ON THE ROAD
First Choice celebrates 20 years
Last month, catering spares supplier First Choice Group opened the doors of its Cannock headquarters for its 20th anniversary customer open day.
F
ounded in 1999, First Choice Group has since come to hold what is said to be the UK’s largest stock of OEM spare parts. On 14 June the firm held its open day to celebrate this success and thank its customers for their continued support.
The day began with a champagne reception and networking, before long-standing managing director John Whitehouse welcomed attendees to the company’s Lakeside Suite, where he delivered a presentation detailing First Choice Group’s history and its ambitions for the future. The business had modest beginnings, with a turnover of £134,000 in its very first year – this now exceeds £30m. It was acquired by PT Holdings – parent company of US OEM distribution giant Parts Town – in 2017, and saw growth of 12% in 2018.
Now with 854 active suppliers and over 20,000 customers, First Choice Group operates from its Cannock base which is minutes from the M6 and features office spaces, a trade counter, a spacious warehouse and fully-equipped training
facilities. Looking to the future, Mr Whitehouse explained: “We’re now aiming to be a £50m company.”
Mr Whitehouse also discussed the launch of the new First Choice Group app, which provides customers with real-time stock availability and pricing, plus the ability to check out online. Additional features include voice recognition, webchat, a barcode scanner, manuals, and a 360-degree parts spin to aid product recognition.
After lunch and time for coffee and further networking, First Choice Group’s national sales manager, Neil Vincent, held the raffle and awards ceremony, thanking particularly long-standing customers and suppliers for their loyalty. Among the winners were JLA, which received the Partner Innovation Award; Advent Catering Equipment, which won the Customer Development Award; and Electrolux, which received the Most Outstanding Supplier Award. Finally, guests were invited on a tour of the state-of-the-art First Choice Group premises.
14 July 2019
www.acr-news.com
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