Question:

I am looking for a reliable, reputable suppler of WOK ranges, specifically a seven-wok range, 4 at the front, 3 in the rear.

Replies:

1. ACK Manufacturing Ltd
   Contact: Clive Wong
   Tel: 01761 453666
   Email: sales@ack-wokcookers.com

Question:

I am dealing with two or three issues a week where something has been signed for on site, only to later find that the person on the POD didn’t sign for it. People no longer working on site, on holiday, day off, sickness etc (this can often be proved by site that the person wasn’t available that day).
Can we find out if this is happening with other distributors, what steps they are taking to minimise it and potentially what couriers they are working with that are more in control of their drivers?
We cannot be the only distributor in this position.

Replies:

1. We work with companies who do the deliveries in 2 ways:
   Either a collated delivery via people like KET or IAC and they don’t seem to have as many issues arising as noted, plus all the equipment is there on the first day of installation or on a pre agreed date.
   Those who decide just to let the manufacturers deliver on an as and when basis well its chaos at best !! especially in the current climate where manufacturers have limited stock etc, so yes we have seen this a lot but the pre install collation does reduce this however there are costs associated with this!
   Third option is a nice friendly installation man and they will take it in and come to site with it!
2. ceda Member ‘Archer Catering Systems Ltd’ – Archer Catering Systems Limited – ceda
   We can help so please do contact us.
   Nick Archer – nick@archercateringsystems.com
   T: 0161 737 8307 or M: 07836 776858
3. We don’t have this specific issue; however we do still have an issue with couriers leaving parcels inside our reception door and driving off without getting signatures or letting a member of staff know that they have delivered.
4. The steps we take are:
   Confirm exact location to where delivery is to go.
   Confirm Date and where possible time.
   Office team to contact supplier to confirm delivery and confirm again a few days later, dependant on delivery lead time etc.
   Delivery drive to call an hour before delivery to a designated person.
   Photo evidence from delivery driver to whom and where it has been delivered to.
   Suggest a “Safe Place” or location of delivery.
   “Ring” doorbell system, where appropriate, as had on occasions, they have delivered and have video evidence to say they haven’t (they got sacked!)
5. ceda Member ‘Square One Interiors’ – Square One (Design and Display) Limited T/A Square One Interiors – SOi – ceda
   As a support business to dealers, I can’t obviously comment on direct deliveries to sites but I can imagine this happening.
   We have however seen an increase in our work where we have been asked to consolidate equipment and accessories for dealers, particularly ones who have smaller warehousing space. We receive the goods and check off against a spreadsheet to ensure we have everything before we deliver and install.
   This service is available to all should the member wish to make contact.
   Contact: Lee Martin – lmartin@squone.co.uk
   t  | 01455 241207 or m | 07837 532434
   w | www.squone.co.uk 
6. Yes, this is happening with us as well.
   We rely sometimes on tracking info when a part has been sent to site – it will say delivered, we go to a site usually never local hence sending the part to them and on arrival – nowhere to be found. This costs us money of course and the supplier will not refund due to the delivery ‘not being guaranteed’
   Also, a times delivery is also marked as delivered by the required time and often not – this is so the driver is in the clear and gets paid which is not fair as again it’s costing firms like us money all the time.
   Field engineers are not cheap to keep on the road and ultimately the customer is then let down having to wait another day – again customers pay our wages and when we let them down they will go elsewhere.
   It looks incompetent on our part as they never understand.
   Likewise we have parcels turning up on the shop floor and without signing or taking physical delivery they still sign in my name!
   FedEx I believe are the worst offenders as they need paying on the timed deliveries.
   We have another driver (DHL) who did this twice to us and one of our Team managed to collar him before he left one morning and gave him a right talking to – the driver explained he gets into trouble and loses money if he does not make the delivery on time so we said to call us if this happens again so we are aware and he does (rarely though)
   It started from Covid deliveries (no contact etc) and they are using it to their own ends now.
   I think they should bring back having things signed for – the on-line pads they use don’t work as they are reading false deliveries now where the driver signs it himself as the customer.
   Hope this helps!

