Top 50 - 2007

45. Y. Hata & Co., Inc.

Honolulu, HI
Year founded: 1903
President/CEO: Laurence Vogel
Website: www.yhata.com
2 distribution centers
1,500 accounts
65% commercial, 35% noncommercial
6,900 SKUs
90% national brands
10% group label
40% street accounts sales
22% multiunit accounts
COP & specialty products: Fresh meat, gourmet cheese, E&S.
Best innovation: With insurance and productivity costs in mind, launched an expanded and improved safety program that resulted in a 60% decrease in reportable (lost time) incidents, and a 90% decrease in days away from work due to accidents. With an eye toward safety and security, introduced 24-hour video surveillance of our warehouse and yard areas, beefed up our security locks, and deployed identification badges that double as electronic keys to secure areas.
Other news: In warehouse, increased chill storage, added more receiving doors, and upgraded all of materials handling equipment. In transportation, upgraded fleet to 3-compartment capability (freezer, chill, and dry), and implemented an in-house CDL driver-training program.
Fuel prices: Instead of passing on the expense as a fuel or mileage surcharge, we pursued increased margins wherever necessary.
High-tech operations systems: Continue to expand on a plan developed in 2004 to manage and take control of ocean freight rates from the continental U.S. to Hawaii, which has resulted in a continual lowering of our landed costs.
Key issues this year: Hawaii holds the distinction for the lowest unemployment rate in the U.S., and as a result, we are constantly challenged when recruiting qualified people for all positions, but especially CDL drivers, order selectors, merchandisers, and sales staff.

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#47 | Jordano's. Inc.

#46 | Jacmar Foodservice Distribution

#45 | Y. Hata & Co., Inc.

#44 | Costa Fruit & Produce

#43 | W. S. Lee & Sons, Inc.

#42 | Dierks Waukesha

#41 | Jose Santiago, Inc.

#40 | Yancey's Food Service

#39 | Cardinal Restaurant Supply (formerly Berner Foodservice)

#38 | DiCarlo Food Service

#37 | City Line Distributors

#36 | Goldberg and Solovy Foods, Inc.

#35 | HFM Foodservice

#34 | J. Kings Food Service Professionals, Inc.

#33 | Van Eerden Foodservice

#32 | Harker's Distribution

#31 | Banta Foods, Inc.

#30 | Upper Lakes Foods

#29 | Zanios Foods

#28 | Martin Bros. Distributing Co.

#27 | Hawkeye Foodservice Distribution, Inc.

#26 | Feesers, Inc.

#25 | Wood Fruitticher Grocery Co., Inc.

#24 | Pate Dawson Co.

#23 | Fox River Foods, Inc.

#22 | Merchants Foodservice

#21 | BiRite Foodservice

#20 | Cash-Wa Distributing Co.

#19 | C. A. Curtze Co.

#18 | Glazier Foods Co.

#17 | Nicholas and Co., Inc.

#16 | Perkins

#15 | Clark Foodservice, Inc.

#14 | Consolidated Companies, Inc.

#13 | IFH Foodservice Distribution

#12 | Labatt Food Service

#11 | IJ Co.

#10 | Cheney Brothers, Inc.

#9 | Shamrock Foods Co.

#8 | Ben E. Keith Foods

#7 | Maines Paper & Food Service, Inc.

#6 | Reinhart Foodservice

#5 | Food Services of America, Inc.

#4 | Gordon Food Service

#3 | Performance Food Group

#2 | U.S. Foodservice, Inc.

#1 | Sysco Corp.