Meet our sponsors
Headline sponsor
Reflex Group
Reflex is delighted to sponsor the Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards, as it brings opportunity to support both branded and own label food and drink products in the diverse Scottish retailing sector. From boutique start-ups through to some of Scotland’s largest supermarkets, we happily support both ends of the spectrum from our multi-site operations.
Our story began in 2002 with a vision of what the future could look like in packaging – we were driven to create a more efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly way of working. This vision shapes the way we see, perceive and interact with packaging and is at the heart of everything we do. Now, two decades on, we’re operating out of 18 sites across the UK and have ambitious growth plans for the future.
As of 2019 we proudly achieved carbon negative status via a range of green goals and initiatives and this continues to be a key focus in our operations.
Producing a variety of packaging formats, from printed labels to flexible pouches and everything in between, we have both the equipment and the expertise to support both small and large print volumes.
We’re proud to offer a very local service to our clients, and that’s why we have a dedicated team of account managers and print specialists who love nothing more than helping producers and retailers to make their packaging sing from the shelves.
Sponsors
Business Gateway
Business Gateway is a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services.
We have strong partnerships with a wide variety of organisations to help deliver the best advice and support to Scottish businesses. We offer a range of professional resources, support and tools to help you learn new skills, create new opportunities and develop sustainable strategies for growth.
Invest Northern Ireland
Invest Northern Ireland is delighted to be sponsoring the Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards in its first year.
Scotland is an important market for Northern Ireland producers. With only 12 miles of separation at the closest point, Scottish and Northern Irish consumers share an appreciation of quality food and drink products that are both rich in heritage and have a positive impact on health and the environment.
Regional food and drink products have a strong position at the heart of the retail market and consumer loyalty to established regional brands lies at the heart of their success. Both the Northern Irish and Scottish markets recognise the value of convenience and innovation and have thriving food-to-go sectors underpinned by accredited suppliers with a commitment to excellence. Many Northern Ireland producers already enjoy an excellent trading relationship with Scottish retail buyers and there is much enthusiasm to develop these links.
We look forward to raising the profile of our award-winning suppliers and bringing some Pure Natural Quality to the table at the Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards.
Scottish Wholesale Association
The Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) is the official trade association for Scotland’s food and drink wholesaling businesses.
Recognised as The Voice of the Scottish Food, Drink and Allied Trades and headed up by Chief Executive Colin Smith, SWA operates within six key pillars covering its main functions of liaison between members, suppliers and the wider food and drink trade : Liaison, Lobbying, Legislation and Training as well as its two flagship events: the SWA Annual Conference and the SWA Achievers Awards programme.
SPAR Scotland
SPAR Scotland is Scotland’s leading convenience retailing group, servicing over 300 SPAR stores across Scotland. SPAR Scotland is operated by CJ Lang & Son, a family-owned company established over 100 years ago in 1919.
The company employs over 1,700 staff across Scotland and works with over 150 local suppliers across the country. We’re committed to working with local bakers and a range of Scottish suppliers across a number of categories.
Distribution is from a 180,000sq foot state-of-the-art multi-temperature site in offering a full multi-temperature product range delivered on a fixed bus stop system within a two-hour window.
Our customers are our neighbours and we take our role in the community seriously. In the last 12 years SPAR Scotland has donated almost £1m to local charities and community groups through its stores. This also includes supporting our national charity partner Marie Curie.
SPAR Scotland is an official grassroots partner of the Scottish FA. The partnership has recently been extended to allow support for the Scotland Women’s National Team to continue as well as continuing with the Future Stars Challenge Cup for girls in secondary schools across the country.
UPAC Group
Operating throughout Scotland, The UPAC Group is committed to providing customers with the perfect packaging solution at the best price on the market. Founded in 1972, we are now celebrating over four decades of serving the Scottish market with packaging and packaging materials.
The UPAC Group is unique in the way we supply our customers. With over 200,000 sq ft of warehousing space, we act as a stock and hold supplier for our customers, meaning, we make or buy in requested packaging (in bulk) and hold onto it, calling it off as and when you need it.
With UPAC, you can walk away with a printed sample on the day. Whether you are a start-up looking for new innovative eco-friendly packaging, a food and drink manufacturer looking for bespoke boxes, acetates, films and pallet wrap, or a removal business looking for reduced price, second hand (surplus/once used) boxes… UPAC Packaging is the answer!
As a family business we understand the pressures that come with running small- and medium-sized businesses. You can trust our team to take away the stress of your packaging.
Trust The UPAC Group, Scotland’s fastest-growing packaging supplier.
Partners
56 Degree Insight
Our research and insight partners for the Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards are Edinburgh-based research and insight agency 56 Degree Insight. Headed up by former Kantar Scotland directors Jim Eccleston and Duncan Stewart, the company offers exceptional insight into the Scottish food and drink sector and will continue to provide unique insight and research in to the Scottish retail food and drink industry throughout the awards programme.
Scottish Grocers’ Federation
Scottish Grocers’ Federation is delighted to support the Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards. We are passionate about promoting and celebrating the outstanding quality and phenomenal range of food and drink in Scotland. The Convenience sector in Scotland is a vital part of the part of the food and drink supply chain: providing vital routes to market for our wholesalers, food service companies and manufacturers.
With their capacity to respond quickly to changing customer expectations – especially the desire for a greater range of premium products –convenience retailers are in a unique position to make Scottish produce a key part of their core range and to make connections with local suppliers.
Scottish Local Retailer
Published by 55 North, the award-winning Scottish Local Retailer is Scotland’s only monthly magazine aimed exclusively at convenience store owners.
The Times Scotland, The Sunday Times Scotland & The Scottish Sun
We are delighted to have Scotland’s biggest selling newspaper and Scotland’s best-selling quality newspapers as our official Consumer Media Partners for the Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards.
This partnership will ensure consistent high-quality editorial coverage within both newspapers from official launch through to a full post-awards supplement to be published after the Gala Dinner.
Tansor Public Relations
Tansor PR is recognised and respected as an expert in the convenience, retail and wholesale distribution sectors. Headed by Eimear Andersen who for over 15 years has run high profile campaigns for a wealth of clients and leading names in the food and drink industry. Highly regarded and respected for implementing and executing public relations and business transformation strategies. Eimear’s first class reputation is based on her industry expertise, her network and her ability to deliver comprehensive, multi-platform PR strategies.