Question:

Can anyone suggest a good flyscreen supplier, other than Pelsis/Edialux. Similar kind of turnkey service required – survey, supply and fit. Thanks!

Replies:

1. Catering Hygiene Specialists Ltd
   Best contact is jodie@cateringhygiene.co.uk
   Tel:  01895 812117
   www.cateringhygiene.co.uk
   www.cateringhygiene.co.uk/shop
2. I use The Fly Screen Company, flyscreen.com 01454 238288, I have always found them very good.

Question:

I am putting in a gas pizza oven and a client want to see a similar one at a site in London, the pizza oven is a LLKVR4 which I’ve got from Linda Lewis.

I know they have a showroom which I’ve offered  the client but it’s just outside of Manchester. Could you ask the members if they have a site in London, which has this or very similar model pizza oven and if I could pop in with my client so they can have a look?

Replies:

1. May I suggest that you contact Linda Lewis direct and if your client is unable to go to their showroom that you liaise with LLK further in order to see if they know of a customer who can assist you.
2. LLK – LLK – Shop Pizza & Catering Equipment (llkpizzaovens.co.uk)

Question:

Do you know of any freelance Revit techs on the catering side? Thank you.

Replies:

1. In the past I have used Tony Ward for these services, he is a freelancer who only does drawings:
   Web:     https://www.viscad2007.co.uk/
   Email:    tony.ward@viscad2007.co.uk
   Tel:        01455 291693
2. Ian Clay CFSP – Director
   Email: design@hunsworth.com
   Mobile: 07884 018113
3. Greg Coleman – Director
   Tel: 01733 242849
   Mobile: 07702 528228
   Web: www.acad-services.com
4. I would be happy if you passed my details on. I can also offer the 2d Autocad stuff also if any of your clients would be interested. Kitchen / Bar design for: Hotels, Restaurants, Fast Food Outets, Cafes, Hospitals, Schools, Central Production Units for Schools, Bars, Servery Counter Schemes etc. Site Surveys, Services drawings & Schedules also,
   Many thanks,
   Matthew Smith BSc Hons
   MPS Foodservice Design – Foodservice Designer Mobile: 07791 979910
   Email: matthews1000@hotmail.com
   Web: https://www.mpsfoodservicedesign.com

Question:

I am wondering if we have an average throughout the industry with an allowance for engineers who work away from home.
Do you pay for hotels and an allowance or give your engineers a certain amount and it’s up to the engineer to book their own hotels etc etc. or any other methods and agreements?
We are trying to find a happy medium, especially with rising costs.
Thank you.

Replies:

1. We don’t often have engineers stay away but when we do they get a £30 allowance and we book and pay the accommodation on a B&B basis. If there are 2 of them will ask them to share a room, if they don’t want to share, they can pay the additional cost on having a room each. The costs are added on to the job.
2. We book the employees hotel and give them £25 per day for an evening meal.
3. I would book the hotels for our engineers. They would also receive a food allowance and additional pay at a fixed rate if they have to stay overnight.
4. We have gone through various overnight methods. The Revenue do not take kindly to an allowance. It’s okay for Civil Servants but not for industry!
   I do not believe in expecting staff to stay anywhere I would not be prepared to stay in. We pre-book & pre-pay as much as possible eg DBB if possible. When we gave a value towards dinner, they would get fish & chips & drink the rest so that was changed to a guideline for Lunch £10, Dinner £20, Coffees & a couple of pints £20 all with receipts & justification for any excess. We don’t want it to cost them anything for reasonable living & appreciate the London area may be more.
   They get a minimum 12-hour day guaranteed for an overnight ie 8 hrs standard time & 4 hours @ time & a half whether it’s worked or not. Probably a 10-hour day would be worked without travelling.
   All travelling over an 8-hr day is at a maximum of time & a half with no double time after 4 hours as is normal.
5. We provide a £25.00 allowance for food and drinks and the engineer is issued a premier card for accommodation. The rates for stay change depending on the areas of the UK. The card method is preferred by the engineers as they know the standard of hotel and they can always book a room at the hotel near to where the job is.

