28 Jan 2008


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Industry votes JW Filshill best wholesale business in Scotland

Wholesale

cash and carry

Source : Scottish Wholesale Association
JW Filshill, Scotland's oldest independent food and drink wholesaler, has been named the best wholesale business in Scotland for the third time at the prestigious Scottish Wholesale Achievers awards.

Achievers, now in its sixth year, was launched by the Edinburgh-based Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) with the aim of rewarding professionalism and excellence and improving standards across all sectors of the wholesale industry in Scotland.

Some 460 people attended the gala dinner and awards presentation, hosted by radio presenter Nicky Docherty, at the Sheraton Grand in the capital.

Filshill, based at Hillington, Glasgow fended off stiff competition from businesses all over the country to win the sought-after Champion of Champions accolade, sponsored by Gallaher.

Judges praised Filshill’s “consistency and professionalism” at all stages throughout the competition which involved anonymous visits as well as lengthy interviews with key managers and feedback from customers.

The family firm, headed up by managing director Ronnie Hannah, also won two other categories on the night – Best Licensed Wholesaler (Off-Trade), sponsored by Scottish & Newcastle and Best Retail Wholesaler (Delivered), sponsored by InBev. In the Best Retail Development Programme category, sponsored by PepsiCo, Filshill was runner-up.

JW Filshill, a £150m-plus turnover company employing over 250 people, supplies the fast-growing KeyStore chain of convenience stores across Scotland. The wholesaler lifted the Champion of Champions accolade for the first time in 2004 and again in 2007.

Kate Salmon, SWA executive director, commented: “Standards in Achievers 2008 have been higher than ever, demonstrating that the Scottish wholesale industry is progressive, ambitious and constantly striving to raise the bar in an ever-challenging and extremely competitive marketplace.

“A key component of the judging process is feedback. Wholesalers need to know where they have scored highly and where there is room for improvement so our sponsors will now be providing each wholesaler that has entered their category with constructive comments, in writing, on various aspects of their businesses.

“This gives wholesalers the opportunity to review specific areas of their operation and, if necessary, take action to implement change or make improvements.

“Achievers also continues to provide suppliers with an unprecedented opportunity to gain a better understanding of the wholesale sector in Scotland and create more effective communication channels.”

SCOTTISH WHOLESALE ACHIEVERS 2008: THE WINNERS

Champion of Champions, sponsored by Gallaher

Winner: JW Filshill, Glasgow

Best Cash & Carry Depot, sponsored by Imperial Tobacco

Winner: Booker Dunfermline
Runner-up: Bellevue Cash & Carry, Edinburgh
Highly Commended: United Wholesale Grocers, Glasgow

Best Cash & Carry – Catering, sponsored by United Biscuits

Winner: Bellevue Cash & Carry, Edinburgh
Runners-up: Edwards Cash & Carry & CJ Lang Aberdeen
Highly Commended: Booker Hamilton

Best Licensed Wholesaler – Off Trade, sponsored by Scottish & Newcastle

Winner: JW Filshill, Glasgow
Runner-up: Gordon & MacPhail, Elgin
Highly Commended: Bellevue Cash & Carry, Edinburgh

Best Retail Development Programme, sponsored by PepsiCo

Winner: CJ Lang & Son, Dundee
Runner-up: JW Filshill, Glasgow
Highly Commended: Booker Dundee

Best Marketing Initiative, sponsored by Diageo

Winner: Costco
Runner-up: Bellevue Cash & Carry, Edinburgh

Best Retail Wholesaler – Delivered, sponsored by InBev

Winner: JW Filshill, Glasgow
Runner-up: CJ Lang & Son, Dundee
Highly Commended: Sutherland Bros, Wick

Best Licensed Wholesaler – On Trade, sponsored by Whyte & Mackay

Winner: Gordon & MacPhail
Runner-up: Waverley Vintners
Highly Commended: Booker Dundee

Best Foodservice Wholesaler – Delivered, sponsored by Britvic

Winner: 3663
Runner-up: Brakes
Highly Commended: William Yule, Kirkcaldy

Best Training Programme, sponsored by AG Barr

First: 3663 Newbridge
Runner-up: Brakes
Highly Commended: CJ Lang & Son, Dundee

Employee of the Year, sponsored by Tetley

Winner: Denis Shepherd, Martex Dundee
Runner-up: Kenny Tonner, Glencrest Glasgow
Highly Commended: Willie Ashwood, Batleys Glasgow

SUPPLIER AWARDS

Best Overall Service
1st: United Biscuits
2nd: Coca-Cola Enterprises
3rd: AG Barr & Diageo

Best Advertising Campaign

Cadbury’s Gorilla

Best Marketing Initiative

Winner: Mars for launch of Planets
Runner-up: Imperial Tobacco
Highly Commended: PepsiCo

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