Long-established Dundee-based CJ Lang & Son has been named the best wholesale business at the prestigious Scottish Wholesale Achievers awards.
The showpiece event organised by the Scottish Wholesale Association recognises professionalism and excellence across all sectors of the industry in Scotland.
CJ Lang owns 120 Spar stores and supplies a further 200 independent Spar outlets north of the border. It fended off stiff competition to win the Champion of Champions award, sponsored by tobacco firm Philip Morris.
The family-owned company also lifted the Best Symbol Group and Best Delivered Operation categories, sponsored by soft drinks firm Cott and Imperial Tobacco UK respectively.
It was runner-up in Best Marketing Initiative at Achievers sponsored by Taylors of Harrogate for its ‘Shop & Win’ campaign to drive footfall in its customers’ Spar stores.
Judges pointed to CJ Lang’s “passion and commitment to their business”.
Karen Murray, regional sales manager at Philip Morris, said: “The market is very competitive in Scotland, and this year’s champion of champions displayed a great winning mindset throughout, demonstrating best practice in many areas.
“This wholesaler is clearly always looking to improve its business.”
Kate Salmon, executive director of the Scottish Wholesale Association, commented: “This is an outstanding result for CJ Lang, one of our sector’s leading independent, family-owned business.
“The company has set a very high benchmark for our industry, and we should all be inspired by its desire to keep on improving standards.”
“CJ Lang has shown that it is not afraid to embrace change by adopting new technologies and using them to its best advantage. It is a wholesaler that is bold and confident about the future of our industry, and that truly is something to celebrate.”
Almost 500 people attended the Achievers gala dinner and awards presentation, hosted by broadcaster, columnist and TV presenter Cat Cubie at the Sheraton Grand, Edinburgh.
In its business CJ Lang & Son celebrated a modest increase in turnover last year and said the outlook for the next 12 months is positive.
Despite continued difficult trading conditions, the Spar Scotland convenience store supplier’s revenue crept up 0.9% to £194.7 million due to opening more stores.
The expansion accounted for an increase in operating costs, which rose 0.7% to £151m.
The fall in pre-tax profit reduced, and in the last year it was down 11% at £1.12m, less than the previous year’s 36.3% fall to £1.26m.
Based in Dundee since 1919, CJ Lang & Son is Scotland’s largest independent retailing and distribution company.