If you need insurance, then you’re going to need an insurance broker. Particularly given the challenging insurance market we’re currently experiencing. A broker provides advice and explains clearly what your insurance covers and what is not covered. They also act for you and have a legal duty of care in the advice and products provided. So, rest assured you are in safe hands.

1. A broker can use their expert knowledge to highlight areas of cover that may not be considered.
2. A broker can ensure you are not paying for more cover than you need and ensure you receive excellent service.
3. A broker can shop around on your behalf to help find you the cover you need, from every day book-keeping to higher risk work that insurers are increasingly shying away from in the current challenging market.
4. After a policy is sold, a broker can continue performing valuable day-to-day services, monitoring the adequacy of coverage limits and policy terms as market conditions fluctuate.
5. In the event of a claim, the broker can act on the business’s behalf to achieve settlement.
6. A broker can ensure your business is presented to insurers in the correct way, which allows insurers to offer the most appropriate products for a fair price.
7. Professional indemnity policies require you to notify your insurers if you become aware of a claim against you in relation to your professional activities, or you become aware of a circumstance, which may give rise to a claim. A broker can provide valuable advice and guidance as to whether you should notify a claim or circumstance to insurers.

Need expert advice?

Get in touch with our insurance experts. Call Leah Gregory on 07385 482545 or email leah.gregory@marshcommercial.co.uk.

Attending the ceda Conference on 29-30 September? Why not book an appointment with Leah and catch up over a coffee?!

With energy prices rocketing, causing operators significant cost issues, ceda’s technical team is looking for money saving ideas that can be quickly implemented in any commercial kitchen to help them reduce their energy usage.

Any kitchen operating a commercial dishwasher can make some immediate savings if they start using Chlorine based (chlorinated) detergents as these will allow the water temperatures of the wash and rinse to be reduced.

As an example of the savings possible, the ceda team have worked on the following dishwasher use case for a typical hotel catering operation:

• A hood type dishwasher being used for 50 breakfasts, lunches and dinners resulting in 3 fills of the machine and 30 cycles per day, can save up to £1370.17* a year.
• Similar pro rata cost savings can also be made with glasswashers when using chlorinated detergents.

Whilst the Biocidal Products Directive requires independent data to prove that a product disinfects, it is widely accepted that Chlorine based detergents achieve a higher rate of disinfection than washing with standard chemicals.

In addition, the use of chlorinated detergents does not slow down the drying time for crockery. The use of a rinse aid is still required to break down the surface tension to allow the rinse water to form only a thin film on the ware which quickly evaporates.

There are two types of Chlorine based detergents available for commercial dishwashing. These are:

• Chlorinated alkaline detergents that are suitable for most dishwashing tasks as they remove starches and grease.
• Chlorine only detergents that are most suitable for removing protein and tannin.

For any operators looking to implement this money saving plan for their kitchen, ceda advises that any of their member companies can send an engineer to lower the water temperatures in a dish or glasswasher so that they will work with chlorinated detergents. Energy savings will then be immediate.

Further ideas are being worked on by the ceda technical team to assist all operators and ensure they are using their catering equipment in as efficient a method as possible.

ceda members can download the updated Technical Guidance Document #027b from the ceda Resources section of the Member’s Area of the website. The document provides information for members about the use of Chlorine based dishwashing chemicals.

*savings figures based on an electricity cost of 90.5 pence per kilowatt hour as quoted by British Gas to the Rose and Crown pub and published in Foodservice Equipment Journal on the 30^th August 2022.

We’re looking forward to joining the industry the Commercial Kitchen at ExCeL London (14-15 September), showcasing the best of our innovative cooking solutions. Will you be there?

Join MKN on stand CK250, where we’ll be demonstrating what makes us a market leader in premium cooking equipment.

This is your opportunity to see the key product innovations and speak to the MKN team about our solutions to overcome common kitchen challenges including space, efficiency and productivity.

