J.W. Filshill wholesales and distributes food, beverages and tobacco, including confectionary, snacks, soft drinks, groceries, beer, wine, and liquor to some 2,000 independant retailers. The company was founded in 1875 as a confectionary manufacturer, a business it divested in 1986 to concentrate on distribution. At one time it was a major cash-and-carry wholesaler, but now deliveries account for more than 85% of its business. While a warehouse fire and the loss of a major contract in mid-2005 hurt the company's profits, it intends to rebuild itself into a more efficient operation. Managing director Ronnie Hannah holds a controlling stake in the family firm.