Palmer & Harvey McLane and Booker have divided the spoils of Key Lekkerland as the buying group prepares to be wound down at the end of the month.
The two rival wholesaling giants have each picked up nine of Key Lekkerland’s national accounts, while Key Lekkerland’s third member, Scottish wholesaler JW Filshill, has taken one.
P&H has gained control of Key Lekkerland’s accounts with Roadchef, bingo company Gala, and the National Union of Student Shops. It has also taken over accounts with: Lindley Catering, which serves 40 football grounds across the UK; Leisure Power Purchasing, a buying group for independent leisure operators; university catering organisation SNUPI; hospital shops run by healthcare organisation Attend; bowling centre chain Bowlplex, and Quix convenience stores. Booker, meanwhile, has taken Key Lekkerland’s cinema accounts, including Odeon, Empire, Apollo, Showcase and Reel. It has also picked up the account for Blockbuster, Walkers Snack Services, Intervend and Harrison Catering Services.
JW Filshill has taken over Key Lekkerland’s account with The University Caterers Organisation in Scotland, but the wholesaler will also continue to develop Key Lekkerland’s symbol fascia KeyStore north of the border.
The national accounts had been split amicably, said Key Lekkerland managing director John Liptrot.
“So far everything seems to be running smoothly, with an efficient and professional handover of the accounts,” he said. “The transfer is set to be completed by 31 August.”
The buying group’s Rugby central office was also preparing to close its doors, he added. The marketing department closed two weeks ago and several members of staff from the national account department left yesterday.
Administration staff were due to finish work on 29 August and the credit control department would be wound down by the end of September. Liptrot, who has worked in wholesaling for more than 30 years, said he would stay on to the end of October to complete the winding down process.
The two rival wholesaling giants have each picked up nine of Key Lekkerland’s national accounts, while Key Lekkerland’s third member, Scottish wholesaler JW Filshill, has taken one.
P&H has gained control of Key Lekkerland’s accounts with Roadchef, bingo company Gala, and the National Union of Student Shops. It has also taken over accounts with: Lindley Catering, which serves 40 football grounds across the UK; Leisure Power Purchasing, a buying group for independent leisure operators; university catering organisation SNUPI; hospital shops run by healthcare organisation Attend; bowling centre chain Bowlplex, and Quix convenience stores. Booker, meanwhile, has taken Key Lekkerland’s cinema accounts, including Odeon, Empire, Apollo, Showcase and Reel. It has also picked up the account for Blockbuster, Walkers Snack Services, Intervend and Harrison Catering Services.
JW Filshill has taken over Key Lekkerland’s account with The University Caterers Organisation in Scotland, but the wholesaler will also continue to develop Key Lekkerland’s symbol fascia KeyStore north of the border.
The national accounts had been split amicably, said Key Lekkerland managing director John Liptrot.
“So far everything seems to be running smoothly, with an efficient and professional handover of the accounts,” he said. “The transfer is set to be completed by 31 August.”
The buying group’s Rugby central office was also preparing to close its doors, he added. The marketing department closed two weeks ago and several members of staff from the national account department left yesterday.
Administration staff were due to finish work on 29 August and the credit control department would be wound down by the end of September. Liptrot, who has worked in wholesaling for more than 30 years, said he would stay on to the end of October to complete the winding down process.
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