Rocky Plains Brewing Ltd.
On April 21, Mike Pearson, packaging materials manager for Rocky Plains Brewery Ltd. (Rocky Plains), in Billings, Montana, received a call from Gerald Gilpin, owner and president of Gilpin Printing Inc (Gilpin), a local label supplier. Two days earlier Mike had notified Gerald that Rocky Plains was terminating the label contract with Gilpin as of May 30 and expected payment of a contractual rebate of $690,000. Gerald told Mike he refused to pay the rebate and demanded a $4.4 million wire transfer the next day in order to continue supply.
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ROCKY PLAINS BREWING LTD.
Rocky Plains was more than 100 years old and was one of the most recognized beer brands in the United States. The company had a reputation for producing products of exceptional quality, supported by high standards for raw materials, proven brewing methods, and rigorous production processes. After operating for more than 80 years as a family business, the company was presently owned by a large multinational brewery. The Billings facility brewed three to four million barrels of beer per year and employed approximately 500 people.