Fairway Foodservice has joined the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) as a full member.
Huddersfield-based wholesale buying group Fairway, which represents 18 independent food distributors with a combined turnover of £626m, is the third foodservice group to join FWD in the last two years.
Fairway chief executive Chris Binge said: “Through the FWD, wholesalers and distributors collaborate on the industry’s direction, taking a common approach to the issues that affect us all, such as legislation, the use of non-commercial data, and government lobbying.
“Where it prevents duplication of effort and enables us to share systems and standards, working together across an industry makes obvious sense and is the most powerful and cost effective way to achieve progress.”
FWD chief executive James Bielby, said: “With economic and political challenges ahead, it’s important that we speak to Government with the broadest possible consensus, so I am delighted that we are able to add Fairway and its members to our collective voice.
“We will also gain from the experience and expertise Chris and his team bring, particularly their data and technology innovations which can benefit the entire wholesale sector.”
FWD now represents almost 600 independent wholesalers and distributors through the Confex, Caterforce, Country Range, Landmark, Sugro and Today’s buying groups. It also represents larger food and drink distribution companies including Bestway, Booker, Bidvest Foodservice and Palmer and Harvey.
Fairway Foodservice was founded in 1984 by five frozen food wholesale distribution companies.
A network of independent food distributors servicing the catering industry throughout the UK and Ireland, and in 2011, it added a presence on the Spanish Costas and Balearic Islands through Europ Foods.
