We'd like to extend our gratitude to each and everyone who attended Achievers Awards 2024. It was an honour to have you all join us in recognising and celebrating the innovation and achievements within our industry.

As a fantastic start to the new year we'd like to extend a warm welcome to our new members, joining us in our shared journey of excellence and growth within the wholesale industry. 

At the SWA, we're committed to cultivating an environment where businesses thrive. Whether you're a longstanding member or just beginning your partnership with us, know that you're part of a community dedicated to your prosperity.

Following our Chief Executive’s Public Procurement evidence session in the Scottish Parliament yesterday morning, Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, met with Colin Smith and Jayne Swanson, Head of Public Affairs at SWA, to discuss the wholesale sector’s outlook for 2024.

Chief Executive, Colin Smith, gave evidence yesterday to the Economy and Fair Work Committee and who are taking evidence as part of their post legislative scrutiny of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. Following views garnered from SWA members, Colin shared the key issues around some of the challenges the wholesale sector face in trying to deliver the aims of the bill.

 

Wholesale has been in the spotlight at Holyrood at a Scottish Wholesale Association Parliamentary Reception – attended by MSPs across all parties. The event was staged to celebrate the importance and resilience of the Scottish wholesale sector and help politicians to gain greater understanding about all channels of Scotland’s food and drink sector

Two case studies have been produced by the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) to help the wholesale sector highlight and understand what is needed to decarbonise transport fleets and achieve net zero, with one focusing on HGVs and the other sharing wholesalers’ journey to decarbonise their car fleets.

Scottish Wholesale Association has facilitated a visit by Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, to its member JW Filshill’s distribution centre in Renfrew.

A new directory for the Scottish wholesale food and drink sector has been created by the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) to help local and regional producers connect with wholesalers that can work with them to find new routes to market.

Entries for the 2024 SWA Achievers Awards are 20% up on the previous event with many wholesalers who have not entered the competition before taking part.

The Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) has set out ambitious plans to reach net zero by 2040, in time for Scotland’s net-zero target of 2045, in a new report, ‘Decarbonising the Scottish Wholesale Sector’, which explores the sector’s carbon emissions and attitudes to climate action.