The SWA has received a record number of awards for the SWA Achievers Awards, with the event set to take place a the O2 Academy Edinburgh.
While the aims of Achievers remain the same – to highlight best practice and innovation within the industry and also recognises the dedicated people who keep its wheels moving – the 2023 awards feature a new category: Best Local Supplier.
This has been introduced to reflect the SWA’s ongoing ‘Delivering Growth Through Wholesale’ programme that aims to forge stronger relationships between wholesalers and local food and drink producers, helping to spark new business opportunities and increase the amount of local sourcing among Scottish wholesalers.
Reflecting on how Achievers has maintained its position as one of the UK’s premier wholesale events over two decades, Colin Smith, SWA chief executive, said: “Achievers has resonated with the industry since its launch in 2003 and the SWA has been careful to ensure that the event has evolved to meet the needs of the Scottish wholesale market.
“Recognise industry innovations, trends and challenges has led to several new categories being introduced and these have struck a chord with wholesalers – for example, our Rising Star of Wholesale award.
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“As well as shining a spotlight on the wholesale industry, our suppliers and the people who make it all come together, Achievers celebrates the ongoing innovation and resilience within our industry, and stands proud as a reminder of the importance of wholesale to the Scottish economy.
“Indeed, our position within the Scottish business community was endorsed by the Scottish Government earlier this year when Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes, attended the Achievers Awards 2022 to present the Rising Star of Wholesale award.
“We’ve also made it quicker and easier to enter with wholesalers and suppliers now able to submit their entries online via our website.”
Tables for the gala dinner and awards presentation can be booked via the SWA website at www.scottishwholesale.co.uk/achievers/ or by contacting awards@scottishwholesale.co.uk
Wholesaler awards:
Best Cash & Carry (sponsored by Philip Morris)
Best Delivered Operation – Retail (sponsored by Juul)
Best Symbol Group (sponsored by Budweiser)
Best Delivered Operation – Foodservice (sponsored by Premier Foods)
Best Licensed Wholesaler (sponsored by Halewood)
Best Marketing Initiative (sponsored by Suntory)
Community Service Award (sponsored by AG Barr)
Great Place to Work (sponsored by Pernod Ricard)
Sustainable Wholesaler of the Year (sponsored by JTI)
Employee of the Year (sponsored by SWA)
Rising Star of Wholesale (sponsored by KP Snacks)
Best Technology Initiative (sponsored by TWC)
Supplier awards:
Best Advertising Campaign (sponsored by SWA)
Supplier Sales Executive of the Year (sponsored by Unitas Wholesale)
Project Wholesale (sponsored by Bestway Wholesale)
Best Overall Service (sponsored by SWA)
Best Foodservice Supplier (sponsored by SWA)
Best Local Supplier (sponsored by Dunns Food and Drinks)
