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SPAR Wholesaler for Scotland




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A Timeline of Excellence

CJ LangHow it all began! Charles J Lang started his involvement in the food industry when he went to work for his uncle's grocery store in St Andrews.

1919

CJ LangCharles Lang saw great opportunities for business in the aftermath of the First World War and purchased Max Poulson's food brokers in Dundee, a business which had been established since 1880.

1927

C G LangC G Lang joined his father in the business and was given a brown sample bag and told “out you go junior. Take this bag and get selling!” The market was primarily grocer's shops but goods were also supplied to boarding houses and hotels. In addition to cheese, CJ Lang also had the sole agreement to sell Middlemass biscuits, with more solus arrangements made as the years went on.

1934

C G LangIn recognition of the work he was doing, the name of the Company was changed from "CJ Lang" to "CJ Lang and Son Limited." Business prospered and new premises were sought in Dundee for expansion. The first site was the old Fairweathers Tobacco Factory behind the King's Theatre.

1948

C G LangIn 1948, the Company purchased more spacious premises between Sugar House Wynd and St. Andrews Street Lane.

1960-77

C G LangCJ Lang took over a local provisions company, Hugh F.Black and Sons of Ward Road in Dundee. This enabled the first Cash and Carry premises to be developed, called "Martex" a name originated by Graeme Lang, young Charles' son. CJ Lang and Son Limited joined VIVO Group Trading, later to amalgamate with SPAR Great Britain in 1975 in one of the most significant moves in the company's history. At that point SPAR Scotland numbered 102 stores. The level of growth was accelerating and a new structure of management helped to direct this process. Martex Cash and Carry started trading in Perth in the former Dye Works at Tulloch Road and in 1972 Martex Dundee moved to a custom built warehouse in Clepington Road. Martex Cupar opened in 1974 and Martex Perth moved to a Greenfield site in the Inveralmond Estate in 1977.

1982

C G LangCJ Lang acquired the business of G&P Merchants (Livingston) Limited and moved to Dundee. This increased the SPAR distribution coverage from the Highlands to the Borders. CJ Lang subsequently took over the SPAR Frozen Food distribution for this area and increased the number of SPAR stores by 108.

1986

C G LangThe next development was SPAR Franchise stores with the opening of two stores in Dundee and Blairgowrie. These stores, although owned by CJ Lang, were operated by an independent operator under a Franchise Agreement.

1987

A large retail store was purchased from an existing SPAR customer in Abronhill, Cumbernauld. In that same year, 11 retail outlets formerly under the Shoppers Paradise banner were purchased from the Dee Corporation.

1989

C G LangCJ Lang and Son Limited bought Edwards (Aberdeen) Limited which comprised of Cash and Carry, Offshore Supplies, Delivered Catering and Catering Equipment divisions.

1993

C G LangSPAR Scotland was born as CJ Lang & Son Ltd consolidated its position and acquired the SPAR Franchise for the remainder of Scotland from its primary competition of the time "Watson & Philip". CJ Lang was now the SPAR Wholesaler for the whole of Scotland. In the same year CJ Lang acquired 18 Norco Supermarkets in the Aberdeen area and converted them to the SPAR format. That period of expansion was completed with the development of a 14.5 acre distribution site at Longtown Road in Dundee and the development of a purpose built Chilled & Frozen Distribution Depot at Clepington Road in Dundee. CJ Lang has continued dramatic growth with the continued expansion of its retail interests. Acquisitions of further retail stores all over Scotland cemented CJ Lang's position as the leading Independent Food Wholesaler & Retailer in Scotland. Significant expansion was achieved through National Partnerships with NAAFI supermarkets. Considerable and continuing investment in store development continuously improved the in-store service and customer experience.

2020

C G LangThe Company still remains very much a Scottish family business and as such, is one of Scotland's largest independent Companies. Mr C.G. Lang's daughter Mrs Joan Scott-Adie is the Life President of the company, with immediate members of her family as Non-Executive Directors.

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