It was 1939 when Robert Tetu founded Manchester Wholesale Distributors Inc., a supplier of paper goods and food products to the convenience store and food service industry. Located in Manchester, the company had continued supplying those same types of products to the convenience stores, which make up 80 percent of his customer base, and to hotels, restaurants and schools, which made up the remaining 20 percent. Now, close to 70 years later, that mix appears to be changing.
Jack Courtney vice president sales and marketing for Manchester Wholesale Distributors, says the convenient store industry is changing with the dramatic drop in cigarette and tobacco product sales.
There are two important reasons that this revenue source has dropped off, he says. People have cut back [smoking] because of health reasons and tobacco is so heavily taxed, people can't afford it.
As convenience stores look for more items to replace their tobacco product sales, they are turning to distributors to provide prepared sandwiches, pizza, soups and salads, products which fit the needs of restaurant and hotels too. And that is changing the customer mix for businesses like Courtney's.
We are changing the culture, we want to be 50 percent C store [convenience store] supplier and 50 percent food service supplier, says Courtney. We are a champion and a partner of New Hampshire-made products, we have had huge success with New Hampshire products."
Courtney adds that Manchester Wholesale is also a supplier of gluten-free products and he says the company is striving to meet the changing health and product needs on the industry.
If you are a niche guy in America, there's a lot of money to be made, he says.
To find out more about Manchester Wholesale Distributors, visit a food show they will be hosting a food show at the Capitol Center for the Arts on October 7th from 10 am to 4 pm.
Current Issue - May 2024