Former senior drinks industry executive Scott MacDonald (pictured) has launched a new consultancy specifically designed to help suppliers better understand the needs of their route-to-market customers and vice versa.
MacDonald, who has more than 15 years’ experience in the FMCG marketplace working with Anheuser-Busch InBev provides a consultancy service for businesses seeking the commercial expertise of a third party which allows them to avoid the costs associated with a permanent resource.
His west of Scotland-based consultancy, 1-2-1 Business Solutions, offers suppliers and manufacturers first-hand insight into ways of improving their operational effectiveness and revenues across the supply chain. MacDonald’s main focus is working with wholesalers and suppliers alike to help them drive sales and profits by adopting a collaborative approach.
“My aim is to provide an opportunity for companies to acquire step-changing insight into how they could improve the way they operate and do business within the wholesale, specialist and convenience channels,” explained MacDonald. “My knowledge of how suppliers operate makes me ideally placed to help both them and their customers re-evaluate their businesses.
“Reducing costs is also crucial and I am keen to help companies focus on areas such as consumer insight and business planning.”
MacDonald’s firm is already working with a number of leading Scottish route-to-market operators including Dundee-based CJ Lang and Son, which owns over 100 Spar stores and supplies 300-plus independent Spar outlets. He is also collaborating with JW Filshill, the Glasgow-based wholesaler, to drive its newest venture, Craft Beer Clan of Scotland.
Other clients include licensed trade wholesaler Inverarity Morton, Batleys Scotland and the fast-growing Glasgow-based pub and restaurant group, Kained Holdings.
MacDonald said: “I believe that 1-2-1 Business Solutions is unique in the market and my breadth of experience such that I can provide a comprehensive service across the supply chain, helping suppliers build better relationships with their customers.”
In addition to his consultancy business, MacDonald is an Associate Consultant with Ross & Brown, the west of Scotland retail, food and drink consultancy, and a Non-Executive Director of Eclipse Breaks, a coach holiday specialist based in central Scotland.
MacDonald also offers one-to-one mentoring and business coaching, and was recently inducted as business mentor volunteer with The Prince’s Trust in Scotland.
