Company

Our Vision

An indispensable source of mainstream and niche products that provide our customers what their customers demand.

Our Mission

We will serve our customers on a first name basis, as trusted business partners, keeping their best interests in mind; and faithfully provide prompt, reliable service via products that grow their business today and into the future.

The Story of Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing

First Generation
Louis Shanker and his wife Sarah came to the United States separately from Russia and Poland before World War I. They did not speak English and had very little money. Sarah was 15 when she arrived in America, the youngest of seven children. All her siblings, as well as her parents, were later killed in a Nazi concentration camp. Louis and Sarah got married, and settled in Cleveland, Ohio. Louis worked as a carpenter. After the repeal of Prohibition, they moved to Lansing and Louis started distributing Buckeye Beer. He picked up his load each day (delivered by rail from Toledo) and sold every case he received.

Louis left the beer business when his cousin, Morris Weinstein, told him about a Lansing bottling company that went bust during The Great Depression. Morris (who owned M&S Beverages in Flint) persuaded Louis to loan him money for the final payment on the bankrupt business. With that loan, they became partners. The defunct company was called Hire-Klas. To save money, Louis decided to strike the “RE” out, naming the new company and product Hi-Klas. Louis worked with his cousin (and Samuel Buckler) to develop and manufacture a quality line of flavored sodas. A small building was rented on Maple Street (near Cedar Street School) in north Lansing. The year was 1933. A few years later, Louis moved the company to a building on South Cedar Street (next to his home) and added a new bottling line. The Shanker legacy was on its way.

Second Generation
Jack Shanker, Louis’ first-born son, started working at the bottling company during high school. After graduating from Lansing Eastern High School, Jack had hoped to attend college. But the demands of the growing business forced him to work full-time. After marrying Ida Shapiro of Owosso, Jack was drafted into World War II. He was 26 years old with a young son (Larry) at home. Jack fought on the Allied front lines in France and Germany for more than two years. During this time, Ida assisted Louis and Sarah by running the front office.

In 1939, Louis discovered Dr. Pepper on a trip out west. However, World War II and shortages stopped his plans for securing a Dr. Pepper franchise. But he did not give up. After the war, Louis was able to purchase the franchise bottling rights for Dr. Pepper. By 1948, they were selling almost 100,000 cases annually. Then in 1952, the company was approached by Canada Dry to purchase territory rights in four counties. The only stipulation was they had to drop the Dr. Pepper brand. The company changed its name to Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing.

Louis died in 1980. Jack continued in the business until his retirement in 1986. He served as secretary/treasurer and vice-president of the Michigan Soft Drink Association in the 1960s and 70s.

Third Generation
After graduating from East Lansing High School and Michigan State University, Larry Shanker (Jack’s son) joined the company full-time in 1965. His sales route consisted of West Lansing, Brooklyn and the Clark Lake area. In October 1969, the company faced a major challenge – the nationwide ban of the artificial sweetener Cyclamate. (Evidence later failed to implicate Cyclamate as a carcinogen in laboratory mice). After this setback, CDBL looked for a true “sugar free” beverage and found the original No-Cal in New York. The company had great success with No-Cal for many years, but eventually all the major bottlers (including Faygo) developed sugar-free beverages.

Fourth Generation
After working seven years for the Leo Burnett Advertising Agency in Chicago, Randy Shanker returned home in 1997 to lead Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing. A graduate of Indiana University, he joined the company a few years prior to the 65th anniversary, and directed the company during its 75th anniversary. Due to his continued leadership, sales have nearly tripled in the last decade.

Fifth Generation
Three Shanker great-great-grandchildren are living in the Greater Lansing area: Julia, Lila and Charlie. Perhaps, someday a fifth generation of the Shanker Family will lead the business.

"Maybe the next generation will come in," grinned

Shanker, "but I want my son to be President of

the United States ..."

Randy Shanker

The Greater Lansing Business Monthly

January 2005

Milestones

1933	Russian immigrant Louis Shanker and his cousin Morris Weinstein purchase assets of Hire-Klas Bottling Co. Name changed to Hi-Klas Beverage Co.
Photo courtesy of the Matthew Gardziella collection
1936	Louis’ son, Jack Shanker, joins the company full-time after graduating from high school.
1938	Company moves bottling facility to 2401 S. Cedar Street in south Lansing.
1939	Louis Shanker discovers Dr. Pepper brand on a trip out West. But World War II stops his plans to acquire a Dr. Pepper franchise.
1946	Hi-Klas Beverages finally acquires rights to bottle Dr. Pepper; sales eventually reach almost 100,000 cases annually.
1948	Jack Shanker re-joins company after serving in World War II.
1949	Jack Shanker becomes president of the company, providing second generation of leadership.
1952	Company “trades” Dr. Pepper brand for rights to bottle Canada Dry beverages. Named changed to Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing.
1965	After graduating from Michigan State University, Larry Shanker (Jack’s son) joins Canada Dry Bottling Co. full-time.
Larry with Miss World Lynda Carter at trade show
1969	Cyclamate, an artificial sweetener found in diet soft drinks, is banned in United States. Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing produces No-Cal, first sugar-free product without cyclamate sold in Michigan.
1970's	8,000 independent beverage distributors operate nationwide; more than 100 independent beverage distributors in Michigan.
1978	Sales operations consisted of three route trucks, one semi-tractor trailer, two sales reps, and one manager.
1979	Michigan legislature enacts Bottle Deposit Law.
1980	Faygo Beverages of Detroit added to brand portfolio.
1983	Bottling operations have ceased. Company moves operations to 5500 Pierson Highway in Delta Township.
1986	Jack Shanker “officially” retires after 50 years in the soda business. During his tenure, CDBL bottled and/or distributed the following flavors: Hi-Klas Cherry Strawberry, Hi-Klas Orange, Hi-Klas Slender, Hi-Klas Sparkling Water, Bubble-Up, Dad’s Root Beer, Double Cola, Frostie Root Beer, Hubba Bubba, No-Cal Cola, No-Cal Shape-Up, and WINK to name a few. Larry Shanker becomes president of the company that year, providing third-generation of leadership.
1993	Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing named “Distributor-of-the Year” by Faygo Beverages
1997	Randy Shanker leaves Leo Burnett Advertising Agency in Chicago and officially joins Canada Dry Bottling Co.
1998	Company celebrates 65th anniversary. Distribution operations consists of 31 full-time employees, 20 brands, and 200 products. Randy Shanker named vice president of the company, providing fourth-generation of leadership.
1999	Less than 250 independent beverage distributors operate nationwide; only about a dozen left in Michigan.
2001	Distribution warehouse moves down the road to new facility at 5206 Pierson Highway.
2004	Canada Dry Bottling Co. of Lansing named Michigan “Distributor-of-the-Year” by Jones Soda Co. of Seattle, Wash.
2008	Company celebrates 75th anniversary. Snack foods made by Mike-Sells and On The Border added to brand portfolio. CDBL and 32 full-time employees sell and deliver more than 500 products (50 brands) to 1,000+ customers in nine counties. Small Business Association of Michigan "Communication Transformation" finalist.
2009	Delta Charter Township Business Partnership of the Year nominee.
2010	Delta Charter Township Business Partnership of the Year nominee.