S&W Wholesale is celebrating three years as an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT) business, marking the milestone with continued investment in people and infrastructure aimed at strengthening service for retailers across the island of Ireland.
Since transitioning to employee ownership, the wholesaler says it has reinforced its market position while building a culture in which every team member has a direct stake in the company’s long-term success. Under the EOT model, the business is owned on behalf of its employees, supporting decision-making focused on sustainable growth.
Over the past three years, S&W Wholesale has introduced a range of employee benefits, including tax-free performance-linked bonuses, long service recognition awards, increased holiday entitlement and birthday leave for all staff. Alongside this, the company has invested more than £3 million in new equipment to improve operational efficiency and safety, while progressing plans for a new 180,000 sq ft multi-purpose site.
Anthony McVeigh, CEO of S&W Wholesale, said the initiatives reflect the company’s commitment to sharing success and reinvesting in its workforce.
“These initiatives introduced to our employees reflect the company’s belief that success should be shared, and that continuing to invest in our people has continued to drive better outcomes for our customers, the community, the sector and our supply partners,” he said.
S&W Wholesale said the new warehouse development and equipment upgrades will help future-proof the businessPhoto: S&W Wholesale
The ongoing investment programme is designed to enhance productivity, service reliability and capacity, ensuring S&W Wholesale remains a competitive partner for independent retailers. McVeigh added that the new warehouse development and equipment upgrades will help future-proof the business in a demanding wholesale environment.
“In a fast-moving and demanding wholesale environment, this investment will continue to support our consistent service standards, grow our entire business model while future-proofing S&W,” he said. “Employee ownership has also encouraged greater engagement and accountability, with teams more closely aligned to business performance and long-term goals.”
S&W Wholesale will mark the three-year anniversary with staff celebrations on Wednesday 28 January, bringing teams together to recognise their contribution to the company’s journey.
The wholesaler said its EOT model demonstrates how employee ownership can combine commercial growth with cultural strength, delivering benefits for colleagues, customers and the wider wholesale and retail sector.
Three years on, S&W Wholesale says its experience shows that when people are genuinely invested in a business, stronger outcomes follow for everyone involved.