How George Pitsikoulis of Canadawide Uses Blue Book as a Critical Tool for Business Success
Canadawide, a leading provider of fresh fruit and vegetables in Canada, has grown significantly since its founding in 1983. Originally started to service retail produce stores, the company has evolved into a wholesaler serving customers across Canada. With a reputation for offering a variety of fresh produce, Canadawide has expanded its reach by importing from 46 different countries. Throughout this journey, George Pitsikoulis, CEO of Canadawide, has relied on Blue Book as a critical resource to support various aspects of the business.
Sales Intelligence: Leveraging for Business Growth
George Pitsikoulis credits Blue Book’s tools for helping Canadawide streamline its sales processes. “They’ve really set everything on the straight and narrow. They’ve made it easier for people to deal with together,” he shares. In an industry traditionally known for making deals on a handshake, Pitsikoulis highlights how Blue Book’s resources back up these agreements by providing valuable information on potential business partners.
The platform’s sales intelligence tools have been indispensable in identifying, prospecting, qualifying, and closing new customers. “I mean, you back it up by doing your due diligence in investigating who you’re dealing with,” Pitsikoulis adds, emphasizing the importance of trustworthy information when expanding business relationships.
Credit Intelligence: Ensuring Trust and Reliability
When it comes to managing credit, Canadawide has found Blue Book’s Credit Intelligence platform invaluable. “The go-to and the first place that you look and analyze is the Blue Book,” says Pitsikoulis. The company uses Blue Book ratings to assess the reliability of potential partners and ensure that they are working with trustworthy businesses.
“Over time, you learn how to read the rating and understand it and how that would apply to you and how you can use that to your benefit,” Pitsikoulis explains. This tool is especially vital when Canadawide is approached by new suppliers, as the company uses Blue Book ratings as a first step in its due diligence process. “Whenever we’re being approached by any new supplier, the first step, within our due diligence process, is to refer to the Blue Book,” he says.
Pitsikoulis also highlights how Blue Book supports the company when debt collection issues arise, helping them navigate complex situations. “On occasion, where there’s a debt to be collected, we go through the Blue Book to ask for some guidance to help us out and they’ve been fantastic in helping us out,” he says.
Market Intelligence: Staying Ahead of Industry Trends
With an international presence and a diverse range of products, Canadawide needs to stay on top of the latest industry trends and news. Blue Book’s Market Intelligence platform has been a key tool in this regard. “I believe that everybody that has any interest in what’s going on in the industry will always refer to the daily updates,” says Pitsikoulis. The daily newsletters and industry reports help Canadawide keep track of the latest trends, developments, and shifts in the market.
He emphasizes how important it is for Canadawide to stay informed, not just about commodity pricing and volume but also about personnel changes and other industry news that may impact the company’s operations. “It’s always the first newsletter that they’ll refer to in order to see the latest, most interesting stories that are taking place within our industry,” he says.
Procurement Intelligence: Identifying the Right Suppliers
Pitsikoulis is also a strong advocate for Blue Book’s Procurement Intelligence tools, which play a crucial role in ensuring that Canadawide works with the best suppliers. “Whenever we’re being approached by any new supplier, the first step, within our due diligence process, is to refer to the Blue Book,” he stresses. Canadawide uses Blue Book to identify reputable companies and assess the reliability of potential suppliers, ensuring they maintain high standards for their product offerings.
“That is invaluable,” Pitsikoulis says of Blue Book’s Procurement Intelligence tools. “We need it as an industry. I believe that it’s created this environment where people have more trust, to deal with each other.” For Canadawide, this tool is essential for making informed decisions and building long-lasting relationships with trusted suppliers.
Business Builder Intelligence: Enhancing Canadawide’s Reputation
As CEO of Canadawide, Pitsikoulis values the role Blue Book plays in helping the company manage its reputation and communicate its credibility to the industry. He highlights the importance of Canadawide’s Blue Book membership, noting how it enhances the company’s stature and visibility in the industry. “We’re very proud of becoming trading members. You know that gives you a whole different level of stature within the industry,” he says.
Blue Book’s Business Builder Intelligence platform also supports Canadawide’s efforts to advertise and tell their story, “people will definitely see you. The people that you want them to see will be looking at this particular newsletter,” Pitsikoulis explains.
“We always feel like with our business partners, our suppliers of fresh produce, that we’re dealing with our own company,” Pitsikoulis explains. This sense of partnership extends to how Canadawide positions itself in the market, ensuring that both customers and suppliers understand the company’s commitment to quality and service.
A Tool That is Invaluable to the Industry
For Pitsikoulis, Blue Book is more than just a tool—it’s an integral part of Canadawide’s success. He describes the relationship as a long-term partnership that has played a crucial role in their growth and industry leadership. “Blue Book is the reference for our business, for the industry at large in regards to knowledge about commodities, the people we’re dealing with, and doing our due diligence,” says Pitsikoulis.
The platform’s comprehensive offerings—from market intelligence to procurement and credit management—help Canadawide stay competitive and maintain its reputation as a trusted provider of fresh produce. “There’s no other tool that can replace it,” Pitsikoulis concludes. “The experience has been amazing from the very beginning.”
In an industry where relationships, trust, and knowledge are paramount, Blue Book continues to be an essential tool for George Pitsikoulis and Canadawide as they navigate the complexities of the fresh produce business and continue to grow their success.
