The award was announced at SPAR International's annual Suppliers' Roundtable held in Amsterdam on 19 November 2009. Toyota was awarded one of only two accolades, taking the category of non-saleable products.
"The service level that SPAR International has enjoyed from Toyota Material Handling Europe played a major role in this year's award," said Gordon Campbell, Managing Director of SPAR International. "Toyota won because it has increased its business with SPAR steadily over the past couple of years and topped it with this year's super performance," he continued. "Toyota has distinguished itself with high-quality products, backed up by fast, reliable service and excellent communication between our organisations," he concluded.
SPAR International is a unique voluntary chain in which wholesalers and retailers work together under one name. Founded in 1932, SPAR International has grown into a strong global organization with 12,600 stores in 33 countries under four retail formats (SPAR, EUROSPAR, INTERSPAR and SPAR Express). The group draws more than 10 million customers daily and with global turnover of more than ?27 billion per year.
Jonathan Morris, TMHE Director European Key Accounts said: "We are very honoured to be recognised as Supplier of the Year by SPAR International. Toyota Material Handling Europe is dedicated to being a reliable business partner - particularly in today's challenging market. Our relationship with SPAR underscores the benefits of such partnership - for our customers as well as our organisation."