Tops Markets Enters Into Distribution Agreement with C&S Wholesale

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. - Frank Curci, president and CEO of Tops Markets LLC, and Rick Cohen, CEO of C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc., jointly announced on Tuesday that their companies have signed a letter of intent to enter into a distribution agreement.

C&S, one of the nation's leading grocery warehouse distribution companies, delivers groceries to approximately 4,000 independent supermarkets, major supermarket chains, mass marketers and wholesale clubs throughout the Northeast. The company operates distribution facilities in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

Tops? distribution network includes its distribution center in Lancaster, N.Y., its frozen distribution center in Cheektowaga, N.Y., and its Ohio distribution center in Maple Heights, Ohio. All three properties are to be included in the deal.

"This transaction is a win-win for both companies, especially for the warehouse and transportation employees," Curci said. "Our agreement with C&S allows Tops to focus on our store operations, which we strongly believe will make us an even better company in the communities where we serve our valuable customers. The distribution employees in Lancaster, Cheektowaga and Northeastern Ohio are joining a company with significant expertise that also is experiencing significant growth in the grocery warehouse distribution industry."

"Purchasing the warehouse distribution facilities from Tops made good business sense for expanding our operations," Cohen said. "We look forward to growing the business in both Western New York and Northeast Ohio. We know that Tops is a well-run company with an excellent management team. This made Tops a good fit in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement for purchasing these state-of-the-art distribution facilities that we believe will make C&S a stronger and more competitive company."

Thomas Diedzic, president of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 264, which represents the Lancaster warehouse's workforce, said he is optimistic that the warehouse distribution facilities in Western New York will continue to provide union workers with good paying jobs and continued opportunities for growth and advancement.

Tops Markets LLC is one of six retail operating companies under Ahold USA. Tops currently operates 151 Tops Friendly Markets, 212 convenience stores under the Wilson Farms, Sugarcreek and Tops Xpress banners, and eight B-Kwik Food Markets in New York, Pennsylvania and northeast Ohio.
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