HOUSTON, Feb. 18, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- SYSCO Corporation (NYSE:SYY), North America's largest foodservice marketer and distributor, has named six supplier corporations as 2007 Operations Suppliers of the Year, honoring Randall Manufacturing, Inc. as its Overall Operations Supplier of the Year for 2007. The honors were presented recently at SYSCO's recent Supplier Recognition Dinner which opens the company's Distribution Management Conference held in Houston, Texas each year.
The honors awarded include:
* Thermo King (Minneapolis, MN) - Transportation Capital Equipment 2007 Operations Supplier of the Year * Kimball Midwest (Columbus, OH) - Transportation 2007 Operations Supplier of the Year * Raymond Corporation (Greene, NY) - Warehouse Capital Equipment 2007 Operations Supplier of the Year * RefrigiWear Inc. (Dahlonega, GA) - Warehouse 2007 Operations Supplier of the Year * Orion Energy Services (Manitowoc, WI) - Facilities 2007 Operations Supplier of the Year * Randall Manufacturing, Inc. (Elmhurst, IL) - 2007 Overall Operations Supplier of the Year
The suppliers were chosen by SYSCO's operation personnel and graded on their ability to satisfy SYSCO's requirements in a cost effective and efficient manner. These six suppliers received the highest rating in their respective categories.
Thermo King, a unit of Ingersoll Rand Company Limited, was founded in 1938 and manufactures transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications, including trailers, truck bodies, buses, shipboard containers and railway cars. Thermo King developed the first portable refrigeration units in 1942 for troops stationed overseas in World War II. With their portability, these units made a significant difference in the field, as they enabled the soldiers to enjoy fresh foods and cold drinks while on the front lines. The units were also widely used in field hospitals to store temperature-sensitive drugs and blood plasma. Today, Thermo King is a global manufacturer supplying global markets. http://www.thermoking.com/tk/index.asp
The Raymond Corporation has been the leading designer and manufacturer of superior electric lift trucks for the warehousing and distribution industry. Having started as a family-owned business in 1922 and now as part of the Toyota Materials Handling Group, the largest lift truck manufacturer in the world, The Raymond Corporation continues to lead the North American materials handling industry. www.raymondcorp.com
RefrigiWear Inc. is the leading manufacturer of insulated industrial outerwear. For almost fifty years, they have supplied a wide range of industries with the garments and accessories needed to keep workers warm, safe and productive. RefrigiWear quilts, cuts and sews the majority of their garments, bags and covers. For more information about them visit their website at www.refrigiwear.com
Kimball Midwest is a family owned and operated distributor of high quality maintenance, repair and operations products since 1923. The company is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio with more than 600 professionally trained field sales personnel, regional sales offices and distribution centers located throughout North America. Today, Kimball Midwest is a major force in the industrial and fleet maintenance aftermarket with the ability to provide over 38,000 parts from its regularly stocked inventory. www.kimballmidwest.com/KMDefault.aspx
Orion Energy Services has been an industry leader in product innovation and development in energy and lighting fields since 1996. Orion's technology optimizes energy efficiency and maximizes lighting throughput at every facility. Orion revolutionized the industry with the development of its High Intensity Fluorescent Technology Platform. Orion's superior technology, advanced controls and its vision of the future have helped the company earn the business of many well-respected and successful companies throughout the United States. For more information about them visit their website at www.oriones.com/home.html
Randall Manufacturing is a manufacturer of temperature controlled products for use in refrigerated vehicles and industrial and refrigerated warehouse applications. Products manufactured by Randall for refrigerated vehicles include bulkheads, center divide systems, insulated covers and bags, and fully assembled vinyl strip doors and curtains. For more information about them visit their website at www.randallmfg.com
SYSCO is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers that prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. For the fiscal year 2007, the company generated $35.0 billion in sales. For more information about SYSCO visit www.sysco.com.
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