Key products on display include:

• The Counter SL Series, new to the UK, which offers a front of house cooking suite solution for QSR markets. Choose freely and easily combined cookware with a hygienic levelling connection system – with more than 70 electric and gas appliances available in fully integrated suites.
• The slimline SpaceCombi Team range of combi steamers, offering two slimline 6-grid SpaceCombi combi steamers in one 55cm wide column, with integral controls for both steamers located at eye level. The SpaceCombi Magic Team model includes an integrated odour neutralising hood, for flexible installation in almost any kitchen environment.
• The optional Grease Collection System for FlexiCombi MagicPilot combi steamers, giving operators the opportunity to collect and sell recyclable cooking liquids whilst meeting their FOG (Fats Oils and Grease) obligations. Available to see on the Jestic stand (CK320).

Recognising product innovation

Don’t take our word for it – our commitment to product development has been recognised by the industry too. MKN has been shortlisted in the Commercial Kitchen Show’s Innovation Showcase and in the ‘Supplier of the Year for New Product Development – Chef Solutions’ category at the prestigious FEJ Awards on the first evening of the show.

Find out more

Visit www.mkn.com or call 01329 757890 to get in touch with the MKN team.

Celebrating its twelfth year, Gas Safety Week returns in September with two of the industry’s biggest names, First Choice Group and Hobart Service announcing a partnership with the aim of driving gas safety across our industry.

Coordinated nationally by the Gas Safe Register, the registration body appointed by the Health and Safety Executive to manage the register of qualified gas engineers in the UK, Isle of Man and Guernsey, Gas Safety Week provides a platform for the gas industry, consumer organisations and individuals to focus communications on gas safety and best practice. The week, which this year runs from the 12^th – 18^th September, will provide a focal point for advice, guidance and support for consumers, operators, manufacturers and service providers alike.

Showing support once again, First Choice Group is committed to maintaining safety standards across the industry. For 2022, First Choice is partnering with Hobart Service, a leading catering equipment service provider. Together, the partnership will raise industry-specific awareness of the importance of proper training, certification, servicing and maintenance.

Hobart UK, a leading manufacturer of cooking, warewashing, food preparation and waste technology, offers nationwide service and support packages for operators. From expert advice and installation to preventative maintenance and comprehensive service packages. Highly experienced, Hobart Service’s engineers undergo regular training, ensuring their knowledge and skills are kept up to date.

A longstanding partner, Hobart Service works with First Choice Training, the dedicated training arm of First Choice Group to ensure its engineers and technicians are ACS Gas Accredited. Approved to deliver recognised, catering-specific assessments, First Choice Group is the only ACS centre in the UK specialising purely in catering assessments. This means technicians, such as those from Hobart Service are assessed on industry-specific equipment.

On Gas Safety Week, Head of the Training Division at First Choice, Martin Dagnall comments:

“First Choice Group places safety, and in particular, gas safety as one of our highest priorities. Protecting staff working in kitchens, customers dining out and wider industry suppliers, it is essential that legally qualified, accredited and registered engineers are used to undertake any gas work. Certified by LCL Awards, First Choice Training regularly runs courses and undertakes assessments as part of the national Accredited Certification Scheme for Gas Fitting Operatives (ACS), and also hosts the Managed Learning Programme for New Gas Engineers.

“We are delighted to be joining forces with the team from Hobart Service to support and raise awareness of Gas Safety Week 2022. Our aim is to help operators to understand the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning, when not correctly installed.”

Matt Knowles, Quality, Health and Safety Manager at Hobart Service UK reinforces the message around Gas Safety Week, saying:

“Using gas safe engineers is crucial and something that should be the minimum benchmark within the foodservice sector. To support the actions of the Gas Safe Register and the messaging around Gas Safety Week 2022, Hobart Service is delighted to be partnering with First Choice Group. We’re doing our bit to remind businesses of their responsibility to keep their customers and staff safe.

“At Hobart UK, we’re committed to keeping all our engineers and technicians aligned with the ACA Gas Accreditation scheme – something that we work with First Choice Training, their expert assessors and their state-of-the-art training facilities to achieve.”

As an approved supplier for Hobart UK, First Choice Group stocks a full range of genuine OEM gas safe parts, accessories and consumables many of which are available on same-day dispatch, next day delivery as standard*. More information can be found on the First Choice Group website or app.

