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'Fortune' names Unified Grocers, UNFI 'most admired' |
04.24.2009
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By Jenna Crisostomo
LOS ANGELES-Unified Grocers, wholesale grocery distributor in the Western United States, ranked fourth in Fortune magazine's Most Admired Companies in the Wholesale Food and Grocery industry category for 2009 on April 15 here. Last year, Unified Grocers ranked sixth on the list.
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Ranking fourth in the category, "it (recognition) is good and it's validation that we're doing a lot of things right," said Tom Schaffner, spokesperson with Unified Grocers. "...You're really being recognized by peers and that makes it very gratifying.
"We've moved up over the years and it's good for us," added Schaffner.
The top three Most Admired in the Wholesale Food and Grocery category include foodservice marketer and distributor Sysco in Houston (ranked first); energy, grains and foods company CHS in Grove Heights, Minn. (ranked second); and specialty food distributor UNFI in Dayville, Conn. (ranked third).
Unified was admired because of the company's "integrity and business growth," said Schaffner. "From my perspective, I think we're growing steadily which is good."
Schaffner added that with the acquisition of Associated Grocers two years ago going "smoothly, those kinds of things are seen by others in the industry." Schaffner said Unified's specialty products division has also attributed to the company's overall growth.
"Throughout our history, it has been a goal of Unified to be a leader in our industry and a strong partner to the many fine independent retailers and communities we serve," said Al Plamann, president and chief executive officer, Unified Grocers, in a statement. "This recognition is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of our entire organization, from our directors and retail members, to our company's officers and employees. We appreciate being acknowledged for our ongoing efforts to be the best."
Fortune's listings were produced by top executives, analysts and directors in their own industry who rated Fortune's 1,000 companies on nine criteria, such as social responsibility and investment value. To be ranked as a Most Admired Company, the company's score had to rank in the top half of its respected industry.
Unified Grocers Inc. was founded in 1922 and is a retailer-owned wholesale grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the western United States. Unified and its subsidiaries, which generated approximately $4.1 billion in sales during fiscal 2008, offer independent retailers resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry.
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