Local Storage seems to be disabled in your browser.
For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Local Storage in your browser.
Our History
BY STEVE ROSS
1947 - 1985
FROM HARRY ROSS TO MEDINA QUAY MEATS
My Grandfather, Harry Ross, opened a small Butchers shop selling quality butchery to the public. My father, Colin Ross, joined in 1960 and concentrated on expanding the catering side of the business. In 1977 he opened "Harry.S.Ross (Wholesale) Ltd." at new premises in Ryde, producing high-quality meats and meat products for the catering trade.
As the business rapidly developed, in February 1983 Colin opened new premises in Newport and transferred the wholesale business from Ryde. In June 1985 the company name was changed to "Medina Quay Meats Ltd" trading as Medina Meats.
1988
I joined the family business straight from school & immersed myself in all aspects. Initially, I focused on developing & growing the manufacturing side & then the frozen.
1997
I became a Company Director & just a year later Caroline joined us & immediately helped to improve standards & sales & continues to do so to this day.
2001
We purchased an additional warehouse to utilise even more products. We also changed our trading name to “Medina Foodservice” to try to better encapsulate our extensive product range.
2002
My parents fully retired. Caroline & I purchased the remaining shares. It proved to be an exciting year as later that year we had a delightful baby boy, Brandon.
2007
We expanded our delivery area to include the New Forest & it didn’t take long for this to grow even further. The other benefit being that we can collect specialist products & support more local producers by dealing with several other wholesalers & manufacturers.
2010
We purchased Manor House Produce, a long established local fruit & vegetable wholesaler. Most importantly we kept all the existing staff for their knowledge & experience in this field. Our produce is sourced as locally as we possible can, direct from growers where possible.
2011
After a year of pestering Red Funnel Distribution, they finally gave in & sold us their distribution premises. I had made plans for the whole building several months before we completed & from the minute it was signed, we had contractors in immediately to start excavating for the 6,000 cubic metre freezer.
2019
We had a further exciting expansion, with the introduction of our own 28,000 sq ft premises in Millbrook, Southampton. With storage & distribution for ambient, frozen & chilled products, this also serves as a permanent base for a fleet of our vans to operate from, further allowing us to extend our delivery area. This also enables us to provide our own storage & haulage service between Southampton & the Isle of Wight.
2021
Medina became a part of the Sysco family, which has helped businesses like ours flourish with its local expertise & global resource. It means that it is very much ‘business as usual’ with the same team & same service, but with the added reassurance that we have the world’s largest foodservice wholesaler at our side. Over time, we will be supplementing our extensive range with Sysco’s award-winning fresh products, as well as the technology & support to provide customers with an event better service.
2023
A Special Message
This is a historical year for Medina, as it is set to be the final year that any member of the Ross family will be spearheading the business. This is absolutely monumental for us - the entire business is founded on a little butchery shop owned by Steve's Grandfather. It's a far cry from what it was and that is down to both Steve & Caroline driving the company & building it into what it is today. We are however pretty certain it won't be the last we see of either of them!
Becoming a Sysco company has no doubt played a large part in this decision, but it is also this change that stands to continue to benefit the business as it moves forward. Medina has & always will continue to operate independently, with the support of Sysco aiding with our progression rather than change our business - after all, we've been around for over 75 years because what we're doing works!
You will come across a couple of new faces as well as a lot you will already know well.
Cory will continue to lead the company forwards as Business Unit Director. Allan has been promoted to run the Millbrook operation. Simon oversees customer side of the business in his role as Sales Manager. Tim has stepped into the role of Butchery Manager & we are delighted to welcome Nina who has been taken on in a preventative role to ensure procedures & systems are in place with a focus on health & safety.
Our online systems have improved more recently which was a significant development for us as a business - one that was made possible by the technological advances available to us by being a part of Sysco. We hope that you will see just how user-friendly it is & will continue to reap the benefits that it will provide, offering an enhanced shopping experience.
Looking outside, you'll start to see our growing fleet of vans have a little makeover too!
So, whilst it will absolutely be one of those years that gets earmarked in our history book, we hope you will join us in thanking Steve and Caroline for their steadfast leadership, support and strength through many, many years of Medina Foodservice which is & will continue to be your local catering wholesaler.
Thank you Steve & Caroline for your dedication and commitment.