Ambros Inc.
“Generations Serving Oceania”
75 years of accomplishments and dedication

It was 75 years ago on Aug. 30, 1949, when the late Ambrosio Torres Shimizu founded Ambros Inc., alongside partners Vance O. Smith and Vicente Palomo. Having started the company selling military surplus products out of a tin shack, their tenacity proved key to becoming the exclusive Anheuser-Busch wholesaler, beginning with a first shipment of just 500 cases of Budweiser.

In 1973, Ambrosio Shimizu would buy out his partners, and sons Frank and Joseph would take over the company’s operations. Ambrosio's youngest son, Paul, joined the business in 1980.

Through the years Ambros established two divisions, Beverage & Tobacco/Liquor Division, and the Consumer/Professional Division; adding many new products and categories to its distributorship lines, from fine wines and liquors, including Bacardi Rum, Grey Goose Vodka, Patron Tequila, Wente Wines, Justin Wines, Kirin Beer, Cuvaison Estate Wines and Michael David Wines, to everyday household products like Kotex, Huggies, Raid, Windex, Ziploc, and professional lines from Kimberly-Clark, SureWerx, PPE & Safety, and more.

The company expanded through founding Marianas Pacific Distributors in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. The company then began distribution throughout the Federated States of Micronesia to include Yap, Pohnpei and Chuuk; and later started operations in Palau. The latter would become Shimbros International in Malakal, Koror. In 2014, the company branched out further across the Pacific, creating South Pacific Distributors, Inc. in Pago Pago, American Samoa; a move that allowed Ambros to proudly update its long-time branding of service in Micronesia to now include Polynesia – “Generations Serving Oceania.”

Many cases of beers and fine liquors later, along with several dozen new products added to its inventory, and now with four generations of Shimizus having worked with the team, Ambros Inc. remains one of the top companies in Guam and wider Pacific region.

With 75 years of experience, awards, and expansion under its belt, some might wonder what’s next for Ambros Inc.

Thomas G. Shimizu, a member of the third generation of the Shimizu family and General Manager of the company since 1995, says the focus doesn’t change. Growth and diversification remain key as the company eyes not only new territory, but also new products and suppliers, while also expanding existing supplier portfolios. It’s this bullish attitude that has been practiced, and through experience and on-the-job training, taught to each new generation.

Shimizu says the current third generation “learned by doing; working in almost every department in the company including the warehouse, delivery, sales, promotions, and running a (company) branch.” Shimizu had previously shared with Guam Business Magazine that he got his start washing trucks as a teenager, getting paid in all-you-can-eat lunches. Like others in his generation, formal education was augmented by on-the-job learning experience that would take them across several divisions before taking leadership positions.

Ambros Inc. today ensures new ideas and fresh energy continues to flow and help grow the company.

“For the next generation, get a formal education, spend time working in our industry outside of the company, and bring that experience to Ambros,” Shimizu says.

Like other local and regional businesses, Ambros Inc. saw its share of challenges with the COVID pandemic, which in Guam was followed closely by Typhoon Mawar.

Shimizu said labor was a challenge these past few years. Ambros addressed this by modifying work schedules, adjusting wages for some positions, and adjusted inventory levels to address delays in the supply chain.

Through it all, the Shimizus have been able to work together with their team, building an Ambros Inc. family that supports one another.

“We are a people business, and we value and treat our employees like family,” Shimizu says. “What we do, can’t be done virtually. The products have to be physically handled by our team, from sales calls to warehouse, to delivery, merchandising, and everything else.”