ALDI seeks suppliers for Southeast buying event

ALDI Inc., Batavia, Ill., will be hosting a supplier engagement event at the new ALDI Royal Palm Beach Divisional Distribution Center in Florida on Nov. 4 to meet with potential suppliers about the opportunity to become an ALDI partner, said Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM), a Solon, Ohio-based business innovation and technology company.

ALDI is working closely with ECRM’s Retail Group on the event, the company said. ECRM’s Retail Group was formed to take a strategic account approach with ECRM's Tier 1 retail clients that impact all ECRM’s category-specific events. Through the group, ECRM is able to develop individualized plans to help retail clients go to market faster and alleviate any of their daily challenges, whether those challenges are coordinating competitive line reviews or helping source new suppliers. The ALDI buying event is an example of such custom initiatives.

“We teamed up with ECRM because they have the experience, knowledge and tools to help us reach key suppliers in the Southeast,” said Josh Williamson, director of regional buying, ALDI. “We’re excited to work with ECRM to help us expand our reach in the region and seek new supplier partners that can provide our customers with high-quality products at everyday low prices.”

The event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., includes lunch and will feature a presentation from ALDI, testimony from a current ALDI supplier and an in-depth tour of the 650,000-square-foot Royal Palm Beach Divisional Distribution Center. The tour will allow potential suppliers to see how products are received, selected and shipped to stores. Attendees will also gain insight into the benefits of doing business with ALDI, its long-term approach to supplier partnerships and how to become an ALDI supplier, ECRM said.

At the conclusion of the presentation and tour, supplier-attendees will have an opportunity to participate in one-on-one meetings with ALDI buyers, the company added.

“ALDI takes great pride in its supplier-partner relationships and believes that longevity and trust in its business relationships are essential to ensure the high quality and reliability of the products it provides to customers,” Williamson said. “Becoming an ALDI supplier offers companies an opportunity to increase their sales by producing products under an ALDI exclusive brand, ensuring predictable, steady volume and excellent customer exposure. ALDI is looking to expand its supplier-partner relationships to manufacturers in Florida and the southeastern U.S. to support our growth.”

ALDI is looking for manufacturers of food and non-food products that could produce items included in its everyday assortment. ALDI stocks more than 1,300 of the most commonly purchased grocery items and, as it enters new markets, it seeks to carry a few high-volume, local favorites, as well, ECRM stated.

“ALDI works with the best suppliers to produce products for ALDI exclusive brands,” Williamson added. “Today, more than 90 percent of ALDI products are sold under our exclusive label. For this event, manufacturers with facilities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia are encouraged to attend.”

Suppliers interested in applying for the event may contact Brianna LaRose, retail director, ECRM, at 440-528-426, or via email at [email protected]