About ECD

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Who are we? With Members in twelve countries, from Finland to Italy and the United Kingdom to Romania, the ECD is with its strong Membership a committed partner in supply to the Foodservice sector, not only in the individual countries, but also internationally. Our European wholesale trade group is not only the group with the largest number of Members, but it also has the widest international coverage.

The measure of our success as a group results from the individual commitment within each national head office, and the international strength through centralisation of purchasing and marketing. The wholesaler enterprises in each country are run by highly motivated owners. Particularly, in a market where customer service is most important, a personal commitment to ensuring the highest performance standards is vital.

Meeting customer needs and expectations consistently and uncompromisingly are the key elements of successful entrepreneurial performance. The results of the ECD, and the continued growth of the individual national businesses, prove that the market appreciates this concept. The future progression and the safeguarding of these business dynamics are taken into consideration by the ECD in a consistent approach to the group’s organisational goals.

The positive motivation of all parties in group consultations is paramount in order to protect the long term interests of the group, its Members and its suppliers.

Within the group’s international strategy and development, there is a clear recognition of the importance of national and regional product requirements. These are variously fulfilled by branded products, exclusive labels and own brand assortments designed to meet the specific needs of the individual customers served by each of the Members.

The ECD is a large purchasing group within the market. However, it regards its size not to be the most important factor, but instead uses its strength to influence and bring about change and innovation. Meeting the changing requirements of the individual customer creates a strong working relationship between our Members and their customers, who typically cover the whole spectrum of Foodservice.

The ECD has a well established set of operational criteria, providing guidance for the activities of the European group, and also for the individual Members within each of the fourteen countries. One of these guidelines is perhaps suited best to outline the objectives and activities of the group. “The ECD Members are partners whose objective is to consistently improve upon, and assure the highest standards of service to all sectors of Foodservice from restaurants to the cost sector.”