ABC Celebrates Suppliers Of The Year

Top awards for excellence in people, products and service levels were presented during Allied Buying Corp.’s recent fall conference in Rosemont, Ill. Winning Suppliers of the Year (and runners-up) are:

• Smallwares: Spill Stop (Dexter Russell)
• Tabletop: Diversified Ceramics (Walco)
• Table Service/Buffet: Service Ideas (American Metalcraft)
• Light Equipment & Furnishings: Nemco Food Equipment (T&S Brass and Bronze)
• Heavy Equipment: Continental Refrigeration (Intermetro)

In a tribute to Tom Wilhelm, ABC’s retiring executive director, the group debuted a new award: the Tom Wilhelm Distinguished Supplier of the Year Award, voted on by ABC’s membership and given to the top overall supplier. The inaugural award went to Libbey Foodservice and The Vollrath Co., which tied for first place.

Based on excellence in professionalism, product-line knowledge, problem-solving ability and response to customer needs, Dennis Park of The Vollrath Co. and Karen Pierce of Libbey Foodservice each received the Supplier Sales Executive of the Year bronze lion award.

ABC will hold its 2014 Spring Conference April 29-May 2 at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey, Calif.