08.10.2011 Avendi celebrates 10 years birthday
On October 8th it was exactly 10 years since Avendi – currently one of the largest distribution companies in Bulgaria - was granted a license for trading wines and spirits and effectively started its operation.
Avendi – a company of VM Finance Group – has been one of the most dynamically developing companies in Bulgaria for the past decade. The company is recognized as market leader in marketing and distribution of consumer goods in the country. Starting with an annual turnover of €1.5 million in 2001, Avendi is going to reach €42 million turnover in 2011.
The international recognition for Avendi is measured not only in financial terms. We are proud that many employees who started their career in Avendi in 2001 are still working for the company, currently at senior positions, and some of them take management positions in various companies of VM Finance Group. Avendi believes in its employees, in their development, as well as in the future of Bulgarian business. Our focus on employees development was recognized by several awards of "Best Employer” both in Bulgaria and in Central and Eastern Europe according to international research performed by Hewitt Associates.
One of the greatest achievements in Avendi’s history is building a long term partnership with the biggest manufacturer of spirits in the world – Diageo – the owner of the brands Johnnie Walker , J&B, Bushmills, Smirnoff, Baileys and many others. Over these 10 years of collaboration, Bulgaria reached the status of the third-largest market for Diageo in Central and Eastern Europe (after Russia and Poland), and in 2001 Avendi set a precedent by receiving the award "Partner of the Year " for a second time. Long and successful has been the partnership between Avendi and Moet Hennessy, as well as the one with world famous Nestle Waters. In response to consumer demand, in 2009 Avendi started its wine division, which represents selected portfolio of both Bulgarian and imported wines. The company gradually has become the exclusive distributor of Villa Sandi, Bessa Valley, Blossom Hill, Vinex Slavyantsi and Chateau Burgozone.
Started in 2005, food division also reports high results and great success. Avendi became No.1 distributor of HIPP baby food for Central and Eastern Europe for 2010. For these 5 years of cooperation, Bulgaria has become the largest export market for HIPP in the Balkans - the amount of business has increased five times. The long standing partnership between Avendi and Kotanyi strengthened the position of the premium spices brand on the Bulgarian market.
The year in which Avendi celebrates its anniversary can be also defined as the year when the company took major steps in its long-term development. Avendi was selected as partner of Unilever Foodsolutions for Bulgaria and formed a new Foodservice division. At the same time the company took up the distribution of Groupe SEB household products (Tefal, Krups). In the recent months Avendi added portfolio of Crayola drawing products and the educational toys Thinkle Stars. Partnership with Nestle Bulgaria is also a fact - Avendi was selected as a national distributor of Nestle Purina (pet food) for specialized channels.
“The festive 2011 for us is proof of our stability and sustainability. As a company with 10 years experience we face challenges that every market leader faces in the area it operates. We are monitoring closely the changes in the market of consumer goods which will continue to consolidate both at retail and wholesale level. Our focus on Modern Trade shall continue and in parallel we are going to further develop our distribution in HoReCa and other specialized channels. Today Avendi is a company with a long-term vision, a clear business model and corporate governance that ensure its future” – says Jan Skvaril, Executive Director of Avendi Ltd.
