ALUMNI
Managing a Business to Serve the Community Michael Bozzuto ’75 is a firm believer that everyone should take every opportunity they can to make their break, whether it’s in their professional or personal life. Once there, however, it’s entirely up to that person to make a positive impact on their local and greater communities.
I think it’s quite an accomplishment to see people get involved and make a difference in their lives...“We often say … ’it’s just one of those things you have to experience to understand it.’”
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the magazine of cheshire academy
This belief has led Bozzuto, chairman, president, and CEO of wholesale distribution company Bozzuto’s Inc., to ensure that his 1,800 distribution employees and 1,200 retail staff are well taken care of. Having learned from other distributors with whom he works, including in Wuhan and other parts of China, Bozzuto and his company were ready when COVID-19 came to the United States earlier this year. Bozzuto said his company was “very fortunate” to glean information on how other countries addressed the pandemic, and saw early on the importance of implementing the use of face masks and face shields. Approximately 500 trucks unload product each day at Bozzuto’s, and another 400 trucks ship out to stores as far north as Maine, as south as Maryland, and as west as Ohio. However, the trucks are no longer filled with as many different items; in fact, one of the problems Bozzuto’s continues to face is a lack of supply, including hand sanitizer and holiday-themed products. Bozzuto’s tries to spread what they receive evenly to its customers while continuing to maintain relationships with manufacturers to ensure they are getting their fair share of products. Despite the pandemic, Bozzuto’s boasts a 99 percent service level. With a shortage of goods, maintaining that level of service can be a challenge, especially when a customer requires specific products in a moment’s notice, according to Bozzuto.
