Growing, while holding onto hometown roots

5TH PLACE 
CEO (or equivalent):  Mark Hellendrung, president and CEO 2013 REVENUE: $9.05 million 2011 REVENUE: $6.275 million REVENUE GROWTH: 44%
5TH PLACE CEO (or equivalent): Mark Hellendrung, president and CEO 2013 REVENUE: $9.05 million 2011 REVENUE: $6.275 million REVENUE GROWTH: 44%

Providence-based Narragansett Brewing Co. has been around for more than 125 years, yet continues to grow.
President and CEO Mark Hellendrung said the company has seen double-digit growth since his group purchased it in 2005. Narragansett’s three-year revenue growth between 2010 and 2013 was 44 percent, nearly $2.8 million. Last year, the state’s oldest beer maker brought in $9.1 million, compared with $6.3 in 2010. Hellendrung said that kind of growth can be sustained, as evidenced by the more than 50 percent revenue increase during the first seven months of 2014.
“Growth has been driven by continued success in Rhode Island and throughout New England, introduction into new markets like New York City and Philadelphia, as well as our expansion into the craft segment,” he said.
“Everything we try to do with Narragansett is grounded in delivering contemporary products through a local, historical lens,” he said. “For example, beer drinkers have fallen in love with our Hi Neighbor Mash-Ups,” he said, along with other Rhode Island favorites, creating beers bursting with home-state pride, such as the Autocrat Coffee Milk Stout – blending Narragansett’s milk stout with Autocrat Coffee – and Del’s Shandy, combining Narragansett Lager with concentrate from Del’s Lemonade.
Narragansett is the largest of the 13 breweries in the Ocean State, according to the Brewers Association. However, its product is primarily brewed on contract in Rochester, N.Y. Hellendrung said a major goal is returning operations to Providence, perhaps as a partnership with Isle Brewers Guild or other groups. Earlier this year, Isle Brewers Guild LLC announced plans to build an $8 million contract brewery in the city’s Valley neighborhood.

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