Franz Haniel & Cie. is a five-headed hydra. The holding company is comprised of a handful of operating divisions -- Celesio, CWS-boco, ELG, TAKKT, and METRO -- each of which specializes in a different core business. Haniel derives the bulk of its sales from distributing pharmaceuticals to pharmacies worldwide through drug wholesaler Celesio. Its other divisions offer washroom and workwear products and services; stainless steel scrap recycling; mail-order of office and warehouse equipment; and retail store operations. Haniel has operations in some 30 countries. Members of the Haniel family have controlled Franz Haniel and Cie. GmbH company since its founding in 1756.

Wakefern Food is the largest member-owned wholesale distribution cooperative in the US, supplying groceries and other merchandise to a chain of more than 200 ShopRite supermarkets in five eastern states, including parts of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The company supplies both national brands and private-label products (ShopRite, Chef's Express, Readington Farms) to its member stores; Wakefern also offers advertising, merchandising, and other business support services. The co-op, which boasts more than 40 members, was founded by seven grocers in 1946.

Sysco Corporation, through its subsidiaries, markets and distributes a range of food and related products primarily to the foodservice industry in the United States. It distributes a line of frozen foods, such as meats, fully prepared entrees, fruits, vegetables, and desserts; a line of canned and dry foods; fresh meats; dairy products; beverage products; imported specialties; and fresh produce. The company also supplies various non-food items, including paper products, such as disposable napkins, plates, and cups; tableware comprising china and silverware; cookware consisting of pots, pans, and utensils; restaurant and kitchen equipment and supplies; and cleaning supplies. Sysco Corporation offers its products to restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes, schools and colleges, hotels and motels, lodging establishments, and industrial caterers. As of June 27, 2009, it operated 186 distribution facilities serving approximately 400,000 customers. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Zunicom, Inc., through its subsidiary, AlphaNet Hospitality Systems, Inc., provides business communication services to the hospitality industry. It offers The Office, a ‘self serve’ credit card activated business center, which enables guests to use the PC, and access the Internet and e-mail, as well as print, copy, fax, and scan; and LapTop Connect that enables hotel guests to connect their laptop computers to high speed Internet access points located in the business center. Zunicom company offers its products under The Office, Laptop Connect, and GuestPrint trademarks. It sells or places its product line to chain/management companies and individual properties. Zunicom, Inc. was founded in 1968 and is based in Dallas, Texas.

Kinray, one of the US's top private wholesale drug distributors, won't be independent much longer. The company provides generic, branded, and repackaged drugs, health and beauty products, medical equipment, vitamins, and diabetes-care products to 2,000 independent pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and specialty pharmacies along the Eastern Seaboard. Kinray also offers about 800 private label products under the Preferred Plus Pharmacy brand. The firm was founded in 1944 by sole owner and CEO Stewart Rahr's father, Joseph Rahr. The younger Rahr took over in 1975 and has since turned the company into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. However, in 2010 Kinray agreed to be acquired by Cardinal Health.

Commerce Energy, Inc. is a leading United States electricity and natural gas marketing company. In 2008, Commerce Energy was acquired by Universal Energy Group. Following that, in 2009, Universal Energy Group was acquired by Just Energy Income Fund. Commerce Energy is run by an experienced and entrepreneurial team of energy marketers who have over 100 years of combined experience in the energy industry. With over 600,000 customers, it's the fastest growing natural gas and electricity marketing company in North America. We focus on helping customers manage their energy costs through aggressive pricing strategies and marketing programs. Our incredible growth is largely the result of the experience, drive and entrepreneurial spirit of our senior management team, combined with the effectiveness of our sales force. We seek ways to work collaboratively and we treat our employees and our customers fairly in every market.

DPI Specialty Foods West is a regional operating division of wholesale food distributor DPI Specialty Foods. The unit supplies ethnic and specialty food products to supermarkets and other retailers in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and parts of two other Western states. DPI West distributes more than 17,000 products, including baked goods, deli meats and cheeses, kosher foods, and organic products. Illinois-based DPI serves customers in more than 20 states.

Alliance Boots is a leading international pharmacy-led health and beauty group offering a wide range of products and services to our customers. Working in close partnership with manufacturers and pharmacists, our two core business activities are pharmacy-led health and beauty retailing and pharmaceutical wholesaling. Through our daily actions and operations, our teams play a significant role in contributing to the overall improvement of healthcare in the communities we serve. We are proud to work within such a unique sector, helping millions of consumers and patients look and feel their best. Alliance Boots is privately-owned and employs over 115,000* people. Its wholesale and distribution network serves over 150,000* pharmacies, doctors, health centres and hospitals from over 360* pharmaceutical wholesale distribution centres in 16* countries. We operate more than 3,250* health and beauty retail stores in ten* countries, of which just under 3,150* have a pharmacy.

United Natural Foods, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, distributes natural, organic, and specialty foods, as well as non-food products in the United States. It carries approximately 60,000 products, consisting of national brand, regional brand, private label, and master distribution products in 6 product categories: grocery and general merchandise, produce, perishables and frozen foods, nutritional supplements, bulk and food service products, and personal care items. The company serves approximately 17,000 customer locations primarily located across the United States, which include independently owned natural products retailers, supernatural chains, conventional supermarkets, and food service centers. Its other distribution channels include international mass market chains and buying clubs. The company also owns and operates natural products retail stores. As of August 1, 2009, it had 13 natural products retail stores located primarily in Florida. In addition, the company engages in the international importing, roasting, packaging, and distribution of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and snack items. It sells these items in bulk in its own packaged snack lines, EXPRESSnacks, Woodfield Farms, and Woodstock Farms, as well as through private label packaging arrangements. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island.

Affiliated Foods Midwest Cooperative is a wholesale food distribution cooperative that supplies more than 800 independent grocers in some 15 Midwestern states. From its handful of distribution centers in Kansas, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, the co-op distributes fresh produce, meats, deli items, baked goods, dairy products, and frozen foods, as well as general merchandise and equipment. It distributes goods under the Shurfine brand (from Topco Associates) and IGA labels. Additionally, Affiliated Foods Midwest provides marketing, merchandising, and warehousing support services for its members. The cooperative was formed in 1931 to make wholesale purchases for a group of retailers in Nebraska.

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