On 4th and 5th June 2025, the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) held its highly anticipated annual conference at Ardoe House, Aberdeen, under the theme “Kaizen: Continuous Improvement in a Thriving Scottish Wholesale Channel.”

SWA chief executive Colin Smith said: “By using Kaizen as our theme, and incorporating that into our panel sessions, we hope to provide a platform for some robust and lively conversations which will provide food for thought which will make everyone think a little differently about their approach to their business model, and how they collaborate with colleagues and customers.”

This event gathered leaders, experts, and professionals from across the wholesale sector and its supply chain to explore how the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen—meaning “change for the better”—can shape the future of wholesale trade in Scotland.

Kaizen, with its five core principles, was at the heart of the conference’s discussions. The event focused on how continuous improvement can drive progress in key areas such as digitalisation and artificial intelligence, workplace diversity, sustainability, value creation, and competitiveness, both today and in the years to come.

A standout moment of the conference was the keynote presentation by António Costa, Global CEO of Kaizen Institute. Drawing on over 25 years of global experience in continuous improvement and operational excellence, António emphasised that success in food and drink wholesale doesn’t happen from the sidelines—you must engage with reality and take action. He explained how Kaizen methodology can transform businesses by streamlining operations, reducing waste, and leveraging technology and AI for greater efficiency. António also highlighted the critical role sustainability and competitiveness play in ensuring long-term success, underlining that continuous improvement is a powerful driver for the industry’s future.

Further practical insights were delivered during the session “Go to Gemba – Making it Happen in Your Business,” where António Costa, alongside Christopher Scott and Daniel Mendes from Kaizen Institute, shared real-world examples and hands-on tools to help attendees apply Kaizen principles in their own companies. This interactive session focused on the concept of Gemba, the actual place where value is created, illustrating how small, incremental improvements can accumulate to produce significant and sustainable results over time.

The conference also featured engaging panels and presentations that covered vital topics including the creation of value through sustainable local supply chains, innovative talent retention strategies, and the growing impact of AI and data analytics on the food wholesale sector.

Overall, the SWA Conference 2025 reinforced a clear message: continuous improvement is not just achievable but essential for the resilience and growth of Scotland’s wholesale industry.

As António Costa reminded attendees, “Kaizen only works with action. Commit to one small change—and take the first step.”

The SWA Conference 2025 was more than a forum for ideas—it was a catalyst for action. And with each small step forward, the Scottish wholesale sector moves closer to a more resilient, dynamic, and collaborative future.