From the Express Seminar: Suppliers of the Year Honored

Express vendors and managers celebrated top suppliers for their support of service members during an award luncheon Wednesday.

Exchange leaders presented Supplier of the Year awards to five vendors for their support in bringing a taste of home to the military community worldwide, including:

Frito-Lay

Frito-Lay collaborated with the Exchange HQ team and Express store managers to generate $34.85 million in sales and $11.5 million in gross margin in 2022—increases of 7.4% and 14% compared with the previous year.

Frito-Lay representatives accept their award for Supplier of the Year in the consumables category. From left: David Arens, divisional merchandise manager; Martha Robuck, consumables vice president; Frito-Lay representatives; Karen Cardin, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer; Eric Sidman, senior vice president, merchandising; and Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, senior enlisted advisor.

Hunt Brothers Pizza

Hunt Brothers Pizza expanded operations to 14 Express stores in 2022, bringing the total store count to 87.
In 2022, Hunt Brothers accounted for $29 million of the $32.6 million generated by Express quick serve programs.

Hunt Brothers Pizza representatives accept their award for Supplier of the Year in the consumables category. From left: David Arens, divisional merchandise manager; Hunt Brothers Pizza representatives; Martha Robuck, consumables vice president (in back); Karen Cardin, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer; Eric Sidman, senior vice president, merchandising; and Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, senior enlisted advisor.

Swedish Match

Swedish Match generated $13.2 million in sales in 2022—a 59.9% increase compared with the previous year.

Swedish Match representatives accept their award for Supplier of the Year in the consumables category. From left: Martha Robuck, consumables vice president; Danielle Pelland, divisional merchandise manager; Swedish Match representatives; Karen Cardin, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer; Eric Sidman, senior vice president, merchandising; and Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, senior enlisted advisor.

Anheuser-Busch

In 2022, Anheuser-Busch contributed more than $1.5 million through promotional events including samplings, demonstrations, giveaways and Clydesdale visits for the military community.
The team also supported installation events including air shows, golf tournaments, festivals and more.

Anheuser-Busch representatives accept their award for Supplier of the Year in the consumables category. From left: Martha Robuck, consumables vice president; Danielle Pelland, divisional merchandise manager; Anheuser-Busch representatives; Karen Cardin, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer; Eric Sidman, senior vice president, merchandising; and Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Osby, senior enlisted advisor.

Mars (not pictured)

Mars was the Exchange’s top supplier of everyday candy in 2022, accounting for 26.2% of that line of business.
The supplier achieved a $2.1 million increase in sales over 2021.

Other Express partners were given a letter of thanks and gratitude for their contributions at the Army Ten-Miler, Commanders’ Classic, Army-Navy Game and more in 2022, including:

3grams Food Group (U.S. Air Force Marathon and Army Ten-Miler)
4505 Meats (Commanders’ Classic and Army-Navy Game)
Amplify Snack Brands (Commanders’ Classic)
Blue Diamond (Commanders’ Classic and Army-Navy Game)
Conagra Brands (Commanders’ Classic and Army-Navy Game)
Country Archer (Commanders’ Classic and Army-Navy Game)
EURPAC Service, Inc. (U.S. Air Force Marathon, Army Ten-Miler, Commanders’ Classic, Army-Navy Game Bonfire and Army-Navy Game)
Gourmet Nut (Commanders’ Classic, Army-Navy Game bonfire and Army-Navy Game)
Hippeas (Commanders’ Classic and Army-Navy Game bonfire)
Jack Link’s (Commanders’ Classic and Army-Navy Game)
LesserEvil (Commanders’ Classic and Army-Navy Game)
Lotus Bakeries (Army-Navy Game)
Oberto Snacks (Commanders’ Classic)
Old Trapper (U.S. Air Force Marathon, Army Ten-Miler, Commanders’ Classic, Army-Navy Game bonfire and Army-Navy Game)
OSCWEBco (Commanders’ Classic, Army-Navy Game bonfire and Army-Navy Game)
Performance Inspired Nutrition (U.S. Air Force Marathon and Army Ten-Miler)
SNAX-Sational Brands (Commanders’ Classic and Army-Navy Game)
Solely (U.S. Air Force Marathon, Army Ten-Miler and Commanders’ Classic)