The Real McCoy’s, Strongbow, Echo Falls and Knorr were among the brands chosen by wholesalers as winners of this year’s Federation of Wholesale Distributors’ Gold Medal awards.
Brands and supplier companies are voted for by members of the FWD for their contribution over the last 12 months to the food and drink distribution sector and its 400,000 retail and foodservice customers.
The Real McCoys from KP Snacks was voted Grocery Brand of the Year, with Echo Falls Fruit Fusion from Accolade Wines winning Drinks Brand and Heineken UK’s Strongbow Dark Fruit chosen as Retail Innovation of the Year.
Nestle Professional won a medal for its service to foodservice operators, and Unilever Food Solutions’ Chef Rewards scheme took the award for Foodservice Innovation.
Introducing the awards to the 800 guests at Thursday’s presentation dinner, FWD chairman Martin Williams (pictured) said: “We are here to reward our supply chain partners for their commitment and innovation in the wholesale channel.
“Wholesale distribution is the natural partner of brands, big and small, and tonight we reveal the suppliers who have been chosen by wholesalers as the ones who really understand the channel and commit to co-operation which benefits us all.”
Grocery Brand
The Real McCoy’s – KP Snacks
Shortlisted: Pepsi Max (Britivc Soft Drinks) and Weetabix on the Go (Weetabix)
Drinks Brand
Echo Falls Fruit Fusion – Accolade Wines
Shortlisted: Pimm’s Cider Cup (Diageo GB) and Strongbow Dark Fruit (Heineken UK)
Foodservice Brand
Knorr – Unilever Food Solutions
Shortlisted: Nescafe, Nestle Professional and Maggi range, Nestle Professional
Service to Retail
Coca-Cola Enterprises
Service to Foodservice
Nestle Professional
Innovation in Retail
Heineken UK for Strongbow Dark Fruit
Innovation in Foodservice
Unilever Food Solutions for Chef Rewards
Actionable Insight
Nestle Professional