To find out more about Gas Safety Week and Gas Safe Register, including details of how to find a registered engineer in your area, visit www.gassaferegister.co.uk, or follow @GasSafeRegister on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Search #GSW22 and #GasSafetyWeek for the latest updates and advice throughout the week.

For more information on the innovative equipment and service solutions offered by Hobart UK, please visit www.hobartuk.com or call +44 (0) 844 888 7777.

Or for more information on the genuine OEM spare parts, accessories and consumables from First Choice Group visit http://www.firstchoice-cs.co.uk/ or call +44 (0) 1543 577 778.

As an associate member of ceda, we understand the risks that your business may face and give you peace of mind that your insurances are covered, so you can get back to what’s important – running your business.

As one of the UK’s leading commercial insurance brokers, we get to know your business inside out. From insurance, to risk management and employee health and benefits*, it’s our passion to advise, protect and support you on your journey.

While part of a world-leading insurance group, we’re proud to be a UK community broker with a local branch network. Insurance may not be your top priority, but you can rest assured, your business is ours.

Need expert advice?

Get in touch with our insurance experts. Call Leah Gregory on 07385 482545 or email leah.gregory@marshcommercial.co.uk.

Attending the ceda conference on 29-30 September? Why not book an appointment with Leah and catch up over a coffee.

Hobart Service UK has recovered to pre-pandemic revenue levels and operational capability following the disruption from Covid-19 over the past 2 years.

The business restructured its Sales and Operations functions during the COVID period resulting in a 30% surge in revenue vs 2021.

Implementing and executing the global ITW “Win the Recovery” strategy to deliver differentiated service to customers achieved this. ITW has recently released Q2 results, which shows the Fortune 200 Company rebounding strongly. Full report of the results can be read here.

The Peterborough based commercial catering service provider, now has a fresh approach to the business due to learning during the pandemic, with a number of strategic plans in place for increased growth for Q3 and Q4 of 2022.

Hobart Service UK is the primary maintainer for ITW brands Hobart and Bonnet but also has a sizeable maintenance portfolio of other catering equipment brands spread across the UK and Ireland.

The strategic plans include expanding the team of Service Technicians due to customer demand, increasing Technician presence nationwide to maintain service levels and, more importantly, the market-leading 94% First Time Fix level.

Route optimisation technology has also been introduced to enhance the ability of the dedicated planning team to deliver further operational and environmental efficiencies, building upon the current service and supply chain partners, and focusing on the growth of public sector contracts.

Keith Mackie, Hobart Service MD commented:

“During the past two years, Hobart Service has worked extremely hard to maintain and often exceed Service Levels for our clients. Despite extremely challenging circumstances, we have continually demonstrated our commitment to maintaining national coverage to all customers requiring our services”

“Whilst it’s been tough, our consistent ability to meet customer requirements, in a far more fluid way, has put us in a strong position now but also for the future – the business returning to pre-pandemic levels has proven this”

“Our committed team is revitalised, eager for growth and more resilient than ever. We are constantly reviewing performance to look for new ways to enhance our customers experience”

BOILERPLATE:

Hobart Service has the UK’s largest field force specialising in catering equipment maintenance. Our specialist service technicians are trained to support a vast range of makes and models of Hobart and third party equipment.

HOBART Service directly employees technicians nationwide, offering a fast response and repair when equipment breaks down, minimising downtime with one of the highest first time fix rates in the industry.

If you require more information about this topic or how Hobart Service can keep your business open for service – please call 01733 392 244, email customer.service@hobartuk.com or visit the website https://www.hobartuk.com/service.

We’re thrilled to reveal the highly anticipated shortlist for the ceda Grand Prix Awards 2022!

The Awards, recognised across the industry, highlight the best projects carried out by our Members over the past year, as well as putting the spotlight on those companies who have provided outstanding customer service and project management. 

This year, Members could enter six categories; the full shortlist of companies and projects for each of these is set out below:

Design Projects: under £50k category

Design Projects: £50k – £200k category

Design Projects: £200k – £500k category

Design Projects: over £500k category

Outstanding Customer Service category

Project Management category

The judges of the Awards, John Savage and Ron Neville, will now visit each of the shortlisted sites in person to talk to operators and assess the quality of the work carried out. 

