Our Company
In 1929, Maurice S. Walker, a Boston pharmacist and manufacturer and distributor of toiletries and personal care products, decided to expand his business into the area of flavorings, extracts and syrups for beverages. The company headquarters were on Wareham Street in Boston's South End. Business grew slowly, with coverage limited to the state of Massachusetts.
Incorporated in 1931 as M. S. Walker, Inc, the company expanded into the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages, after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. This became the company's core business and source of continued growth.
Throughout its long history, members of Maurice S. Walker's family have managed M.S. Walker. His son-in-law, Leo Allen, joined the company soon after its founding. His imagination and creativity began a tradition of innovative marketing that has continued with each succeeding generation. Through perseverance, salesmanship and hard work, the company has continued to grow, both within Massachusetts and in increasing numbers of other states.
The creative marketing approach and coordinated sales efforts that made M.S. Walker's own brands successful have also worked well for many national brands as well. Today the company's spirits portfolio has grown into one of the most comprehensive in Massachusetts, with representation of large and medium sized national brands, small specialty products and proprietary brands.
M. S. Walker became involved in the marketing and distribution of wines at the beginning of the "wine boom" of the 1960's. The company introduced its own brands of popular wine categories. The success of these brands eventually led to the expansion of the wine portfolio.
At first, growth was focused on small estates and emergent areas, with a stress on value. Through creative marketing and hard work, the company was able to achieve dynamic growth for several new brands that were later to be recognized as being among the most important in the industry. Today our wine portfolio is one of the most comprehensive and best respected in the United States.
The strength of both the wine and spirits portfolio has helped M. S. Walker to develop an extensive brokerage network throughout New England as well as strong relationships with top control state officials. The company is well positioned to successfully promote wine and spirit brands offering full support services.
In 1981 M.S. Walker inaugurated a new 100,000 square foot distribution and manufacturing facility in Somerville, Massachusetts. We have also made several acquisitions including the Overbrook EggNog Company of Maryland in 1985, Seacoast Distillers in 1986, Grapevine Distributors/ S.S. Pierce in 1991 and the Caldwell's brand in 1992.
In 2001 M.S. Walker purchased Global Horizon, a Rhode Island Distributorship known best for it’s fine wine portfolio. Immediate construction plans were set in place to expand the 9 acre facility including significant improvements in warehousing and distribution operations. Rapid growth of the portfolio ensued, making the organization one of the preeminent distributors in Rhode Island. In 2004/2005 Global Horizon was renamed M.S. Walker – Rhode Island and continues to enjoy significant growth in it’s market.
M.S. Walker's steady growth has placed us among the top three wholesalers in Massachusetts. Under the direction of third and fourth generation family members, the company is continually upgrading its portfolio, staff, facilities and management to position the company for future growth into the new century.
Harvey W. Allen
Harvey Allen serves as President and C.E.O. of M. S. Walker, Inc. Harvey, a third generation family member of the M. S. Walker Company, graduated from Babson College in 1961 and joined the company in 1962. Through the years, he has been an active participant in all phases of the beverage industry growth, serving as vice president of The Independent Whiskey Association for many years. He is a member of the Presidents’ Forum of the Beverage Alcohol Industry. In addition to his beverage industry background, Harvey has extended his leadership qualities to numerous community projects and charitable causes. He has been a chairman of the Beverage Division of the C. J. P., Boston Chairman of the Israel Bond Drive, and was one of the original founders of Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, MA. He was a recipient of the Ben Gurion Award from Ben Gurion University. He is currently a Hillside School trustee (Marlboro, MA), an active member of the Somerville Chamber of Commerce and has been a president of the Cobble Hill Industrial Park Association of Somerville, MA.
Scott Allen
Scott Allen serves as General Manager of M.S. Walker, Inc. He is responsible for all internal operations of the company. Scott is a fourth generation family member of the M.S. Walker Company who graduated with an undergraduate degree from River School in 1979. He graduated with a BA from Skidmore College in 1983 and joined M.S. Walker in 1983. Initially, Scott was interested in the Fine Wine and studied wine in Europe after graduation. After working closely with Doug Shaw for 6 years in the Fine Wine Division, Scott changed his focus to internal operations in 1990. Scott currently lives in Brookline with his wife Susie and 2 daughters Sydney and Phoebe.
Douglas Shaw
A native of Boston, Doug has been actively involved in the wine and food community for the past 25 years. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1977, Doug joined his family business, M. S. Walker, Inc., a leading wholesaler of fine wines and spirits. Doug spent a year in France embarking on an intensive study of the wine industry and visiting most of the great vineyard regions of Europe. Upon his return to Boston, he created and developed a fine wine wholesale operation, securing an extensive selection of premium wines from around the world catering to the fine restaurants and wine shops of New England. Doug serves on the Board of the Anthony Spinazzola Foundation, The Boston Guild of Oenophilists, and has served as a co-chairperson of the Anthony Spinazzola Gala. He also serves on several advisory boards for leading wineries and wine importers. His hobbies include cooking, tennis, golf, skiing, scuba diving, and traveling. Doug resides in Wayland with his wife, Andi, and three children, Lauren, Justin, and Stephanie.
Gary Shaw
In 1982, following a two-year tenure as Sales Manager for A Copy, Inc., Gary joined his family-owned business, M.S. Walker, Inc. (established in 1928). He was named Vice President, Control State Director in 1987. He served on the Control State Industry Steering Committee from 1988-2001. Gary is a 1979 graduate of the University of Massachusetts School of Management and Business Administration – B.B.A. in Finance. He and his wife Caryl have two children.
Michael Brody
Michael joined M.S. Walker, Inc. in 1975 as an entry-level Sales Representative. He has remained with Walker since that time and has gone on to become Vice President of Sales. Michael and Lisa have three children: Craig, Dana and Jessica. They are all members of Temple Beth Am of Framingham. Michael has been active for many years in the area as a coach for T.B.A. basketball, the Framingham United Soccer Club and Framingham Little League. Michael was elected President of New Hampshire College’s Alumni Association and has served on its Board of Trustees. He was presented with the college’s Distinguished Service Award in 1985. In 1993, Mass Pack recognized his contributions to the betterment of the liquor industry with a special award at its annual banquet. Mike has also been a Vice President and Membership Chairman of the Massachusetts WAABI chapter since 1992
