Scotland’s most innovative, forward-thinking and resilient wholesalers – and their people – have been recognised and rewarded at the Scottish Wholesale Achievers Awards.
The annual event, now in its 22nd year, is organised by the Scottish Wholesale Association.
More 500 guests attended the Achievers gala dinner and awards presentation, hosted by sports broadcaster Eilidh Barbour, at the O2 Academy Edinburgh, on Thursday, 20 February. Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP, was in attendance and presented two awards.
United Wholesale (Scotland) dominated the wholesaler categories, securing Best Delivered Operation – Retail, Best Cash & Carry (Queenslie), Best Licensed Wholesaler – Off-Trade, and Best Marketing Initiative for its ‘Spin To Win’ campaign. CJ Lang & Son triumphed in the Best Symbol Group category while Faílte Foods claimed the Great Place to Work accolade.
JW Filshill was awarded Sustainable Wholesaler of the Year, recognised for its extensive environmental initiatives. Brakes Scotland claimed Best Delivered Operation – Foodservice after a tiebreaker, impressing judges with its customer-centric approach. Inverarity Morton won Best Licensed Wholesaler – On-Trade, praised for its sales team’s expertise and use of technology. Lynas Foodservice took home the Best Innovation award for its AI-driven ordering system.
Individual excellence was also celebrated. Megan Smith from Lomond Foods won both Wholesale Local Food Champion and Employee of the Year. Matt Farmer of Brakes Scotland was named Rising Star of Wholesale, while John Martin from Braehead Foods received the Wholesale Driver of the Year award. Craig Barr of AG Barr was recognised as Supplier Sales Executive of the Year.
Soft drinks giant AG Barr swept the supplier awards, winning Best Overall Service, Best Foodservice Supplier, Project Wholesale for ‘The Great Transition,’ and Best Advertising Campaign for its Irn-Bru ‘Mannschaft’ advert. The haul represents the first time in the history of Achievers that one business has won all the supplier awards. Meanwhile, Taylors Snacks from Perthshire won Local Supplier of the Year.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Jonathan Kemp and Ian Johnstone of AG Barr in recognition of their valued contribution to the sector over many years.
The event also acknowledged the upcoming 150th anniversaries of Dunns Food and Drinks, and JW Filshill.
SWA chief executive Colin Smith emphasised the vital role of wholesalers in Scotland’s food and drink supply chain, highlighting their increased recognition by MPs and MSPs alike. He stressed the importance of celebrating the industry’s contributions to ensuring food and drink reaches consumers, noting the dedication of the people who “glue” the industry together.
