Edinburgh-Based Caterer Praises Long-term Relationship with Bidvest 3663
Albacore’s Nicola and Simon Harrison talk to CateringScotland.com about Albacore’s long relationship with Bidvest 3663.
Established in 1998, Albacore has grown into one of Scotland’s leading independent contract caterers. Led by Simon and Nicola Harrison, the company provides bespoke catering packages to organisations of all sizes and structure, employing highly skilled chefs and the freshest ingredients to produce the best quality dishes for their clients and customers.
Having worked with Bidvest 3663 since Albacore’s first year of trading, the company has built a strong relationship with Jon Mack and his colleagues: ‘The past 17 years have fostered a bond,’ explains Nicola (pictured)).
‘As one of Bidvest 3663’s larger independent customers, quality and consistency in all areas of the business are absolutely crucial, particularly with regard to our suppliers.
‘We’ve always used them for our frozen and dry-store goods because we can trust them to provide great value for money, strong management support, reliable deliveries, efficient telesales and continuous innovation when it comes to new products.
‘Moreover, their knowledge of our business means they can offer help and assistance in ways that unfamiliar suppliers aren’t able to. Without them, we wouldn’t be in as strong a position as we are today.’
Together with their team of chefs, operations managers and sales specialists, Albacore operate 28 contracts throughout Scotland, from Kelso and Edinburgh to Glasgow, Dundee and as far afield as Tain in the Highlands.
And, contrary to tradition when comparing suppliers, Albacore avoid focussing too closely on the cheapest possible option: ‘To us, relationships are as important – if not more so – than price,’ adds Simon. ‘We like to deal with the same people so they get to know us as a business, how we work and what we need. ‘We don’t like playing one supplier off against another, and I believe that long-term loyalty is far more important than merely searching for the lowest price; service and trust have equal weighting.’
Bidvest 3663: Sponsors of the CIS Excellence Business Innovation Award. Entries open 12th January 2015.
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