2026 ELEVATE: A People-First Crisis Response: How New Belgium Built Resilience Through Disruption

When Hurricane Helene struck Asheville on September 27, 2024, it didn't just flood New Belgium brewery with up to six feet of water; it severed power, water, and over 400 transit routes, slashing New Belgium’s network capacity by 25%.

To bridge the massive supply gap, Tom O’Connell, New Belgium’s Chief Supply Chain Officer, spearheaded a crisis resilience strategy that prioritized coworker safety with speedy operational pivots. From streamlining the company’s SKUs to mobilizing a multi-site response, the New Belgium team demonstrated how "Human Powered Business" isn't just a tagline - it's how New Belgium continues to deliver on its promise of world-class beer and business.
 
From Fort Collins to New Belgium’s broader network, coworkers rallied to absorb production shifts, rebalance distribution, and keep beer flowing while Asheville recovered. The sixth-month recovery is a blueprint for how an agile leadership team, a strong distribution network, and a people-first philosophy can transform a catastrophic disaster into a foundation for long-term operational resilience.

Download the session slides here.