US Foods Announces 2012 Vendor of the Year Award Winners

ROSEMONT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--US Foods, one of the country’s most innovative food companies and leading distributors, today announced the winners of its annual vendor recognition awards. During a ceremony in Rosemont, Ill., six companies out of more than 3,000 vendors took home top honors and were named as the best US Foods suppliers.

“This is one of the most important and enjoyable events we host each year because it recognizes success and excellence—that often elusive, always magical combination that only results from hard work, innovation and commitment”

“This is one of the most important and enjoyable events we host each year because it recognizes success and excellence—that often elusive, always magical combination that only results from hard work, innovation and commitment,” said Pietro Satriano, chief merchandising officer, US Foods. “Our dedicated vendors deliver the products and services that make US Foods and our customers more successful. Congratulations to this year’s winners for setting the standard for quality and excellence in our industry.”

More than 60 US Foods divisions and support offices participate in the selection process. This year’s awards included several new categories, including the inaugural Innovation award which honors excellence that is transforming the foodservice industry, and the ‘Easy to Do Business With’ award, which features suppliers who focus on collaborating with US Foods to enhance value for customers.

Six companies were recognized for their superior performance in the following categories:

• Innovation – Stevison Ham
• Easy to Do Business With – Wells Enterprises
• Produce – Lipman Companies (formerly Custom Pak)
• Non-foods, Beverage and Bakery – Handi-foil of America
• Grocery and Dairy – Cargill DSO
• Center of the Plate – Patrick Cudahy

Vendors were evaluated on a variety of criteria for each individual award. The six category awards focused on variety of metrics, including sales growth, gross margin improvement, merchandising support, product quality, divisional sales support and logistics.

Past winners of US Foods’ annual Vendor of the Year include National Beef, PepsiCo FoodService, Pilgrim’s Pride, Campbell’s Foodservice, Windsor Foods, ACH / Tone’s, Reser’s Fine Foods, Michael Foods, Tyson Foods and Trident Seafoods.

About US Foods

With more than $20 billion in annual revenue, US Foods is the 10th largest private company in America. As one of America’s great food companies and leading distributors, US Foods is Keeping Kitchens Cooking and making life easier for more than 250,000 customers, including independent and multi-unit restaurants, healthcare and hospitality entities, government and educational institutions. The company offers more than 350,000 products, including high-quality, exclusive brands such as the innovative Chef’s Line, a time-saving, chef-inspired line of scratch-quality products, and Rykoff Sexton, a premium line of specialty ingredients sourced from around the world. US Foods also showcases its innovative food culture through The Scoop, a quarterly launch of new, on-trend products designed to make customers more successful. The company proudly employs approximately 25,000 people in more than 60 locations nationwide. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and jointly owned by funds managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Discover more at www.usfoods.com.