Two new members boost Today’s turnover by £364 million

Two new members have swelled Today’s Group turnover by £364 million.

Back after a two-year stint with Landmark Wholesale is Gilsons Foods, of Leicester, with annual turnover of £14 million, of which 85% is in cash & carry and 15% in delivered trade. Before breaking away from Today’s, it was a member of that group for 23 years.

The company, in family control since its formation, has recently taken on a new director, Roger Haddrell, 44, an executive with S&S Wines in Luton.

One of Haddrell’s previous jobs – between 1989 and 1999 – was business development manager for Booker. At Gilsons he joins existing director TS Gill.

Today’s acting managing director John Schofield said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Gilson family has taken the decision to re-join the Today’s Group.

“We were disappointed when, as a longstanding member, they decided to leave in 2015. We are looking forward to working with them to support them in growing and developing their business into the future.”

Also joining Today’s from another group – Sugro UK – is the ever-expanding Kitwave, with a turnover of £350 million. The official starting date is January 2018.

The company has been with Sugro, which focuses on ambient and impulse foods, for 30 years, but because it has been expanding in grocery, frozen foods, exporting and the on-trade, it decided that Today’s would be a more appropriate fit.

Mike Young, commercial director of Kitwave, said: “As a group, we have expanded dramatically in recent times and will continue to do so in the future. To aid this strategic growth, Today’s provides a perfect partnership for our needs.”

Based in North Shields, Kitwave incorporates 11 companies operating 15 depots, including M&M Value in the north-east, Bolton-based Turner & Wrights, Eden Farm, of Peterlee, Co Durham, and Miller Foodservice, of York.

Today’s Group, with purchasing power of £5.7 billion, operates across the retail, on-trade and foodservice sectors and has more than 150 wholesale members, 434 symbol group retailers and 1,600 retail club members in England, Scotland and Ireland.

Tel: Today’s Group (01302) 249909