Gilmours Tauranga is a local Foodservice wholesale business supporting the wider Bay of Plenty area with a beautiful purpose-built store in Tauriko and a fleet of 18 trucks delivering to the wider BOP region. Gilmours Tauranga has been owned and operated for the past eight years by a dedicated and hardworking local couple, Jason and Sharon Morrissey.
Jason and Sharon have deep roots in the community, with some of their children attending local schools and now working for local businesses in Mount Maunganui.
For Jason and Sharon, being a part of the community’s success is what makes their business so special.
“We love our region, community, beaches, and the hospitality options” they say. A true family business, hospitality and Foodservice is part of their DNA. Jason has over 20 years’ experience in the food industry starting as a chef and then sales manager of a hospitality equipment supplier. While at that supplier he discovered the opportunities Foodstuffs could offer. His Foodstuffs journey to ownership began by working and learning in supermarkets around the country and at Foodstuffs Support Centre. Jason was accepted into the Foodstuffs Owner/Operator program and in 2015 had the opportunity to own the Tauranga store and territory.
Sharon brings years of experience from a background in hospitality and strong skills in customer services and marketing. Growing up their children have also worked at Gilmours in various roles from deliveries to picking/packing and manning the checkouts.
Gilmours Tauranga is one of seven, independently owned and operated stores nationwide but is run as a local business that is dedicated to serving the community and supporting local charities. Tauranga’s reach covers Coromandel, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Western Bay of Plenty to Wairoa making it the second largest territory under the Gilmours umbrella.
Today, Jason and Sharon employ around 130 people from sales reps and delivery drivers to entry level in-store grocery roles. Sharon says, “It’s not simply a Cash ‘n Carry store but a large-scale logistics operation with approximately 80% of business being picked, packed and delivered out to the wider Bay of Plenty region”. Servicing their whole region is important to Jason and Sharon, and they are dedicated to giving back to the community working closely with local charities like Good Neighbour and Tauranga Foodbank.
With a hardworking and devoted team, the business is committed to providing Foodservice businesses a complete offer as a one stop shop. They offer a variety of fresh produce, meats, seafood, dairy, plant-based products, alcohol, and non-food items, catering to the needs of businesses in the Tauranga and Bay of Plenty area.
Experience is key in this business and Gilmours Tauranga offers exactly that. Service manager Bryan Hutchison, affectionately known as Hutch, has made a name for himself in as the leader of Gilmours Tauranga’s largest team, the service department. Hutch started in 2016 when he made the move from the hustle and bustle of Auckland to Tauranga for a more relaxed lifestyle. With this move he quickly became part of the Gilmours family, “he is a legend in our store,” says Sharon.
Starting out as a driver, Hutch moved into several different roles then back into a leadership role heading up the service department. With his outstanding leadership skills, Hutch transformed the department, which is solely focused on delivering exceptional service to Gilmours’ customers. Hutch truly embodies the values of Gilmours, always being customer-driven and executing with excellence.
As the store/operations manager, Chris Stark is on a mission. He has been working his way up the ranks in the food and grocery industry, with the goal of one day owning his own store. His journey started working in supermarkets as an after-school job in Gisborne, allowing him to learn every aspect of this industry from the ground up. Chris has taken the reins of Gilmours Tauranga, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. He is constantly looking for ways to improve processes and make the shopping experience for customers (both online and in-store) best in class. His attention to detail and commitment to excellence have made him an integral part of the team.
The Morrissey’s and the Gilmours Tauranga team always strive and are committed to being the Foodservice Partner customers can trust, offering excellent service and having what their customers need. As a team they have worked hard to build a successful business that serves the community.
“We all understand the customer is the lifeblood of our business, and we strive to ensure that each customer is satisfied. Whether it is through personal visits, timely delivery, or expert advice.”
Whether you are a hospital or retirement village, a bar restaurant or café, a school, or small business, Gilmours Tauranga are ready to provide you with exceptional service and expert advice. If you are looking for a food and beverage partner that understands your business and will help you succeed, talk to the team at Gilmours Tauranga.
