Williamson Food Service in Inverness is all about relationships
We often shout about the restaurants, cafés and local producers in the area for the food cooked and the number of tables booked.
But what about the businesses behind the scenes that keep pantries stocked up and hunt down those all important artisan products? Williamson Food Service does just this! And it has recently been recognised for all its hard work after winning the supply chain of the year award at the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards 2022.
For Williamson Food Service managing director Gary Williamson winning this award is a testament to the hard work of his team and their dedication to delivering excellent results.
He said: “You are judged by your peers for this award - so for them to recognise what my team do on behalf of our customers validates what we set out to do as a business and a team.
“The award is for the team. It’s not an award you buy so the value is very high to us.”
Part of the success of Williamson Food Service is its relational approach to its clients, by ensuring each customer is kept up to date with the best value products in what is currently a very temperamental market.
“We look at what alternatives are for clients if there is an inflationary rate on something particular”, said Gary.
“We are going through a real unusual period at the moment which is outwith the industry’s control - so it is about being honest with clients and making sure we get them what they need.”
Williamson Food Service employs 114 people between Inverness, Glasgow and Stornoway which enables them to have access to a European market of food, and deliver to clients on demand.
For Gary his favourite part of the job is the people aspect of it. He said: “When we are serving another business, they are serving someone in turn. We know that we are part of what their offering is to the visitor to the Highlands.
“We are taking a lot of Highland products and putting it in front of the international visitor, so we make that a primary focus of what we do.
“When our sales grow we know we are doing something right, and that is a good feeling for us and my team thrive off knowing that.
“When someone buys a Stornoway Black Pudding in a restaurant it’s nice to know that we were able to supply them that, and they are getting to experience a taste of Scotland.”
