FWD has plans for a supply chain forum

The FWD is working on plans for a supply chain forum where wholesalers and suppliers can jointly tackle issues of mutual concern, it was revealed at the FWD Annual Conference.

Several speakers spoke about the need for such a body, and in his summing up at the end of the conference Palmer and Harvey managing director Chris Etherington (right), chairman of the FWD, told wholesalers and suppliers that they have "a great opportunity to get together" under the FWD banner and work in partnership to support their customers.

He said: "We have seen today the really exciting opportunity for FWD members to work with suppliers to understand what our customers want. We have to work together as a group to drive our businesses forward.

"The first question we must ask ourselves is, 'How do we make our customers more profitable?' The opportunity exists for a forum to bring us all together to answer this, and FWD is very close to being able to deliver it."

In his address to the conference, chief executive James Bielby said: "The FWD can be the linchpin between members and suppliers, the place where suppliers want to come and connect with members, looking beyond the trade agenda on non-competitive issues.

"We will harness the energies of wholesalers and suppliers, creating a framework for those with the appetite to think differently to develop a strategy for the whole trade."

l For more on the FWD Conference see pages 24-31