Elk Grove Village, Ill., 2016-Dec-01 — /EPR Retail News/ — Topco Associates LLC announced today ( November 29, 2016) that Joliet, Illinois-based Central Grocers, Inc. has joined the cooperative, expanding its retail, wholesale and foodservice companies’ membership.
“I am excited for this strong retailer-owned wholesaler to join our membership,” stated Randy Skoda, Topco President & CEO. “We look forward to partnering together to help Central Grocers fulfill their mission of serving the true independent grocer in their local market,” he continued.
Central Grocers supplies popular grocers such as Strack & Van Til, Tony’s Finer Foods, Ultra Foods and Sunset Foods, and will participate in Topco’s Grocery, Dairy/Bakery, Meat, Deli, Produce and Floral programs. Topco expects to have the wholesaler fully transitioned by first quarter of 2017.
“Central Grocers is pleased to join the Topco family. Topco’s innovative approach to finding business solutions in the grocery industry will be of significant benefit to the members we serve in more than 500 independent grocery stores. We envision that their buying power will help us maintain customer-friendly pricing in our intensely competitive markets, while Topco’s expertise in quality assurance, packaging and sustainability will help us improve overall in-store efficiency,” said Ken Nemeth, President & CEO of Central Grocers.
Formed in 1917, Central Grocers, Inc. has grown to become a $2 billion, memberowned, grocery wholesale cooperative. The wholesaler supplies more than 500 independent retailers in the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana area with groceries, produce, fresh meat, service deli items, frozen foods, ice cream and is the exclusive distributor of the Centrella Brand.
About Topco Associates LLC
Topco Associates LLC is an over $15 billion, privately held company that provides aggregation, innovation and knowledge management solutions for its leading food industry member-owners and customers, including grocery retailers, wholesalers and food service suppliers. Topco leverages the collective volume, knowledge and commitment of these companies to create a competitive advantage in the marketplace by reducing costs and offering winning business-building capabilities. For more information, please visit www.topco.com.
Media contact:
Nancy Antol
847-329-3386
nantol@topco.com
Source: Topco Associates