The Most Improved Supplier award was so closely contested in this year's Advantage Trade Benchmark Survey that two winners were chosen: Taylors Wines and Bacardi-Martini Australia.
Their achievements were honoured at the 2019 Australian Drinks Awards, held at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Sydney on August 22.
The Drinks Association has been commissioning Advantage Australia for the past decade to conduct the annual Trade Benchmark Survey, which provides members with favourability ratings and qualitative retailer feedback from the off trade, on premise, wholesale and outlets channels.
The Most Improved Supplier award was introduced in 2018 to celebrate suppliers who have successfully set and executed a plan of improvement and been acknowledged by retailers for improving their professionalism and delivery across the entirety of their commercial relationship.
Steve Andrews, Advantage General Manager VIC/QLD/SA, said: "The Drinks Association Most Improved Supplier award was very close this year, and we are pleased to congratulate our joint winners Taylors Wines and Bacardi-Martini.
"Advantage applauds all the award winners, in particular those suppliers who were recognised by their retailer partners as developing best-in-class business relationships through strategic collaboration, consistently delivering on commitments and working well together to grow categories."
The Most Improved Supplier Award was sponsored by ALM.
ALM Chief Executive Officer Chris Baddock said: "Congratulations to Taylors and Bacardi-Martini on securing the Most Improved Supplier award for 2019, it was thoroughly deserved.
"Every organisation strives for improvement in performance, so it is a real honour to be recognised among your peers as having made the greatest gains. It was a privilege for ALM to have put our name to this award, and to have played a role in the success of the 2019 Australian Drinks Awards."
ALM's Rod Pritchard added: "ALM remain a strong supporter of the Advantage survey, as it represents the ideal vehicle to provide constructive two-way feedback with our suppliers, which ultimately benefits all parties."
Advantage Australia is looking forward to working with Drinks Association members in the coming months on the more detailed aspects of their business relationships.
Pictured main: Advantage Australia's John McLoughlin, Taylors Wines' Mitchell Taylor, Bacardi-Martini's Mauricio Vergara and ALM's Chris Baddock.