Parfetts, RD Johns and Wilds Premier Drinks Distributor were three of the big member winners at this year’s newly rebranded Unitas Connect Awards, winning the Retail, Foodservice and On Trade Wholesaler of The Year 2023 titles respectively.
Pricecheck, meanwhile, claimed the the Standard / Specialist Wholesaler of the Year as well as one for Digital Innovation, while Lomond picked up honours in the Environmental and Sustainability category.
The awards took place during the buying group’s connect24 trading event in Liverpool, with over 650 people in attendance. Unitas MD John Kinney told the attendees: “It’s been amazing to have over 800 people in the halls today, doing deals, discovering new lines and making new connections. Tonight’s awards celebrate the best of last year’s connections – it’s these partnerships between our members, our suppliers and the brilliant team we have in our Support Centre that set the template for success in wholesale.”
The evening raised £23,000 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Sheffield.
Read more: Unitas rebrands trade show to ‘connect24’
The full list of winners were as follows:
Member Awards
Environmental Sustainability Award 2023
Lomond The Wholesale Food Co
Digital Innovation of the Year 2023
Pricecheck | International Brand Partners
Member’s Employee of the Year – Rising Star
Lewis Dyson, Dee Bee Wholesale
Standard / Specialist Member of the Year 2023
Pricecheck International Brand Partners
On-Trade Member of the Year 2023
Wilds Premier Drinks Distributor
Foodservice Member of the Year 2023
R D Johns
Retail Member of the Year 2023
Parfetts / Go Local
Supplier Winners
Foodservice Own Brand Product of the Year 2023
CK Premium Chips 12/12mm – Lutosa
Retail Own Brand Product of the Year 2023
Black Storm PP 500ml – Aston Manor
Brand Campaign of the Year
PepsiCo – Burger King Campaign
On Trade Supplier of the Year
Heineken UK
Foodservice Supplier of the Year
Unilever Food Solutions
Licensed Supplier of the Year
Heineken UK
Impulse Supplier of the Year
KP Snacks
Grocery Supplier of the Year 2023
Nestlé
Service Provider of the Year 2023
IMA Group
