Topco expands relationship with Western Family member-owners

Topco Associates LLC, Elk Grove Village, Ill., said Western Family member-owners expanded their relationship with Topco. Under a new agreement, Topco will assume the procurement and marketing services for Western Family’s own-brand products, including the Western Family, Shurfine, Natural Directions and ShurSaving brands.

This agreement results in expanded relationships with the following members that carry these brands:

• Affiliated Foods Inc. (Amarillo, Texas)
• Associated Food Stores, Inc. (Salt Lake City)
• Associated Grocers of New England Inc.
• Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Company Inc.
• Olean Wholesale Grocery Cooperative Inc.
• Unified Grocers Inc.
• URM Stores Inc.

Western Family Foods, headquartered in Tigard, Ore., has been purchasing health and beauty care products from Topco on behalf of its seven member-owners for more than three years, Topco noted. Broadening this participation into additional programs is the next evolution of this relationship with Topco.

“This expansion further enhances the collective strength of Topco and the membership, and we look forward to working with these member-owners to help drive increased value for their companies and customers,” said Randy Skoda, president and CEO, Topco.

Ron King, president of Western Family Foods, also pointed to the benefits of the expanded relationship.

“Topco’s experience, coupled with their economies of scale, will be a benefit to our independent retailers, making it easier for them to remain competitive while continuing to offer the same quality Western Family products consumers have trusted for over 50 years,” he said.