Bidfood (formerly known as 3663, Bidvest 3663 and Bidvest Foodservice) is a Foodservice Wholesaler and

distributor A distributor is an enclosed rotating switch used in spark-ignition internal combustion engines that have mechanically timed ignition. The distributor's main function is to route high voltage current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs ...

based in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

. The BFS Group Limited was a wholly owned subsidiary of Bidvest, an international services, trading and distribution company listed on the

JSE Securities Exchange JSE Limited (previously the JSE Securities Exchange and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange) is the largest stock exchange in Africa. It is located in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, after it moved from downtown Johannesburg in 2000. In 200 ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. It is now a wholly owned subsidiary of BidCorp, also listed on the JSE. BidCorp, the Bid Corporation Limited, is the holding company of the Bidvest Group Limited.

History

BFS Group, trading as Booker Foodservice, was originally owned by

Booker Group Booker Group Limited is a British food wholesale operator and subsidiary of Tesco. In January 2017, it was announced that the British multinational supermarket retailer Tesco had agreed to purchase the company for £3.7 billion. It was confirm ...

, having been formed through a series of acquisitions and mergers. In May 1999 Booker sold the company to Bidvest Group, in November of that year the company was re-branded as 3663, with the slogan "First for foodservice". The name "3663" spells "food" on a telephone keypad and is pronounced "three double-six three". In 2003 BFS Group acquired Swithenbank, a fruit and vegetable supplier based in Bradford, and Wilson Watson, a catering equipment supplier which was subsequently rebranded as 3663 Catering Equipment. In 2009 the company acquired Giffords Fine Foods. In 2010 the operations of the company were separated into two distinct divisions, 3663 and Bidvest Logistics. In 2011 the 3663 brand was re-branded with a new logo, vehicle livery and slogan, "inspired by you". In June of that year Inverness Farmers, a local wholesaler in the Highlands of Scotland which had started as a milk supplier, was acquired. In July 2012 BFS Group acquired Oban-based wholesaler Forteith Foodservice, a family run partnership which operated in the Argyll area. In October South Lincs Foodservice, a wholesaler operating in Lincolnshire, was fully acquired, after purchasing a minority holding earlier in the year. In September 2012 the acquired businesses of Giffords Fine Foods and Swithenbank were merged to form Swithenbank Fresh & Fine Foods, to operate as a single fresh produce division within 3663. In February 2014 3663 was re-branded as Bidvest 3663. In July 2015 Bidvest 3663 was re-branded as Bidvest Foodservice, meaning the "3663" name ceased to be used in any branding by the company after more than 15 years of use. On 16 February 2016, Bidvest Foodservice announced it would change its name to Bidfood. The change follows the separation of the global Bidvest Foodservice businesses from the Bidvest Group, when it listed independently on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in May last year. The change took effect from 3 April 2017. The listing meant that Bidvest Foodservice UK, along with the other Bidvest Foodservice businesses around the world, have all changed their name to Bidfood reflect this.

Operations

Bidvest Foodservice

The Bidvest Foodservice division of the company operates as a foodservice wholesaler supplying fresh, frozen, ambient and non-food products to customers in a wide range of sectors within the foodservice and catering industry; including local authorities, NHS trusts, defence contractors, hotel and restaurant chains as well as many independent operators in the hospitality industry. Bidvest Foodservice operates a fleet of around 850 temperature-controlled delivery vehicles, delivering fresh, chilled, and frozen goods out of 23 depots, and 4 regional distribution centres across the United Kingdom. It has 5 major offices across the country.

Bidvest Logistics

Bidvest Logistics provides distribution and supply chain services to larger operators in the foodservice industry, including many well-known restaurant and fast-food brands.

Gallery

Bidvest 3663 SN06 HHZ (17198670092).jpg,

DAF LF The DAF LF is a range of light/medium duty trucks produced by the British manufacturer Leyland Trucks. It is a redevelopment from the Leyland Roadrunner of 1984. The LF45 and LF55 are powered by Cummins B Series engines. The distribution truck an ...

in the 1999-2010 3663 livery 3663 SN06 HJJ (9325605731).jpg, DAF LF in the 2010–2015 3663 livery, including a "landscape" made up of various food products Bidvest Foodservice SN63 RDY (24636296991).jpg,

DAF CF The DAF CF is a range of trucks produced since 1992 by the Dutch truck manufacturer DAF Trucks NV. Originally launched as the 65, 75, and 85 series (from 1992 through 1997), they were renamed the CF range in 1998. Most left-hand drive DAF trucks a ...

in the 2015- Bidvest Foodservice livery Bidvest Logistics DAF CF (10610001903).jpg,

in the Logistics livery

References

External links

*
Official website
{{Authority control Logistics companies of the United Kingdom Catering and food service companies of the United Kingdom