JW Filshill was named the best wholesale business in Scotland at the prestigious Scottish Wholesale Achievers awards, held at the Sheraton Grand, Edinburgh, on 31 January.
The team from JW Filshill celebrate being crowned Champion of Champions.
Now in its 17th year, Achievers recognises professionalism and excellence across all sectors of the wholesale industry in Scotland, rewarding suppliers as well as wholesalers.
In addition to winning the Champion of Champions accolade, JW Filshill was triumphant in three other categories: Best Delivered Operation – Retail, Best Symbol Group, and Best Licensed Operation.
Another Unitas Wholesale member, United Wholesale (Scotland) was also a winner, claiming Best Marketing Initiative for its ‘Summer of Sport’ campaign to drive a comprehensive wholesale and retail sales and marketing activation across all areas of its business.
Bidfood Scotland was also celebrating, with two award wins: Great Place to Work and Best Delivered Operation –Foodservice, the latter as joint winner with Lomond Foods.
Booker Shawfield was another double award winner, taking the Best Cash & Carry title and also Employee of the Year for Craig Shand, stock control & replenishment supervisor.
In the suppliers’ award categories, Linda Fraser of Nestlé was named Supplier Sales Executive of the Year, while Quorn Foods in partnership with Scot Serve won Project Scotland.
AG Barr came out on top in the Best Overall Service award, judged by members of the SWA voting each month for the shortlisted suppliers over a four-month period. Meanwhile, a new award for Achievers 2019 – Best Foodservice Supplier – was won by Unilever Food Solutions.
Finally, Best Advertising Campaign, which saw wholesalers vote for their favourite advert, went to Bud Light for ‘Dilly Dilly’.
Colin Smith, SWA chief executive, said: “We are witnessing unprecedented change in our industry yet our wholesalers and suppliers continue to raise their game. Success is hard won in challenging times such as these and it is only right that we sometimes take stock and acknowledge the success of our wholesaler and supplier members.
“Achievers is the perfect vehicle to recognise the very best in our industry and I applaud the exceptional levels of innovation that we are seeing from our members as they seek new revenue streams, develop their operational processes and strive to provide the best possible customer service.”
Smith also praised suppliers for their support of the wholesale sector in Scotland. “We are very proud of the way Achievers has evolved,” he said. “We go to great lengths to ensure that the awards remain meaningful for all involved but we couldn’t do it without our supplier members and we are committed to working in partnership with our sponsors to offer them a solid return on their investment in the form of much closer working relationships with wholesalers and a far better understanding of the Scottish wholesale industry gained through the judging process.”
