, beer, spirits, cider, food, and specialty producers.
Whether you’re planning inventory, choosing a bottle style, coordinating closures, or preparing for production, our team is here to help connect the pieces and keep your packaging program moving.
Sustainable packaging choices are rarely one-size-fits-all.
Through long-standing relationships with trusted vendor partners, Waterloo Container can help customers explore packaging options that align with their product needs, production process, and brand goals. Depending on the application, that may include lightweight glass options, alternative cork materials, recyclable closure choices, or other vendor-supported sustainability initiatives.
Our team is here to help customers understand what is available and what makes sense for their packaging program.
Read more about some of our partners and their sustainability initiatives: https://www.waterloocontainer.com/vendor-partners/
A smooth production schedule depends on more than the glass itself. It also depends on what happens behind the scenes.
Waterloo Container’s warehousing services help customers plan around forecasts and purchase orders, store stock ware on a limited basis, and coordinate distribution when product is needed. Our Fast Ship team also manages samples and smaller orders with the same attention to service as larger truckload orders.
From storage to staging to shipping, our team works to keep your glass moving.
Learn more: https://www.waterloocontainer.com/service/warehousing/
When supply and timing matter, dependable sourcing makes a difference.
Waterloo Container offers select American-made glass options for wineries, breweries, distilleries, and other beverage producers looking for quality, consistency, and reliable availability. From classic wine bottles to specialty glass, our team can help you find the right fit for your product and production needs.
Ask us about domestic glass options and in-stock availability.
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Your bottle is one of the first ways customers experience your brand.
Waterloo Container’s custom glass printing service helps beverage producers create a polished, eye-catching presentation with durable, high-quality results. Using advanced single-pass UV printing technology, our team can help bring your design to life with precision and consistency.
Looking for a way to make your packaging stand out? Ask us about custom glass printing.
At Waterloo Container, service goes beyond the products we stock.
From forecasting and freight to repacking, warehousing, and customization, our team works with customers to support the full packaging process. Every operation has different needs, and we take pride in helping producers find practical solutions that keep things moving.
Because strong packaging support starts long before the bottle reaches the line.
Your outer cartons can do more than protect your bottles.
Waterloo Container’s custom outer packaging options help producers add brand visibility to the boxes their products ship, store, and display in. From custom-printed display boxes to economical ink jet carton customization, our team can help you create a more polished, professional look for your finished product.
Options may include logos, brand messaging, date coding, barcoding, and more, depending on your project needs.
Learn more: https://www.waterloocontainer.com/service/getting-it-done-with-custom-packaging/
In today’s beverage market, packaging has to do more than hold your product.
From bottle selection and decoration to closures, cartons, and logistics, every detail plays a role in how your brand is presented and how smoothly your production process runs.
At Waterloo Container, we help beverage producers choose packaging solutions that support both presentation and performance.