Focus on Williamson Staff
To develop more effective partnerships with customers, Williamson Foodservice regularly highlights what different members of staff do within our business. This gives more of an insight into our company and hopefully improves the relationship we have with customers.
Eldon Bell
Delivery driver, angler, Chinese food fan and professional goalkeeper wannabe
Customers around the Beauly Firth and Easter Ross areas will be familiar with Eldon who has worked with Williamson Foodservice as a delivery driver for over 20 years. Due to his round being close to our Inverness headquarters, he is one of the few drivers who returns late morning to load back up again and make several deliveries in the afternoons too!
Q. What do you like most about your job?
A. I love being out on the road because I get to enjoy some fantastic scenery – it can get pretty wild in the winter but there’s something interesting to see all year round. I’m lucky that my round takes me into places like Glen Affric – destinations that are right up there for visitors to see. I also enjoy meeting so many people who are always friendly and appreciative.
Q. Have you had any other job at Williamson’s?
A. I started off life at Williamson’s with three years as a packer from 1995. This involved working on the fruit and veg side of the business and led me into the driving/delivery job I’ve been doing since 1998.
Q. What are three words that best describe Williamson’s?
A. Excellence | Quality | Reliability
Q. What does your typical day look like?
A. Due to my delivery round, I get to start later than most drivers who are usually out by 4am. I start at 6am and after checking my load I’m on my way by 7am. I’ll then travel round the Beauly Firth delivering orders with over 20 stop-offs. I’m back late morning, load up and usually off again early afternoon to places like Beauly, Dingwall, Strathpeffer and Cannich.
Q. What’s the most challenging part of your job?
A. During the summer season when hotels, restaurants and others in the tourism sector are needing lots of supplies I need to load my van quickly but carefully. This ensures everything comes off in the right order and customers get their orders on time.
Q. What’s the most interesting thing you have learned in the past 12 months?
A. I’m amazed at how big Williamson’s is getting! Every year, since I started over 20 years ago has seen new products added. Back then it was mainly fruit and veg but now we stock virtually everything a food and drink business in the north needs.
Q. What do you like to do in your spare time?
A. I enjoy playing football and darts but I also like to go fishing when the weather improves.
Q. If you could swap jobs with anyone else, whose would you want?
A. As I have been a bit of a goalkeeper in my time, my choice would be one of Celtic Football Club’s professional goalies.
Q. If you had one meal to choose what would it be?
A. I really like Chinese food and I make deliveries to some of the best Chinese restaurants in the north.
Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A. I always wanted to be a long distance lorry driver – so maybe making deliveries like I do for Williamson’s isn’t too far off the mark!