S&W Wholesale – Ireland’s trusted wholesaler focuses on its next chapter
Leadership, continuity and a strong focus on their customers have proven key to the success of S&W Wholesale. As they step into the next chapter with impressive new multi-purpose facilities, S&W’s Leadership Team outlines their plans for growth.
For over 100 years, S&W has built a legacy of trust as Ireland’s leading wholesaler, consistently offering ‘A Whole Lot More’ to support the success of their customers.
Their long-standing history is testament to their unwavering commitment to the wholesale sector and the retail community across the island of Ireland, a commitment S&W continues to strengthen with clear promises for the future.
Indeed, S&W’s innovative transition nearly three years ago to an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT) – a first of its kind for a company of its scale in Northern Ireland – underscores their dedication to a stable and reliable future. This unique structure ensures that S&W’s focus remains firmly on the long-term success of their retailers and customers, fostering employee retention and mutual growth alongside valued suppliers.
As CEO of S&W Wholesale, Anthony McVeigh told NR the move to transition to an EOT was to cement the legacy of S&W as well as strengthen their partnerships with their customers, employees and suppliers.
“We wanted to install confidence in our customers, suppliers and wider stakeholders that S&W will be here for the long-term, to support their business and grow alongside S&W as their trusted wholesaler,” said Anthony.
“The EOT move has allowed us to successfully do this, as we look to the future with our new multi-purpose building currently in construction with local contractor, Kelly Bros from Warrenpoint.”
“Becoming an EOT employer means our people have a genuine stake in S&W’s future,” added Laura Cassells, Head of People and Culture at S&W.
“It protects our culture, keeps us independent, and creates space for growth – growth of the business, growth in opportunities for our people, and growth in the positive impact we can make in our community.”
This summer, S&W announced it had appointed building contractor, Kelly Brothers LLP from Warrenpoint as the main contractor on its new, purpose-built facilities in Newry.
The new site, which is located approximately three miles from its current headquarters in Carnbane Business Park, is situated adjacent to the southbound side of the A1 dual carriageway, supporting the company’s future growth plans right across the island to better service our customers.
The proposal for the 180,000 sq ft storage and distribution warehouse including ancillary office accommodation is a major boost to the EOT business, as it looks to the future.
“As a Leadership Team, we recognised that the business has been curtailed in recent times through space constraints and operating across multiple sites,” said Anthony.
“This investment in the new facilities will secure the long-term future of S&W as a leading independent grocery wholesaler – one that our customers can continue to place their trust in.
“As an EOT business, it is essential that we continue to invest in the business, our people and in the local community. This new facility will allow us to maximise our operational efficiency and support our customers further.”
In the meantime, the company has continued to invest in other sides of the business, including its ever-growing fleet and logistics operations.
“We have already invested significantly in our fleet with new additions, including temperature-controlled lorries this year to help service our customers more efficiently,” said Clive Whylie, Head of Operations.
“With the development of our new site well underway, we have upgraded and invested back into our warehouse efficiencies with the introduction of new state-of-the-art pallet and reach trucks. This crucial investment will enable our award-winning operations team to enhance both the reliability of our service to customers and our internal operational efficiencies.
“Our continuous improvement mindset at S&W is centred around a core value – prioritising the customer. We are constantly looking for ways to improve as a team and offer a better service each time for our customers.”
Delivering on a promise to offer ‘A Whole Lot More’ for its customers, S&W established an exciting new symbol brand, Nearby in 2021. Exclusive to the company, it was launched with a commitment to play a vital part in a modernisation strategy to help independent retailers forge deeper connections with their local communities.
Promising to refresh the look and feel of convenience stores, the Nearby brand delivers a sense of togetherness, convenience and great value that’s never too far from home.
Nearby has proved it is more than a symbol for independent retailers. With a retail support system in place, the latest market knowledge and retail technology, retailers can focus on what they do best, while Nearby supports the rest.
Having marked the fourth anniversary of Nearby this summer, Chief Sales Officer Michael Skelton told NR their Nearby stores are central to the company’s mission.
“The success of Nearby stems from our unwavering customer loyalty in independent retailing, paired with our robust wholesale support,” said Michael.
