Associated Food Stores, McLane Global Join Topco Associates LLC

SKOKIE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Topco Associates LLC announced today that Associated Food Stores, Inc. and McLane Global have joined the association, expanding its membership to 53 retail, wholesale and foodservice companies.

Were excited that Associated Food Stores and McLane Global are now Topco members, said Randy Skoda, Topco President and CEO. They are both outstanding organizations whose joining further enhances the collective strength of Topco and the membership. We look forward to working with them to help drive value for their companies and customers.

Associated Food Stores will participate in Topcos Pharmacy program, which now has 23 committed members representing more than $3.2 billion in sales volume. Independent retailer-owned Associated Food Stores is a warehouse based in Salt Lake City that provides complete warehouse facilities and services to nearly 500 grocers in eight western states.

In the grocery business, volume speaks, said Neal Berube, President and CEO of Associated Food Stores. By joining with the other Topco Pharmacy members, we are confident our member- and corporate-owned in-store pharmacies along with our other partners will experience a significant decrease in their cost of goods. We looked at many opportunities to partner and consciously made the decision that Topco would be our best pharmacy partner."

Houston-based McLane Global will take part in Topcos Frozen, Dairy/Bakery, HBC/GM and Not-for-Resale programs. McLane, which is an international trading group and global sourcing and logistics company, plans to develop its Lady Liberty food brand as well as its not-for-resale products and services through Topco.

Our Lady Liberty brand in the international market is competing with other well-known U.S. brands, said Mike Julian, Chairman and CEO of McLane Global. There is no escaping our U.S. heritage for quality and value, and being a member of Topco will help us live up to the markets expectations.

About Topco Associates LLC

Topco Associates LLC is an $11.6 billion, privately held company that provides aggregation, innovation and knowledge management solutions for leading food industry member-owners and customers. Topco leverages the collective volume, knowledge and commitment of these companies to create a competitive advantage in the marketplace by reducing costs and offering winning business-building capabilities.

About Associated Food Stores, Inc.

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Associated Food Stores, McLane Global Join Topco Associates LLC