For the fourth consecutive year, Tyson Food Service Group of Springvale AR received the top ranking in a survey polling members of the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) on the performance of 45 leading foodservice manufacturers. Tyson was honored as the 2009 IFDA Supplier of the Year during the IFDA Partners Executive Forum in Orlando FL recently.
“Each year, we survey the IFDA distributor membership and ask them to rate the effectiveness and performance of manufacturers that participate in the IFDA Partners Program,” said IFDA Chairman Mac Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of Pate Dawson Company, during the award presentation. “Our goal in presenting this award is to recognize exceptional manufacturer performance in working with their distributor customers.”
In accepting the award, Bernard Leonard, group vice-president, foodservice for Tyson Food Service Group, discussed the challenging economy and the importance of distributors and manufacturers working together to drive costs out of the system and to find solutions to support operator customers.
Along with Tyson Food Service Group, which received the highest score in the survey, IFDA also recognized McCain Foods USA and Ventura Foods LLC. McCain placed second in the survey and received its two highest marks in effectively conveying product information and in communicating advertising and promotional information. Ventura Foods, which placed third, was noted for conveying product information and being readily available to handle account issues.
For the 2009 survey, 45 suppliers were rated on their effectiveness in these business areas:
•Conveying product information.
•Working with the distributor sales force.
•Quality of sales training material.
•Communicating advertising and promotional information.
•Availability of company representatives for handling account issues.
