Four British produce suppliers have been recognised by ASDA for their outstanding achievement at an awards ceremony in Pontefract. The supermarket handed out awards to suppliers that had demonstrated excellent customer focus, initiative or levels of service during 2003.
The winners of the individual ASDA awards were as follows:
The best customer initiative award was given to AMS for its local strawberry initiative - this year AMS initiated and managed the introduction of locally sourced strawberries into 43 ASDA stores;
The best supplier initiative award was given to Evolution Flowers for its role in the Spalding Flower Festival - Evolution raised more than £16,000 for local charities at the 2003 event;
The best service level award went to Taypack - Taypack achieved 100 per cent service delivery into ASDA depots for six consecutive months in 2003 and introduced Ayrshire potatoes to all 34 ASDA stores in Scotland as part of a local sourcing initiative;
The overall produce supplier of the year award went to English Village Salads and Yorkshire Fresh Salads, part of the Geest Group.
Mike Snell, ASDA's general manager for produce said: "Each of the winning suppliers demonstrated a real desire go the extra mile whether that be driving new products into store, raising our profile with local communities or focusing on delivering the highest possible level of service. All deserve to be recognised for the extremely hard work and commitment they have put in this year."
Commenting on the overall produce supplier of the year award Mike said: "Over the past few years we have developed close cultural links with EVS, who have always shown a willingness to adopt best practice and deliver the best possible service to ASDA and our customers.
Commenting on receiving the produce supplier of the year award, Stephen Holding, business director at EVS said: "This is a fantastic achievement by everyone on site, our partners ASDA and our dedicated grower base. We have achieved this award by delivering what ASDA customers want - good quality products that are always available at the best possible prices.
"Everything we do on this site is focused around achieving this and I am very proud that our hard work has been recognised in this way."
