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AWG Wraps Merger With Affiliated Foods Midwest

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Last updated on March 25th, 2021 at 07:24 pm

Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) has completed its merger with Affiliated Foods Midwest (AFM).

With its first shipments to stores out of its newest divisions in Norfolk, Nebraska, and Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Oct. 23, the combined cooperative will operate singularly as AWG with more than 1,000 independent members. This combination of retailers makes AWG the largest wholesale grocery cooperative in the U.S., supplying groceries in 35 states. Coupled with the expanded retailer member base and geographic footprint, the combination enables AWG to expand its offerings to its retail members with the addition of a retail accounting subsidiary and a digital marketing subsidiary.

David Smith
David Smith

David Smith, AWG’s president and CEO, said, “From the moment Barry Queen (AWG’s board chairman) and I started our discussions with AFM’s President and CEO Martin Arter and his Chairman John Clarke we knew our companies were a great fit.”

This new region of AWG will be led by Arter.

“Marty is an extraordinary individual and he is the perfect leader for this new endeavor,” Smith added.

AWG says the merger allows it to better serve retailers in northern states such as North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

The expansion of our collective distribution areas into several new adjoining states where there remains a large number of independent grocers but few wholesale options is already paying dividends as retailers in those states are already making inquiries and asking how soon we can onboard new customers,” Smith said. With the current enthusiasm we are witnessing, our new Great Lakes Division in Kenosha may top $1 billion in annual sales sooner than we initially anticipated.”

The combination also allows AWG to expand its footprint west to service independent grocers in Wyoming and Colorado.

“We are so thankful for the support of our membership, our dedicated employees, and our fantastic vendor partners,” Smith said. “It takes all three of these constituencies working together in unison to become and remain successful. We have that going for us and believe that we will accomplish great things as we are truly stronger together.”

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