INDUSTRY VOTES CJ LANG AND SON LIMITED BEST WHOLESALE BUSINESS IN SCOTLAND

CJ Lang and Son Limited, Scotland’s largest independent retailing and distribution company, has been named the best wholesale business in Scotland at the prestigious Scottish Wholesale Achievers awards. Achievers, now in its eighth year, was launched by the Edinburgh-based Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) with the aim of rewarding professionalism and excellence and improving standards across all sectors of the wholesale industry in Scotland. Some 480 people attended the gala dinner and awards presentation, hosted by BBC Scotland TV presenter Catriona Shearer, at the Sheraton Grand in the capital. CJ Lang and Son Limited, based in Dundee, fended off stiff competition from businesses all over the country to win the sought-after Champion of Champions accolade, sponsored by United Biscuits. Judges praised the company’s “focus, drive and investment of resources” along with its approach to adapting to new Scottish legislation – both in its own business and in helping its customers. The family firm also won two other categories: Best Licensed Wholesaler (Off-Trade), sponsored by Foster’s Lager and Best Retail Wholesaler (Delivered), sponsored by JTL. In addition, CJ Lang and Son Limited was runner-up for Best Retail Development Programme and Martex Cash and Carry Division was Highly Commended for the Best Marketing Initiative Award. Trading director David Lamb said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won these prestigious awards, which are testament to the hard work and team effort adopted by staff.” Kate Salmon, SWA executive director, commented: “Achievers has been instrumental in encouraging best practice within Scottish wholesaling and, as an association, we urge wholesalers and suppliers to use Achievers to enhance their business. “Achievers is a tremendous success story for the Scottish Wholesale Association but also for the companies that enter the competition, which is effectively a free business appraisal thanks to the robustness of the judging process. The more you put into Achievers, the more you get out and I look forward to further developing the initiative in partnership with our wholesale members and suppliers in the future.” List of C J Lang and Son Limited wins is as follows: Best Retail Wholesaler – Delivered, sponsored by JTI CJ Lang Best Licensed Wholesaler – Off-Trade, sponsored by Foster’s Lager CJ Lang 2010 Champion of Champions, sponsored by United Biscuits CJ Lang