[ INDUSTRY NEWS ]
Channel Islands purchase Bidvest Foodservice International, trading in the UK as Bidvest 3663, has spread its net to the Channel Islands with the purchase of Cimandis, with depots in St Saviour, Jersey, St Peter Port, Guernsey, and Alderney. The Channel Islands operator’s former owner is SandpiperCI, the largest retailer and private employer in the island group. As reported in Cash & Carry Management, Cimandis will next month end its 21year membership of Country Range Group. The wholesaler stocks a range of 4,500 products, including fresh meat and fish, fruit & veg, bakery, chilled & frozen foods, soft drinks and dry goods. Its 1,000 customers cover
the retail, hospitality and service sectors. Andrew Selley, Bidvest 3663 chief executive, said: “Over the past couple of years, the Cimandis management team (headed by managing director Dave Chalk and commercial director Dave Truscott) have developed a thriving and profitable foodservice business within the Channel Islands. “In line with our decentralised model, Bidvest will continue operating Cimandis as an autonomous and independent business. “We believe this partnership opens up new opportunities for both of us.
“It allows Bidvest to further extend its footprint in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney, while the Cimandis team and customers will benefit from the financial and strategic support of the wider Bidvest group.” At present, there are no plans to change the Cimandis liveries and brands. In addition to operations in the UK, home country South Africa, and now in the Channel Islands, Bidvest has foodservice businesses in Belgium, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Baltic States, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Chile and Brazil. a Bidvest 3663 (0370) 3663 000
Caterers benefit from price freeze Bestway Batleys Foodservice is holding the prices of more than 300 catering skus until July through its Price Hold Guarantee scheme. The initiative, which was revamped in January, has two versions – one for restaurants, hotels & pubs and the other for cafés & fastfood outlets. The deals relate to brands and Essentially Catering ownlabel products, covering fresh meat, chilled and frozen, ambient and non-food. Rachel Hartwell, category manager, said: “Foodservice is constantly evolving and at BBF it is all about meeting and beating our customers’ expectations. “In addition to own-label, we have worked hard with supplier partners such as Premier, Unilever, Heinz and Procter & Gamble to ensure 10
May 2015
Rachel Hartwell: ‘We’ve worked hard with supplier partners.’
that the Price Hold Guarantee range meets the needs of our customers. We benchmark prices against other operators.” The latest promotion also offers customers a free case of burgers when they spend £100 in the depot. In addition, there is the chance to win a barbecue with olive oil producer Filippo Berio.
www.cashandcarrymanagement.co.uk
Hartwell pointed out: “Caterers have previously had an unenviable task of having to deal with a whole range of different suppliers. BBF is one of only a few wholesalers who can offer a complete range solution from fresh and frozen to ambient and licensed.” a Booker Batleys Foodservice (01738) 646666
Marwaha and Gallacher
Expansion for Premier member Former Booker retail development controller in Scotland Chris Gallacher is helping a leading independent chain north of the border continue its ambitious growth programme. Six months ago, Gallacher became retail operations manager for Dynamic Retail, a Glasgow company whose managing director is Shaun Marwaha, with his parents Jack and Rita also part of the management team. The business, which has eight Scotfresh stores and plans for 15 within 12 months, is affiliated to Booker’s Premier chain and is claimed to be its largest member. a Dynamic Retail 0141-959 3831
Group rise Sales through Landmark Wholesale members in March increased by 4.8% compared with the previous corresponding month, with cigarettes alone moving up by 5.6%. Total sales in the year to the end of March rose by 8.9%. a Landmark Wholesale (01908) 255300