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History of unipro

To become the largest independent foodservice distribution network requires long-term strategic planning, distributor principals who recognize the advantages of group membership, the right mix  of products and a supplier community dedicated to providing our members and their customers  products of the highest quality and utility.

UniPro Foodservice is a result of an evolutionary process that has occurred over the years, led by industry professionals who had the vision to create an organization united in its mission and fully integrated in its resources.

A deliberate course of action was implemented, combining many of the industry’s most powerful buying groups to create a distributor cooperative that boasts over 800 members with over 900 locations serving more than 800,000 operators in all segments of the foodservice industry. The following timeline will chronicle the events that led to the creation of UniPro Foodservice, Inc. as it  is today:

 

1957 - In the earliest years of the foodservice industry, Nifda labels are introduced and include Nifda® Prime Pak, Nifda® and Chef Pak®.
1966 - A new buying group, CODE, Inc., enters the foodservice arena, marketing the Code® Elite, Code® Regal, and Code® Majestic labels.
  1966 - Foodservice operators are also introduced to the North American label.
 

1966 - Activity continues as the Nugget organization is founded and the Nugget label is introduced.

1986 - CODE, Inc. assumes distribution rights of the (now defunct) Embassy’s Lucky Boy label; changes name to EMCO Foodservice, Inc. to better represent their label offerings.
1988 - Nifda and North American merge to become ComSource.
  1988 - The North American label is redesigned and launched as the ComSource® Medallion, ComSource® Merit, and ComSource® Traditional labels.
1996 - EMCO Foodservice, Inc. and ComSource merge to become UniPro Foodservice, Inc.
  1999 - Nugget changes its name to Premier Foodservice Group.
 
2002
- UniPro Foodservice, Inc. and Premier Foodservice Group merge to create an organization with more than 300 member companies. Organization retains the UniPro Foodservice, Inc. corporate identity.
 
2009
- UniPro Foodservice, Inc. and Performance Food Group merge to become the largest foodservice distribution cooperative in the United States. The organization now comprises over 800 member companies and $60 billion in buying power. Organization retains the UniPro Foodservice, Inc. corporate identity.

 

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How unipro can benefit you

As a member of UniPro Foodservice, Inc., the nation's largest purchasing, marketing, and operating services organization for independent foodservice distributors, Dilgard can offer our customers the benefit of local, responsive service while providing access to thousands of products manufactured exclusively for foodservice operations.

UniPro's member owners comprise a group of 800 independent foodservice distributors, with more than 900 locations, who now represent the largest distribution network that offers cost-competitive alternatives and greater flexibility than our corporate distributor counterparts.


UniPro members recognize that in a competitive environment, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This solidarity enables us to leverage impressive purchasing volume in excess of $60 billion in collective sales resulting in competitive pricing for you.

Through UniPro, we can provide local market sensitivity with national clout; purchasing power, global sourcing, and an array of programs and services designed to enhance your bottom line.
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Membership in the UniPro cooperative provides Dilgard with access to programs and services unmatched in the industry. From technology assistance, to freight logistics, to internal sales and customer training, these programs and services provide UniPro members with the tools to maintain a competitive market position, assisting you in meeting your growth and profit aspirations.

Success in today's competitive business environment depends on quick response, business-building programs, and a competitive market position. We are committed to providing you the tools for success. Call us today!

Local Marketing Sensitivity with National Clout

As a UniPro member, we are independently owned and operated and committed to local market knowledge and responsiveness. This local market sensitivity will help you easily address your  day-to-day operating challenges without the burden of dealing with decisions made thousands of  miles from your market.

UniPro Foodservice, Inc. provides a complete line of quality foodservice products to all market segments. This assures you have the optimum variety of products at competitive prices from which to choose. We are committed to be your local market source for quality products and  services.

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Purchasing PowerUnipro graph

The UniPro organization is the nation’s foremost foodservice distribution network for the  industry’s leading national and private brands. This superior buying leverage assures that  the UniPro distributor owners maintain a competitive market position versus their corporate
competitors. This leverage is also reflected in the high standards of quality in every case of our  own controlled brands.

Global Sourcing

UniPro purchases worldwide from more than 500 manufacturers. This guarantees we cover all  your menu needs. UniPro members also source products from a number of UniPro redistribution  warehouses nationwide. This gives you the greatest variety and guarantees quick access to quality foodservice products.

Programs and Services

Membership in the UniPro cooperative provides Dilgard with access to programs and services unmatched in the industry. From technology assistance, to freight logistics, to internal sales and customer training, these programs and services provide UniPro members with the tools to maintain a competitive market position, assisting you in meeting your growth and profit aspirations.

Success in today’s competitive business environment depends on quick response, business building programs, and a competitive market position. We are committed to providing you the tools for success. Call us today!

Link to Operators Edge Dilgard Frozen Foods Inc., Food Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Fort Wayne, IN

 

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Procurement

One of the advantages of belonging to a large, national foodservice distribution network is the collective purchasing volume leveraged with our approved suppliers. These programs are negotiated on behalf of the UniPro membership by a staff of foodservice category managers who have a proven track record. Each manager is completely focused on their particular category to ensure that they stay abreast of the most current trends, market fluctuations and new product introductions. UniPro's Procurement Department comprises the following core categories: Dry Grocery, Canned, Refrigerated, Frozen, Center-of-the-Plate, Disposables, Nonfoods, and Equipment & Supplies.

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Quality assurance

UniPro Foodservice, Inc. employs a staff of foodservice professionals dedicatedto maintaining
the discriminating standards set forth for all products distributed by UniPro member companies. The Quality Assurance Department is active in the development, implementation and ongoing maintenance of UniPro’s proprietary brands, and works in conjunction with our approved suppliers to ensure their products meet our stringent requirements.

Every approved UniPro supplier is required to have on file an acceptable contract that indemnifies and holds UniPro harmless from product liability resulting from their products. We also require that each supplier provide us with a Certificate of Insurance, which names UniPro Foodservice, Inc. as an additional insured. 


In the unfortunate event that a manufacturer decides to remove their products(voluntarily or otherwise) from the market, UniPro's Quality Assurance Department, has implemented a comprehensive Recall Policies and Procedures process as a service to our members and their customers.

This process includes product shipped from supplier to UniPro Foodservice member, as well as product shipped through the UniPro Foodservice redistribution system. The total responsibility of all communications, regarding any recall, resides within the UniPro Foodservice Quality Assurance Department. The assigned head of the recall has primary responsibility. This includes all communication with the media and any governmental agency. 

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