J. J. Taylor Companies, Inc. was founded in 1958 by John J. “Joe” Taylor. The Company started as a Knickerbocker Beer distributor servicing the greater Brockton area of Massachusetts with two trucks and nine employees. Joe Taylor brought 20 years experience with Jacob Ruppert Brewing Co. of New York to Brockton, and his beer distributorship thrived. In 1973, the Company acquired an adjoining Knickerbocker distributor that also had the Miller Brewing Company franchise. The territory serviced by the Company grew to include all of Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. At about the same time Miller Brewing Company started an aggressive marketing campaign for Miller High Life and shortly thereafter Miller Lite was introduced becoming the most popular Lite beer in the country. On the strength of these two brands the Company grew dramatically and in 1978 the Company built a new warehouse in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. In 1980, with a 45 percent share of the business, sales were approaching 5 million cases. However, sales declined steadily from that point on and with a very limited portfolio it was difficult to compete in this highly fragmented and competitive market. This division was sold in 2002.