Sir, May I put some perspective on your article 'Bestway looks at wholesale acquisitions' (The Grocer, 20 November)?
Firstly, the challenges of acquisition and disposal affect private family companies at least as much as the more high-profile public companies, and owners are at liberty to accept or reject overtures and consider their options at any time, and the CJ Lang decision is that a sale best suits its business needs.
The fact that Landmark members' businesses are flourishing in these difficult times means that they are an attractive prospect to others and is a tribute to the strength that comes from Landmark membership.
Second, I am assured that your story regarding United Wholesale is utterly untrue, and since this assurance comes directly from the principals at that business, I believe it to be fact.
Journalistic speculation is a fact of life but when it names and identifies a specific business I would expect a very high duty of care from a highly regarded publication like The Grocer. In this instance the story has caused serious and damaging discussion among staff, customers and suppliers at United Wholesale.
Third, and by no means least, I also find unacceptable an assertion from an unnamed source that were this to come to pass it would leave Landmark without any members in Scotland. We are extremely proud of our excellent Scottish representation: we have JW Gray, McMillans of Stranraer, Sher Brothers, Sutherland Brothers, Forteith Foodservice and William Yule, as well as the aforementioned United Wholesale, all of whom were based in Scotland on the last occasion I looked at a map.
I ask that this lapse of journalistic accuracy is not repeated and that you make clear Landmark's continued and highly successful Scottish representation.
Steve Parfett, chairman, Landmark Wholesale
Firstly, the challenges of acquisition and disposal affect private family companies at least as much as the more high-profile public companies, and owners are at liberty to accept or reject overtures and consider their options at any time, and the CJ Lang decision is that a sale best suits its business needs.
The fact that Landmark members' businesses are flourishing in these difficult times means that they are an attractive prospect to others and is a tribute to the strength that comes from Landmark membership.
Second, I am assured that your story regarding United Wholesale is utterly untrue, and since this assurance comes directly from the principals at that business, I believe it to be fact.
Journalistic speculation is a fact of life but when it names and identifies a specific business I would expect a very high duty of care from a highly regarded publication like The Grocer. In this instance the story has caused serious and damaging discussion among staff, customers and suppliers at United Wholesale.
Third, and by no means least, I also find unacceptable an assertion from an unnamed source that were this to come to pass it would leave Landmark without any members in Scotland. We are extremely proud of our excellent Scottish representation: we have JW Gray, McMillans of Stranraer, Sher Brothers, Sutherland Brothers, Forteith Foodservice and William Yule, as well as the aforementioned United Wholesale, all of whom were based in Scotland on the last occasion I looked at a map.
I ask that this lapse of journalistic accuracy is not repeated and that you make clear Landmark's continued and highly successful Scottish representation.
Steve Parfett, chairman, Landmark Wholesale
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