Marsh Signs Supply Deal With C&S

SN STAFF

INDIANAPOLIS — Marsh Supermarkets here will abandon self-distribution and turn over the supply of its stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers, Keene, N.H., both companies said Monday.

C&S will manage purchasing, inventory management and distribution to all 97 Marsh locations. Marsh operates stores under three different banners in Indiana and Ohio.

"We are confident that with this change in the direction of our business Marsh will be better positioned to offer enhanced shopping experiences for our customers," said Joe Kelley, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Marsh. "We can now focus our full attention and resources on upgrading our current fleet of Marsh stores as well as expanding into new locations by opening new stores or acquiring other supermarkets."

He said C&S would hired 250 former Marsh workers as it takes over distribution and logistics for the chain.

Michael Newbold, executive vice president of corporate development at C&S, said the wholesaler is "very excited about its further expansion into the Midwest and its ability to service new and existing customers from the Indianapolis distribution centers."

Marsh is privately owned by Boca Raton, Fla.-based Sun Capital Partners.