Crucial role of a commercial food distributor
Posted by karan saxena on September 25th, 2019
Specialty food distributors play a key role behind the workings of almost every restaurant and manufacturer. They can be termed as the unsung heroes of the restaurant industry, who do much more than calling up food producers or factory to stock the shelves. There are various types of food distributors, and each one offers unique benefits. If you are keen to fully understand the foodservice supply chain, it is important to understand the role of food distributors and types of distribution companies that operate in the new-age logistics landscape. The primary function of food distributors is to provide food and related items to food service operators. The related items include, things we need to consume food, such as cups, plates napkins, etc. The following are the two major functions of food distributors:
A. Marketing and selling: they are equipped to market and sell the products they carry to food service operators. They also put in marketing efforts which allows manufacturers to focus on their core competency and work in coordination with distributors as an intermediary, instead of having to manage associations with individual food service operators. Many larger distributors also provide marketing materials along with their merchandise, which can hugely complement food service operators.
B. Transportation and warehousing: distributors are mainly concerned with transporting products from manufacturers to food service operators. This paves the way for manufacturers to outsource their logistics without the need to manage dedicated fleets and invest heavily in logistics. Most large distributors run their own warehouses, while the smaller ones who operate locally, usually transport fresh products in refrigerated sprinters directly from the producer to the food service operator.
The different types of food distributors contribute in their own way to the food service operator with their individual services. The most crucial thing is, all food distributors aid manufacturers and food service operators by acting as an efficient intermediary between production and the end user.
Established in 1982, the Al Maya Group is a Dubai based conglomerate with multiple business verticals: the FMCG Distribution of Food and Non-Food Products, Processing Plants in India and other countries worldwide, and more than 90 retail stores in the UAE and GCC which includes Supermarkets, Borders and Paperchase.
