Talk:Foodservice distributor

message: This article is correct to name Dot Foods as the United States' largest food redistributor; but, frankly, naming Sysco in that same category is incredibly misleading (if not ridiculous).  Most, if not nearly all of the small and local distributors that buy LTL quantities would not buy from Sysco, as that scenario is almost laughable.  I doubt that Sysco would even extend such LTL distributors reasonable credit terms.  That's in addition to that these smaller distributors would be competing for customer accounts against Sysco.  So, what person, in their right mind, would think that a small distributor would be able to buy LTL product from Sysco; then, go to sell that product as a competitor against Sysco, while having either the same or better pricing as that so-called re-distributor?  
It's already hard enough for a LTL distributor to compete on broadline products against Sysco, even when it buys from Dot Foods and other suppliers. Most of these smaller distribributrors have specialty or exclusive product lines, to which they merchandise these other broadline products to either substantiate a minimum order or allow convenience.
Sysco is the nation's largest foodservice supplier, operating in (presumably) all 50 states, as well as Canada; whereas, it's not only known as a fierce competitor to small distribution businesses, but also to the mid-sized broadline distributors that merely have regional sales areas.  
At that, many insiders to this industry do not consider Sysco as a "friendly" competitor; but more so as a hostile, dominating, if not predatory, competitor.  Arguably, this company has maintained its dominance through strategic acquisitions of smaller companies, from region to region across the United States.   In addition to such insider gossip, Sysco has been named in well known anti-trust lawsuits, which is seemingly reflective (or confirming) the many accusations made against this company from across the states.  See here, "Sysco not in talks to settle U.S. lawsuit to stop merger -lawyer" by Reuters writer Diane Bartz, published by CNBC as of Friday, 20 Feb 2015 | 3:30 PM ET:  Reutershttp://www.cnbc.com/id/102443248
As a further side note, it can even be pointed out that Sysco has been found for unfair labor and business practices; which, in other words, the company has "cut corners" to give itself that competitive edge.  See Wikipedia's own article for Sysco, mentioning "Scandal regarding unrefrigerated drop sites."  
These are not old issue… you can still see current relevance at the Facebook Page known as "Protecting Sysco & US Foods Workers," where these issue are still being posted and receive ongoing chat. https://www.facebook.com/SyscoUSFworkers
Unlike Sysco, Dot Foods does not make sales to end-user clients, such as restaurants, hospitals, in-plant feeders and so on.  In that sense, to even put these two companies in the same category is absurd.  Dot is a true redistributor, only selling product to other smaller (LTL) distributors, to which it does not have competition in end-user (operator) accounts. A core principle of redistribution is not competing with the customer for end-user sales, whether a retail outlet or consumer. 
What is more, Dot is probably one of the nation's only, well-established broadline or multi-category redistributors specializing in multi temperature distribution; although a few others have since developed into that category.  By many, Dot Foods is considered the pioneer at marketing the term "redistributor" to describe a distributor exclusively engaged in Business to Business wholesale sales. 
There are indeed several other redistributors across the nation, as well as in Canada; but, many of them specialize in specific product lines (categories) and in some instances focus on specific channels of distribution.  For example, Houston's Inc., was not historically as broadlined as Dot Foods, but carried lots of kitchen wares, bakery items, bar supply, etc. They primary serviced the northwest into California and the western states, expanding from there into multi-state sales.  Sultana Distribution Services Inc. is a national redistributor that specializes in Confectionery & Snack products.
Ca.papavero (talk) 23:01, 10 April 2015 (UTC)
thread_title:  Names of Other Redistributors; Role of Sysco in the Marketplace 

message: It occurs to me that this article is currently preoccupying itself with only Foodservice distribution, which suffices for now; but, frankly, I notice that there's no mention here of retail or grocery store food distribution.  What is more, there appears to be no separate article on the topic of retail food distribution, either.  At that, I'm not sure it should be separate, although I'm sure that it should be mentioned.   After all, there are some distribution companies that carry both grocery store (retail) and foodservice (wholesale) product lines, although the overall food distribution industry has traditionally kept these two branches separate in most regards. The two branches of distributors may share some product lines, pack types and unit measures, etc.; but, generally it's the customer base that keeps things differentiated, as well as that the sales product list can have a varied emphasis.  Where the line of differentiation tends to blur more, is at the manufacturing and brokering levels; whereas, those entities must deal with both user ends as they seek to deliver product through the distribution network.  So, in terms of the overall Wikipedia project that relates to the Food Industry, I think that this must become articulated.  And made a priority.  
Furthermore, as a side note, I also notice that there's no article for "food broker," which is indeed a typical and well-recognized profession within the industry.  I intend to launch that article now. Ca.papavero (talk) 09:01, 19 April 2015 (UTC)
thread_title:  Food Distributor (general), versus foodservice distributor (specific)