FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — National Convenience Distributors (NCD), the fifth largest wholesale distributor to the c-store industry, has named Jeff Allen as its new CEO, succeeding Edward Berro, who will continue as chairman. In addition, Paul Murphy has been appointed as the company’s COO.
“Jeff’s entrepreneurial spirit, industry vision and unparalleled leadership skills are exactly what the company requires to take it to the next level. The NCD executive management team, along with Jeff and Paul, will remain focused on customer service and expanding the breadth of our product offerings,” said Berro.
“The convenience distribution industry, like many others before it, is going through a period of consolidation,” said Allen. “Distributors are looking to join forces with companies that share their growth philosophies and strategic vision; however, they want to remain rooted in the core principles like quality service and employee empowerment that NCD exemplifies but many others have forgotten. These entrepreneurial companies view NCD as the acquiror of choice. We will continue to grow the NCD operations both through strategic acquisitions and internal, organic growth in the years to come.”
Allen, formerly an NCD divisional president, joined the Farmingdale, N.Y.-based company in March 2020 when his business, Allen Brothers Wholesale Distribution, Philadelphia, merged with NCD. He was the third-generation president at Allen Brothers.
Murphy joined NCD in 2016 and previously served as its executive vice president of business development. Prior to that role, he held various senior positions with Altria Group, Richmond, Va.
NCD, with origins dating back more than 120 years, is the result of private equity group Palm Beach Capital’s strategy to build a leading wholesale distributor servicing convenience stores throughout the Northeast. After its initial investment in Harold Levinson Associates in 2014, the firm made subsequent investments in J. Polep Distribution Services, Allen Brothers and Wustefeld Candy. In 2020, the company began to consolidate and rebrand itself as National Convenience Distributors.
“We are very pleased with the remarkable progress that NCD has achieved in the few short years since our investment,” said Mike Schmickle, partner at West Palm beach, Fla.-based Palm Beach Capital. “Ed Berro has been instrumental in the growth of the company and we thank him for his dedication and service. We are extremely excited to elevate Jeff Allen to the CEO role and are confident that, under his leadership, NCD will continue its impressive growth strategy in the fragmented convenience distribution industry.”
Servicing customers in the 11 contiguous states from Maine to Maryland, NCD is a wholesale distributor providing candy, snacks, fresh sandwiches and salads, cigarettes and cigars, coffee, ice cream and frozen and refrigerated foods to more than 14,000 customers.
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