#USA #Charlotte #Next Glass #Ekos #Craft Beverage

Next Glass Acquires Ekos: A Strategic Move in Craft Beverage Management

Next Glass, a premier software and technology provider for the beverage alcohol sector, has made a significant stride by acquiring Ekos, the leading supply chain management software tailored for craft beverage producers. This acquisition was announced on October 27, 2025, and marks a considerable step for Next Glass in solidifying its position within the craft beverage industry.

A Comprehensive Solution for Craft Producers

Ekos offers a robust software suite designed to streamline every aspect of production for craft breweries, distilleries, cideries, wineries, and cannabis beverage manufacturers. With its advanced capabilities, Ekos enables producers to manage inventory efficiently, oversee production seamlessly, and bolster sales initiatives. These features contribute to reduced operational costs and improved scalability—which are essential for growing businesses within the beverage landscape.

In alignment with the acquisition, Next Glass has extended an immediate two-year price freeze to all existing Ekos customers, reflecting their commitment to providing value and stability amidst ongoing inflationary pressures that have impacted the market over recent years.

Leadership Insights

Trace Smith, CEO of Next Glass, expressed excitement about integrating Ekos's top-notch software into their operational ecosystem. He remarked, "We have long admired Ekos as the market leader in craft beverage supply chain management software. This acquisition helps us in our vision of creating seamless connections among beverage producers, retailers, and consumers on a global scale."

Dustin Jeffers, the VP of Brewery Product Experience at Next Glass, who also has firsthand experience using Ekos as a former brewer, emphasized the advantages of combining Ekos's functionality with Next Glass's existing Ollie platform, which currently supports nearly 600 craft beverage producers.

Collaboration for Future Growth

Matt Downing, VP of Product at Ekos, shared the excitement from both teams, stating that their combined expertise—totaling over 180 years in the beverage industry—will drive further innovations in B2B ordering, supply chain optimization, and payment solutions tailored for craft producers. The acquisition paves the way for enhanced customer experience through integrated services that simplify the management of operations.

Ekos, founded in 2014, has excelled in automating workflows traditionally reliant on manual methods like spreadsheets and clipboards. With more than 1,200 active beverage producers utilizing its software, Ekos has rightfully earned its status as the industry's go-to solution for effective operational management.

Kent Rowe, CEO of Ekos, expressed optimism about the acquisition, pointing out that Next Glass's industry expertise and innovation-friendly ethos make it an ideal partner for accelerating their mission and vision in the craft beverage sector.

Integrative Technologies on the Horizon

Next Glass's strategic plan includes the integration of ordering platforms from their Ollie Order service and the Ekos Order Hub. An exciting prospect on the roadmap is the connection with Untappd for Business, software that assists nearly 15,000 venues in managing beverage and food menus seamlessly. This will enable frictionless B2B alcohol ordering and streamline payment experiences within a single enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution.

Conclusion

The acquisition of Ekos by Next Glass symbolizes a promising trajectory for growth in the craft beverage industry, emphasizing operational efficiency and customer experience enhancement. As both companies merge their expertise and technology, stakeholders, producers, and consumers can anticipate an enriched landscape in craft beverage production and management.

With Next Glass's commitment to innovation and the unwavering support for Ekos's existing client base through price stabilization, the future looks bright for the craft beverage sector as they navigate the complex dynamics of the market together.