The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) announced the recipients of the 11th annual Distributor Awards, which acknowledges distributor leadership and overall excellence within the foodservice industry. US Foods, Ben E. Keith Foods and Bill Day will each be honored at the Distributor Awards ceremony during IFMA’s 55th annual Presidents Conference, co-hosted by the National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) in Phoenix, AZ, November 5-7.
“The 2017 outstanding distribution award winning recipients are the best of the best,” says Larry Oberkfell, president and CEO of IFMA. “Their performance has been recognized by the manufacturers as the new standard for our industry. Congratulations to all companies and their dedicated teams for a job well done!”
2017 IFMA Distributor Award Recipients:
US Foods receives the IFMA Excellence in Distribution Award. This award recognizes a corporate or independent distribution organization that has demonstrated excellence in the categories of management and leadership, customer relations, supplier relations and industry/community contributions. As one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, US Foods partners with approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With nearly 25,000 employees and more than 60 locations, US Foods provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, IL and generates approximately $23 billion in annual revenue.
US Foods was nominated by Sugar Foods Corporation.
Ben E. Keith Foods is awarded the IFMA Distributor Sales & Marketing Performance Award, which recognizes a single independent distributor or an individual operating company of a distributor with multiple locations that has demonstrated successful planning and execution of creative sales and marketing. Ben E. Keith Foods is a privately held broad line foodservice distributor based in Fort Worth, Texas. With eight distribution centers, and two manufacturing plants, Ben E. Keith Foods services 14 states in its footprint. Since 1906, Ben E. Keith Foods has strived to deliver quality products, consistent service to its customers and a commitment to its supplier partners and loyal employees.
Ben E Keith Foods was nominated by Georgia-Pacific and Ventura Foods.
Bill Day is named winner of IFMA’s Distinguished Industry Achievement Award, which recognizes leaders who have brought about positive change in the foodservice distribution community and have been pioneers in the areas of management, marketing and operations. Bill Day began his Sysco career in 1983 as a Staff Accountant with Sysco Memphis. By 2003, he was named Vice President, Supply Chain Management, at Sysco Corporate where he earned a well-deserved reputation for delivering strong business results and developing a highly motivated team. Day’s career continued to grow, and in 2010 he was named Executive Vice President, Merchandising, where his leadership was integral to the successful implementation of category management, and he continued to make important strides in sourcing and product innovation. Over his 34 years of dedicated service with Sysco, Day has contributed significantly to the growth of the industry. His success is marked by a deep-seated passion for people, focus on customers and suppliers, and love of the business.
