COMMENT: Committed to delivering a Whole Lot More for S&W
One of S&W Wholesale’s key values is delivering as one team and that is exactly what we accomplished with our supply partners, retailers, customers and entire staff last year, says Michael Skelton, CEO of S&W Wholesale.
January 2024 marked the one-year anniversary of entering an EOT Business Model which allowed us to further invest back into the business, our staff and the local community for the future of S&W.
EOT
2023 for us at S&W was all about pioneering the way for an EOT move in Northern Ireland for a company of this scale. We knew there were going to be learnings on the journey, but we were committed to showing our staff, their families, the local community and all involved with S&W that we are an organisation for the future.
In the short space of time since its implementation we have been able to introduce bi-annual payments based on company performance to staff, additional annual leave and other staff rewards including increased Death in Service value to all.
The overall engagement opportunities have increased and employees have become more involved with developing the culture of S&W; shaping some fantastic initiatives such as the free breakfast all year round project. Our suppliers are safe in the knowledge too that S&W will continue to be their partners for the long term with ambitious growth and investment plans in motion for the year ahead.
INVESTMENT
Investing over £15 million in a new state-of-the-art storage, warehouse and office facility will allow S&W to grow from their current 100,000 sq ft base to 180,000 sq ft facilitating over 9,000+ product lines under one roof.
2023 also saw an investment of over £1m in a new dynamic IT System that will provide further efficiencies across the business. This will allow S&W to service customers across the island of Ireland with greater ease and provide real time information to make fast accurate decisions going forward.
Investment in our Transport Department has seen our lorry fleet continue to grow with the introduction of new temperature-controlled lorries added to our current number of 60.
AWARD-WINNING
Our teams across the business enjoyed fantastic successes at this year’s award ceremonies, winning some huge accolades that we are very proud of.
Our Nearby stores and teams across the business were also awarded at a store level for their excellent standards within the industry including at Neighbourhood Retailer where our stores compete amongst the highest level NI has to offer.
We were thrilled with the outcome this year for our brands and teams. To be recognised for the work and the commitment the teams have given this year at these top award ceremonies have been memorable to be part of.
While there will always be challenges to overcome in business, we have showed time and time again the ability to remain agile and work alongside our supply partners, our independent retailers and customers which will pave the way for further growth into 2024 and beyond.
TO READ MICHAEL’S INDUSTRY COMMENT IN THE 2024 NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER YEARBOOK AND MARKETING GUIDE, CLICK HERE
