David Cattrall is the managing director at Harlech Foodservice.
What have you learnt from the past twelve months from the perspective of running a wholesale operation?
Stock has been extremely difficult to manage – significant write-offs & support of food banks. Our business is too large for Govt to fully support and too small to get a response (banks to big to ignore). We still need to be there for customers who do trade, e.g. takeaway, health & care. I took over at Harlech in June 2020 from being non-exec prior!
Read more: Harlech rewards frontline staff with up to 14% pay rises
How has your business changed since the pandemic hit?
Restructured all areas, strengthened digital interface & reduction in telesales, digital marketing, introduced efficiency improvements such as new routing software, a greater focus on health, care & education, broadened geographic reach. We also introduced transparent prices so all customers can browse our range and buy at competitive prices.
As we hopefully head into a post-Covid world, what advice/tips can you offer from what you’ve experienced?
Every business needs to embrace the digital revolution and redirect its people. We are also focusing on service in 2021, such as enabling customers to order via web or app up to 10 pm.
