United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) is the largest publicly-traded wholesale distributor to the natural and organic products industry. Corporate headquarters? Dayville, Connecticut.
Steve Spinner is president and CEO.
Recent UNFI operating results:
"Total sales grew 17.4% to $864.2 million. Net of our specialty business, which is not included in our 2008 results, sales grew 10.1% to $811.1 million. Our sales growth was driven primarily by our sales to independent retailers and conventional supermarket channels which grew by 11.5% and 56.2% respectively.
"Net of specialty, conventional supermarkets grew at 7.6%. As a percentage of our business in the quarter, super naturals were 31.9%, supermarkets 19.8%, independents 42.9%, and food service 2.8%."
No small potatoes.
Distribution operations are divided into five units: UNFI, Eastern Region; UNFI, Western Region; Albert’s Organics; Select Nutrition; and UNFI Specialty Distribution Services. In addition to distribution operations, divisions include Blue Marble Brands, the Natural Retail Group and Hershey Import Company.
The company distributes throughout the United States and to more than 40 other countries. With more than 60,000 products, the company supplies some 17,000-plus customers nationwide, including natural foods chainstores, independent natural products retailers, and conventional supermarkets.
Keeping ahead of the pack in energy and green building, UNFI has installed solar electric sytems on the rooftops of Dayville and California distribution centers.
"The 1.19 megawatt solar panel array at our Rocklin (CA) facility generates more than 1.5 million kilowatt hours of clean energy annually. The 550 kilowatt solar panel array on the roof of our Dayville (CT) distribution center generates more than 600,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy annually."
UNFI will in Palm Beach at the convention center for the UNFI Southeast Regional Tabletop Trade Show Jan. 21 and 22. For the story behind the company's germination and growth, see this link.
Photo of UNFI truck picking up goods is from Paul's Grains, "chemical-free cereal and flour."