The winners of the Grand Prix Awards will be announced during the ceda Conference Gala Dinner, on Friday 30th September at The Belfry Hotel in Sutton Coldfield. From the six category winners, an overall victor will also be revealed. They will take home the coveted Sir Donald Thompson Cup.

For the first time this year, all those that have made the final shortlist have the opportunity to enter the Operators Choice Award. This involves delivering a 3 minute pitch to a panel of 10 operators (names to be confirmed) on Wednesday 14th September (3.45-4.45pm) at Commercial Kitchen Show, London Excel. The panel will deliberate on all of the presentations they receive and the Operators Choice Award winner will also be announced at the Gala Dinner at the ceda Conference on Friday 30th September.

Registrations for the ceda Conference are now open for both Members and non-members. Those who would like to attend are asked to submit their details here: https://ceda.co.uk/conference2022/registration/

Brendon Land is new name in the Rational UK hotseat

Rational UK’s new managing director is Brendon Land.  He aims to maximise the business growth potential by building on the great foundations Rational already has and forging even closer relationships with new colleagues, customers, and supply channel partners.

Land took up his role on July 1st, 2022. He brings a wealth of international management expertise at the highest level to Rational UK.  His last post was general manager with Honeywell UK, where he was responsible for leading the UK and Nordic teams.  Previously he held key operational and management positions at major international brands including Fluidra, Epson and Samsung.

He joins Rational at a challenging time, when unprecedented orders for the company’s market leading cooking systems are counter balanced by the supply chain issues that are affecting the whole foodservice equipment industry.  However, Land is unfazed, saying, “Global volatility and constrained supplies are going to be with us for some time to come, certainly through the remainder of 2022. As we move forward, we may enter a phase of moderation as the raw material delays, logistics and high transportation costs are factored in.  This will give us improved visibility which will allow Rational to manage demand better, which should improve certainty around lead-times.

“Right now, it’s about supporting our customers even more than before, and helping them to forecast and plan their orders further ahead.”

A key element of Land’s business strategy is to grow sales of the iVario Pro in the UK.  “Foodservice operators are crying out for cooking systems that can mitigate problems like staff shortages, rising food costs, consistent quality and the spike in energy bills,” he says.  “The iVario is a solution for these challenges.  What’s more, thanks to some inspired procurement of components by our colleagues in Germany, we have access to stock of the iVario within 10 weeks or less.  Its time has come.”

The search to replace Rational UK’s previous managing director, Simon Lohse, has been a long one.  Götz Sauer, Executive Vice President EMEA for Rational AG, says the wait has been worthwhile.  “We wanted to get the right person, and we have,” he says.  “Brendon is exactly the type of leader to navigate the UK business through the current challenges.  His proactive approach with other blue-chip corporates demonstrates his ability to ensure the Rational UK business remains successful and continues to grow”.

Land adds, “My team and I are committed to continuing to serve and support our customers tirelessly to enable them to grow their businesses. Over the coming months, I plan to spend a significant amount of time meeting with our customers and business partners to better understand what they love about Rational and how we can support them better.”

RATIONAL is the leading provider in hot food preparation cooking systems and, with the iVario Pro and the iCombi Pro multifunctional cooking systems, the company delivers 95% of all conventional cooking applications.  Rational’s ConnectedCooking allows operators to monitor, manage and update their Rational appliances remotely, from a PC, tablet or smartphone.  iKitchen is the combination of the iCombi Pro, iVario Pro and ConnectedCooking – iKitchen delivers the best kitchen management and the best cooking solutions.

For information and brochures, or to find out about free Rational Live online demonstrations, call +44 (0)1582 480388, freephone 0800 389 2944 or visit www.rational-online.com

Given today’s fast-changing environments where catering service and maintenance is provided, service level agreements (SLAs) between customers and third-party service providers often can drive the wrong outcomes.

Following the challenges and changes of the pandemic, alongside the ever growing issue to supply chain and parts availability – in a number of cases metrics that have been previously used to judge whether a service provider such as the service and maintenance of catering equipment, have become completely irrelevant.

