4 minute read
Paul Midolo, Managing Director, Samuel Smiths & Sons and Negociants
PAUL MIDOLO
Advertisement
OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS, PAUL MIDOLO HAS WORKED HIS WAY THROUGH THE SAMUEL SMITH & SON AND NEGOCIANTS AUSTRALIA BUSINESSES; FROM STATE MANAGER IN 2010 TO GENERAL MANAGER IN 2014 AND NOW DIRECTOR. WE CAUGHT UP WITH PAUL AND ASKED HIM WHAT THE STATE OF PLAY IS WITH THESE TWO ICONIC NATIONAL BUSINESSES.
“Friendship is a fundamental value of how we teams that are subject matter experts servicing their customers. operate – reputations take years to build and “We have a chain team, a group retail seconds to lose – how we behave and engage with team and on premise, fine wine retail teams.” our partners and customers is always front of mind” “We believe that this focused business. Knowledge is our credibility – we with our partners and customers is always front of mind.” conversation will provide more customer value than a traditional ‘jack of all Samuel Smith & Son began in 1923 and has With an impressive, diverse and world So, what does the future hold for Smiths stood proudly in the market representing class offer across two folios, the challenge is and Negociants? the Hill Smith proprietary brands alongside always how they complement one another “The future is bright – with the other likeminded family brands that enjoy and work best for the ultimate goal of investment in our digital transformation and the scope and reach of a market leading servicing the client better. introduction of customer focused teams, distributor. Negociants Australia started its Smiths & Negociants Australia have a we believe we are future fit, ready and life in 1984 as a true Negociant (the conduit commitment to championing classic wines willing to partner with our customers on the between producer and distributor) for some of the world. opportunities for today and tomorrow.” of the northern hemisphere’s finest wine An example of this commitment is the While ‘change is the only constant in producers. In 1990, the timing was right for “Working with Wine” program, which the life’, a business such as Smiths and a new fine wine distributor and the Vintners Hill Smith Family have operated since 1998. Negociants prides itself on the long term, Wine Company was born. That trademark it brings the world’s finest producers to so you know when they make changes they was challenged so in 1991 ‘Negociants Australia to impart their knowledge with are well considered. Australia’ began its journey. The focus the next generation of sommeliers and fine “The way we shape our offer and remained the same; to represent like- wine retailers.” approach will always move with time minded, best of region, family producers. “We are a business that is and changes in the market, what will
“The scope and reach of our two folios committed to distribution for the long never change is our desire to provide the offer a wine solution to all sectors of the term. This commitment in turn means that Knowledge, Service and Friendship we Australian market. Our mission is to provide we are committed to great and ultimately have been known for. We know our trade a solution that both surprises and delights smart customer service. The world is time customers have choice and we don’t take the consumer as well as making sound poor and digital reach has never been their support for granted. We must remain commercial sense to our customer. We more powerful. This means that when a relevant in terms of offer and commercial want to be the preferred wine partner in representative for Smiths and or value and we work hard to achieve this.” Australia,” said Midolo. Negociants walks through the door of a ”In the end, this is what wine is all about
Across both businesses today is a restaurant, retailer, group retailer or – enjoying the wines of the world’s great world-class portfolio of the fine wines chain the conversation needs to provide winemakers and sharing with friends. from the finest regions, ranging from maximum value and deliver an outcome the accessible to the luxurious. “Our with no fuss. Simple.” Editor’s note: to learn more about the mantra is Knowledge, Service, Friendship. To provide this, the business has Working with Wine program visit: These values will always be part of our restructured to be channel focused, with www.workingwithwine.com understand and cherish the brands we represent and the stories they have to tell. “Quite simply our people are our difference. We get Friendship is a fundamental value of how we out of bed for great wine and are passionate and operate – reputations take years to build and seconds to lose – how we behave and engage creative about promoting great wine experience.” trades’ model.”
