HOUSTON, Oct. 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY), North America’s leading foodservice distribution company, recently honored its suppliers that met or exceeded the company’s exacting standards as part of the 2016 Sysco Supplier Excellence Awards program. The awards, presented at an industry dinner in Houston, recognize the commitment, support and partnership of suppliers by category and area of accomplishment.

Recipients of Sysco’s 2016 Supplier Excellence Awards were chosen from more than 1,300 eligible suppliers worldwide. Winners were selected based on key business performance measures as prescribed by Sysco’s U.S.-based distribution companies and the company’s corporate Merchandising, Quality Assurance and Supply Chain departments.

Michael Foods Inc., headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., was recognized as Supplier of the Year, Sysco’s top supplier recognition, and awarded for the highest level of performance in areas such as sales growth, profitability, Sysco Brand sales and overall support of Sysco and its customers. Michael Foods’ President and CEO, Jim Dwyer, along with Michael Elliot, Vice President and General Manager of the Commercial Business Group, accepted the award.

The complete list of 2016 Top Supplier Awards (not in ranked order):

Gold Supplier Award recipients:

Product Category:   Company:
– Grocery & Commodities   Conagra Foodservice
– Poultry   Butterball
– Beverage   Coca-Cola North America
– Beef   Cargill
– Foodservice Supplies   Handgards, INC.
– Dairy   Michael Foods, Inc.
– Seafood   Devi Seafoods
– Bakery & Convenience   Campbell’s Foodservice
– Produce   The Garlic Company
– Canned Goods   Red Gold, LLC
– Frozen Fruits, Vegetables & Potatoes   Bonduelle Americas
– Pork   JBS

Additionally, several Gold-level specialty category winners were named, including:

  • Supply Chain Partner Award – Alpha Baking Company, Inc., of Chicago, Ill., for collaborating with Sysco to improve Sysco’s end-to-end supply chain, including inbound purchase order fill rates, market freight rates, pick-up allowances and availability, and overall support and participation in Sysco Supply Chain initiatives;
  • Sustainability Partner Award – Sea Watch International, Ltd., of Easton, Md., for emphasizing the importance of a responsible supply chain to enhance Sysco’s corporate social responsibility goals;
  • Cutting Edge Solution Award for Innovation – National Frozen Foods Corporation of Seattle, Wash., for creating a unique, differentiated and exclusive product solution for Sysco customers;
  • Emerging Supplier Award – Barfresh Food Group, Inc., of Beverly Hills, Calif., for clear commitment to sales growth and developing strong relationships with Sysco associates and customers;
  • Heritage Award for Diversity – Mann Packing Co., Inc., of Salinas, Calif., for meeting and exceeding Sysco’s expectations set forth for minority, women-owned and diverse supplier partners; and
  • Broker of the Year – KeyImpact Sales & Systems, Inc. of Odenton, Md., for high-level performance in the areas of case growth, target close rate, and overall support of Sysco operating companies and their Sysco-dedicated team. This is the first year Sysco has awarded the Broker of the Year award.

Silver Supplier Award recipients:

Product Category:   Company:
– Grocery & Commodities   Sovena USA
– Poultry   Mountaire Farms
– Beverage   Red Bull
– Beef   Tyson Fresh Meats
– Foodservice Supplies   Ecolab
– Dairy   Schreiber Foods, Inc.
– Seafood   High Liner Foods
– Bakery & Convenience   Alpha Baking Company, Inc.
– Produce   Mann Packing Co., Inc.
– Canned Goods   Pacific Coast Producers
– Frozen Fruits, Vegetables & Potatoes   Conagra Foodservice
– Pork Heritage (Diversity)   Fresh Mark, Inc.
County Fair Food Products

Bronze Supplier Award recipients:

Product Category:   Companies:
Grocery & Commodities   Lyons Magnus, PepsiCo Away from Home, McCormick for Chefs, Stratas Foods, Bay Valley Foods, a Treehouse Foods Company
     
Poultry   Sanderson Farms, Inc., Mar-Jac Poultry, Inc., George’s, Perdue Foods LLC, Koch Foods
     
Beverage   Nestle Waters North America, Keurig Green Mountain Inc., PepsiCo Away from Home
     
Beef   JBS Swift Beef, American Foods Group, Lower Foods Inc., Dan’s Prize
     
Foodservice Supplies   PACTIV, Heritage Bag Company, NCCO, WNA
     
Dairy   Saputo, Leprino Foods Company, Wells’ Enterprises Inc., Land O’Lakes, Inc., Emi Roth USA, Inc.
     
Seafood   Beaver Street Fisheries, Inc., Arista Industries, F.W. Bryce, Inc. Nissui Global Links Company, Trident Seafood Corporation, Paul Piazza & Son, Inc.
     
Bakery & Convenience   General Mills Convenience & Foodservice, Rich Products Corporation, Flowers Bakeries, McCain Foods, Dianne’s Fine Desserts, Inc.
     
Produce   Tanimura & Antle, Potandon Produce, Church Brothers Farms
     
Canned Goods   Agro Sevilla-U.S.A., Inc., Lakeside Foods, Inc., Oregon Cherry Growers, Traina Foods, Teasdale Foods
     
Frozen Fruits, Vegetables & Potatoes   Penobscot McCrum, McCain Foods, Simplot Food Group, National Frozen Foods Corporation, Jasper Wyman & Son
     
Pork   Clemens Food Group, Tyson Foods Inc., Nathans Famous, Hormel Foods Corporation
     
Heritage (Diversity)   Ruiz Food Products

About Sysco
Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. The company operates approximately 200 distribution facilities serving approximately 425,000 customers. For fiscal year 2016 that ended July 2, 2016, the company generated sales of more than $50 billion. For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoCorporation or Twitter at https://twitter.com/Sysco.

CONTACT: Media Contact:
Neil Russell
Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications
281-584-1308