The message from our team at HOBART Service is clear – is it now time to review and rethink your SLAs?

As a market leading commercial catering equipment and service provider, we understand the importance of mitigating any downtime. We believe that when a piece of equipment breaks down, the critical factor is the time it takes to fix the equipment, not the time it takes for a technician to arrive on site.

However, other providers promise quick-reaction SLAs, and meet them, yet are not always in a position once they arrive on site to provide a fix. This can result in equipment standing dormant for days while parts are ordered or waiting for a more qualified technician, bringing operations to an abrupt halt.

We recently spoke with Armend Aljo, Procurement Manager at Oakman Inns and Restaurants who commented:

“Downtime would be a huge issue for our businesses as it immediately affects service delivery to our customers.”

“A 4-hour reaction time literally only works on paper in my opinion. Because you can have somebody jump in a van and go to site and look at a problem, agree a part is needed which will take 3 or 4 days and then they leave… you pay a premium for the 4-hour reaction time and get nothing in return.”

“When it comes to a 4-hour reaction time which some companies require, it is all blown out of proportion as to what really matters – which is the fix. Something that HOBART Service have always achieved for us due to being the service delivery team for the manufacturer.”

HOBART Service advise any businesses who are currently under a time-based call out SLA, yet experiencing issues such as first time fixes or parts availability, to revisit the contract and SLA regularly, whilst discussing and exploring what is business critical.

Response times simply state how quickly the service provider must respond to your report of a problem (even if just to confirm receipt of your request).

Repair times (deadline for the problem to be fully solved) also tend to be stated as non-binding targets, or sometimes, are left out entirely.

Customers need an approximate deadline for solving problems. Vendors may explain that repair times are purposely omitted because they cannot estimate repair time until they know the root cause, however, no matter the cause, you are paying for a service you are not getting; therefore, it is entirely reasonable for you to ask for a repair deadline, with a remedy if missed.

For further information about HOBART Service plans, which include three levels of service and maintenance support to suit your requirements and budget please visit https://www.hobartuk.com/service/overview or call 0844 888 7777.

Staff at Rational UK, the leading provider in hot food preparation cooking systems are celebrating their Gold accreditation recently awarded by Investors in People. Only 17% of Investors in People accredited organisations achieve Gold.

A Gold accreditation means that Rational UK have all the required policies in place but more than that, it means everyone within the business take ownership for making them come to life.

Rational the leading provider in hot food preparation equipment, would not be what it is today without its employees. Every employee is encouraged to act as an independent entrepreneur in the company – working with dedication, responsibility and in the interest of the entire company. This approach seems to be on point, as 97% of their UK employees said that they are proud to be working for Rational.

Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate Rational UK. Gold accreditation on We invest in people is a fantastic effort for any organisation, and places Rational UK in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.

Commenting on the award, Helen Varley, People Manager at RATIONAL UK, said: “Here at Rational, we are delighted to receive this prestigious award. The UK team consists of 60 experienced and professional individuals, all of whom contributed to the assessment process. From participating in surveys to attending leadership context meetings that presented an overview of the business and its performance indicators, each team member played a vital role. Many even took part in one-to-one assessor interviews to share their insights.”

During the team celebration, one discussion centered on the growing trend of online betting UK, with several team members sharing observations on how digital platforms are reshaping industries by leveraging user engagement and adaptability. Varley noted that understanding these shifts in consumer behavior mirrors Rational’s own focus on innovation and performance, qualities that helped secure the award. This alignment between emerging trends and the company’s strategic approach highlights the commitment of the team to staying ahead in their field.

The Rational guiding principles and values permeate every aspect of its culture and ways of working. Providing maximum customer benefit has always been the company’s main mission. This is not limited to their external customers but also to colleagues and friends that they work alongside daily. Rational continue to focus on providing maximum customer benefits, keep making changes, keep improving and keep moving forward to improve the lives of both their internal and external customers.

Investors in People believe that the success of organisations begins and ends with people, “If we make work better for everyone, we make work better for every organisation. And if we do that… we make society stronger, healthier and happier.”  Readers can find out more about Investors in people at: www.investorsinpeople.com