Achievers – now in its 18th year and organised by the Scottish Wholesale Association – saw Bidfood Scotland, JW Filshill and United Wholesale (Scotland) each win three top awards on the night. CJ Lang & Son won two and Booker claimed one accolade.
Bidfood Scotland and Glasgow-based JW Filshill were joint winners of the Best Marketing Initiative. Bidfood’s ‘Grabbing Goodness’ initiative and Filshill’s ‘KeyStore Football Fever’ campaign impressed lead judge Ross Brown, channel controller at Premier Foods, who praised all entrants in the category for their passion and effectiveness in “delivering key strategic messages on behalf of their members, customers, and consumers”.
JW Filshill and Dundee-based CJ Lang & Son shared the Best Delivered Operation (Retail) award. Filshill also won Best Licensed Wholesaler.
Best Cash & Carry went to United Wholesale (Scotland) for its depot at Queenslie in the east end of Glasgow.
Best Symbol Group saw CJ Lang impress the judges with the way it has updated the business across the board to maximise output and quality of service to the retailer.
In addition, Booker triumphed as the SWA’s inaugural Green Wholesaler of the Year.
Colin Smith, SWA chief executive, said: “Our industry continues to experience unprecedented change and I applaud our wholesalers and suppliers who continue to find new and innovative ways to grow their businesses and develop their staff, create new revenue streams and provide the best possible customer service.”
“As your trade association, we are working on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome for industry across a raft of legislative issues, including DRS (deposit return scheme).
“We are also working to create our very own SWA Wholesale Sustainability Charter and, of course, we have launched our new SWA Training Academy.”
Almost 460 people attended the SWA’s gala dinner and awards presentation last night (13 February).
