1941

• Founded by Charles F. Canning Sr.
• Located in rented garage on Pleasant St. in Augusta, Maine.

1952

• Opened Malt Beverage Division on Maple St. in Augusta, Maine.
• Distributed: Black Label Beer, Miller High Life and Schaeffer

1954

• Acquired Maine Central Bus Terminal on 8 Ellis Ave (current location of Maine Beverage and Pine State Trading Co.).

Late 1950's

• Poulin and Canning Distributors opened in Rumford, Maine.
• Vending Division created

1965

• Purchased Nagum & Son, Waterville, Maine.

1966

• Moved tobacco and candy operation from 147 Water St. to 8 Ellis Ave.

1971

• Opened Wine Division
• Built small addition to back of Tobacco warehouse

1974

• Built Beverage Warehouse at 8 Ellis Ave.

1976

• Purchased Elm City Tobacco, Winslow, Maine.

1982

• Purchased Yankee Wholesale, Wiscasset, Maine.

1984

• Purchased both Portland Cash and Carry, Portland, Maine and Foden Inc., South Portland, Maine.
• Built addition to Tobacco and Candy building
• Purchased both Ellis Auto and Fogg Transportation buildings in order to make space for additions.  

1985

• Purchased UDM, Lewiston, Maine.

1986

• Purchased Beverage Systems of Maine, Lewiston, Maine.

1987

• Purchased Cyr Brothers, Caribou, Maine.

1989

• Purchased Granite State Cash & Carry, Dover, New Hampshire.

2002

• Purchased Colonial Distributors, Waterville, Maine.

2003  

• Plan to build 166,000 sq. ft warehouse in Gardiner, Maine.
• New Beverage Division Home

2005

• Purchased Reed Confectionery, Bangor, Maine.
• Moved Milbury, Massachusetts Terminal to Webster, Massachusetts.

2007

• Purchased Christopher Wholesale Co., Madison, Maine.
• Purchased Tally Wholesale, Portland, Maine.
• Charles F. Canning Jr. retired

2008

• Began servicing Eastern New York State
• Purchased Athearn's Vending Company, Union, Maine.

2010

• Acquired the wholesale distribution business and equipment service for Green Mountain Coffee in the Northeast.
• Purchased Fred's Vending Company, Waterville, Maine
• Keith Canning becomes VP of Business Development

2011

• Pine State acquires a new building in Gardiner that becomes their new home in 2012

2012

• Pine State receives the Kennebec Valley Camber of Commerce's Business of the Year Award
• Nick Alberding becomes CEO of Pine State Trading Co.

"Pine State employees work extremely hard every day pursuing excellence in service to all of our customers." — Nick Alberding


With a proud nod to our past and a bright eye on our future, Pine State Trading Co. looks forward to continuing its legacy—smart, sustainable growth for our employees, our customers, our vendors and our community.