Question:

Is there a service member able to help with a safety inspection of a METOS VIKING EG150EMS2WSGL Kettle, client requires a pressure / hydraulic test on the appliance for an insurance inspection? Thank you.

Replies:

1. Dependant on location within the UK:
   https://aggora.co.uk/– UK
   https://www.micbexengineering.co.uk/ – London & South East

Question:

We are designing a basement kitchen in central London with extremely tight access. Are any members aware of any flat pack refrigeration products (upright and counter fridges) that may be suitable? Thank you.

Replies:

1. I know Valera do a range of flat pack upright and counter refrigerated cabinets. Single, double and triple uprights. 2, 3 and 4 door counters.
2. Desmond from Middleby.
3. Only people that I know of now are Valera, others used to but don’t seem to any longer. Clearly whilst Valera are a good company, they won’t be the same quality as a Precision or other similar brands.
4. Desmond refrigeration Via Middleby does flat pack units.
5. I think that Valera do a range where the compressor section comes off, and I know you can take the compressor section out of a William’s counter. But to be honest if you spoke to a refrigeration company then am sure they could come without the compressors etc… which to be honest is the weight on these things.
6. Happy to assist. Both Fosters and Valera do flat packed refrigeration. Please pass on my details: Geoff Edwards – Ceba Solutions (ceda Member). Email: geoff@cebasolutions.co.uk Mobile: 07483 414158
7. Very niche! Found these (not UK) but may be able to ship to UK – not sure! At least there are companies who do that kind of thing! https://totalcommercialequipment.com.au/desmon-flat-packed-fridge.html
8. Not 100% sure, but I felt DESMOND refrigeration from the MIDDLEBY group, can be purchased as self-assembly option.
9. I would look at coldrooms as with a basement it will also mean high temperatures, so I’d go remote application. I’ve not seen the site but I’d give careful consideration to adding heat source to a basement.
10. I believe Valera do flat pack uprights & counters.
11. Valera offer these – P32 of their new catalogue.

Question:

Would anyone from the group be able to recommend a countertop chilled sushi display range? We need to replace one for a client. Tried Williams but they no longer import this range into the UK. Thank you.

Replies:

1. Hoshizaki used to do one, not sure if they still do.
2. Iglu and Hoshizaki.
3. Hoshizaki do a stand-alone. Also, Cossiga do some but maybe more of custom made.
4. Hoshizaki and Pentland (Infrico) have a few sushi case options. Pentland may be the better option if it’s required quickly as I know there’s a longer lead time on all Hoshizaki models at the moment.
5. Hoshizaki do 4 sizes of sushi case – 1200, 1500, 1800 and 2100mm.
6. We use Tefcold who have various Sushi Chillers.
   They are a manufacturer that goes through distributors (not direct). ceda member ‘Scobie Equipment Ltd’ has said that they are a distributor and can help. Contact John Ward via john.ward@scobie.uk
7. Hoshizaki do the below units:
   https://hoshizaki-europe.com/sushi-cases/?lang=en_UK
8. Hendi do one 5 x 1/3GN. Please refer to Sushi display 5x GN 1/3
9. I know Hoshizaki do one: https://hoshizaki-europe.com/sushi-cases/?lang=en_UK

Question

Can anyone recommend an on site fabricator. I need to get a table cut down 200mm and have a profile fitted to the edge. The site is in Leatherhead. Thank you.

Replies:

1. We have many fabricators we use, that can come down to site and do the works required. Challenge and issue is they are all fully booked until September!  Cutting down 200mm and making good, however not always that easy and would need hot works! Happy to assist as work in that area and can do a site visit.
   Geoff Edwards FIH, CGoC MWIFM
   Business Development Manager
   CEBA Solutions Ltd (ceda Member)
   Email: Geoff@cebasolutions.co.uk
   Tel: 07483 414168
   Tel: 01730 265899
2. There is a guy called Brad Merchant who keeps popping up on LinkedIn who does some cutting and carving work. Seems to do some really good work and is based in and around the London area.
3. Derrick Law from ceda member company Keemlaw Catering Equipment has said ‘If the table can be delivered to us at Keemlaw we can help Tel: 01622 717177 Email: salesandservice@keemlaw.co.uk