United Wholesale (Scotland) was crowned Champion of Champions at the prestigious Scottish Wholesale Achievers awards, held at the Sheraton Grand, Edinburgh, on 9 February.

As well as claiming the ultimate prize, United Wholesale (Scotland), which operates depots at Queenslie in the east end of Glasgow, Maxwell Road in the city’s southside and M9 Cash & Carry near Grangemouth, won Best Licensed Operation, Best Marketing Initiative and Best Symbol Group. On top of that, Jason McLeod, the wholesaler’s fresh food specialist, was crowned Employee of the Year.

Now in its 15th year, Achievers is run by the Scottish Wholesale Association in partnership with Cash & Carry Management and recognises excellence across all sectors of the wholesale industry in Scotland.

Kate Salmon, executive director of the SWA, commented: “I am proud of the way Achievers has evolved – every single year we have acted on constructive criticism to ensure that the awards remain meaningful and beneficial to all involved.

“A key part of this is consulting with leading wholesalers and suppliers to make sure that all elements of the judging are aligned to identify best practice within the industry, with criteria that is not only relevant but also bang up to date. I am extremely grateful to our suppliers for their contribution.

“Fairness is paramount to Achievers. Although our awards have evolved over the years, what has remained consistent is our integrity, our uncompromising standards and our incredibly high values. We will continue to build on this in partnership with entrants, supplier sponsors and independent judges.”

Roll of Honour

Champion of Champions, sponsored by Cott


United Wholesale (Scotland)

Great Place to Work, sponsored by Philip Morris International


Fáilte Foods, Glasgow

Runner-up: United Wholesale (Scotland)

Highly Commended: Bidvest Foodservice Scotland

Best Cash & Carry, sponsored by JTI


United Wholesale Grocers, Springburn

Runner-up: Bestway Batleys, Glasgow (former Sher Brothers depot)

Highly Commended: United Wholesale (Scotland), Queenslie

Best Delivered Operation (Retail), sponsored by Mondelez International


JW Filshill, Glasgow

Runner-up: United Wholesale (Scotland)

Highly Commended: Iain Hill

Best Symbol Group, sponsored by Lucozade Ribena Suntory


Day-Today, United Wholesale (Scotland)

Runner-up: KeyStore, JW Filshill

Highly Commended: Lifestyle, United Wholesale Grocers

Best Delivered Operation (Foodservice), sponsored by Premier Foods


Dunns Food and Drinks

Runner-up: Bidvest Foodservice Scotland

Highly Commended: Fáilte Foods and Lomond Fine Foods

Best Licensed Operation, sponsored by Halewood International


United Wholesale (Scotland)

Runner-up: Bestway Batleys

Highly Commended: Sutherland Brothers

Best Marketing Initiative, sponsored by AG Barr


United Wholesale (Scotland) for its initiative to advertise and promote its revamped M9 Cash & Carry

Runner-up: United Wholesale Grocers for its new website and customer service app

Highly Commended: Fáilte Foods for the launch of its click & collect service plus its customer and digital interaction

Employee of the Year, sponsored by Britvic Soft Drinks


Jason McLeod, fresh food specialist, United Wholesale (Scotland)

Runner-up: Derrick Richardson, EPOS manager, JW Filshill

Highly Commended: Irene Maitland, stock controller, Bidvest Foodservice Scotland

Best Advertising Campaign


The Famous Grouse ‘Full of Natural Character’

Project Scotland


AG Barr for the relaunch of Irn-Bru

Runner-up: Innis & Gunn for its project to support the launch of its craft lager in 500ml cans

Highly Commended: Lucozade Ribena Suntory for its initiative to deliver a better service to delivered wholesalers

Best Overall Service

AB InBev

Runner-up: AG Barr

Highly Commended: Heineken

Supplier Sales Executive of the Year, sponsored by Sugro


Fiona Nisbet, Mars Chocolate

Runner-up: Linda Fraser, Nestlé UK

Highly Commended: Archie MacLellan, JTI

Tel: Scottish Wholesale Association 0131-556 8753