JW Filshill was the big winner at this year’s Scottish Wholesale Achievers (SWA) awards held in Edinburgh, picking up four accolades throughout the evening.
The Glasgow-based firm was named the best wholesale business in Scotland at the event, which was celebrating its 17th year of recognising professionalism and excellence across all sectors of the wholesale industry.
JW Filshill, supplier to KeyStore outlets across Scotland and the north of England and operating out of premises at Hillington, picked up the Champion of Champions accolade, along with the Best Delivered Operation (Retail), Best Symbol Group, and Best Licensed Operation.
Archie MacLellan, multiple account executive of independent wholesalers at JTI, who judged the Champion of Champions award, pointed out that standards were “exceptionally high across the board”, but highlighted innovation as the trademark of this year.
“Innovation means many things – be that in use of technology, advances in customer service, investment in staff training and development, and evolving operational processes to meet the needs of customers,” MacLellan said. “Throw a sprinkling of entrepreneurial flair into the mix and what we have here is a buoyant and exciting wholesale sector led by SWA members who are experiencing growth and increased profitability across many areas of their business.”
SWA chief executive Colin Smith added: “We are witnessing an 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.
Bidfood Scotland was also celebrating after claiming the Great Place to Work award, whilst Best Marketing Initiative went to United Wholesale (Scotland) for its ‘Summer of Sport’ initiative to drive a comprehensive wholesale and retail sales and marketing activation across all areas of its business.
Meanwhile, Best Cash & Carry went to Booker Shawfield, and the key Employee of the Year category was won by Craig Shand, stock control and replenishment supervisor at the same facility.
A new award for 2019 – Best Foodservice Supplier – saw foodservice wholesalers vote on the performance of the shortlisted suppliers over a four-month period. The winner of this inaugural award was Unilever Food Solutions.
More recent news: Spar wholesaler James Hall & Co rolls out apprenticeship schemes
