ceda Chairman's Christmas message
To Members
It has been a year that, in one sense, has flown by and in another sense seems to have lasted a decade. ceda plans, research and ideas continue to come to fruition and we are really delivering our ceda 2022 Development Strategy to take us through to our 50th Anniversary.
The ceda Confidence Survey has continued to show consistent, positive feedback in terms of growth and sustainability for the overwhelming majority of Members businesses which is pleasing.
The major piece of work being the rebrand that was undertaken and we are receiving positive feedback from the membership and wider industry already.
Our presence at Commercial Kitchen Show and Lunch!, in addition to industry events such as; the LACA Conference, the NACC Forum, ASSIST FM Conference and Cost Sector Catering Awards etc has grown and with it so has our ability to inform end-users, operators and customers of the outstanding work that ceda Members undertake.
Membership numbers have grown by 10% and we are better engaged with Members than ever before – this was demonstrated with record Member attendance at November Regional Meetings and the ceda Academy.
Our appointment of Creation ADM to deliver our marketing plans and objectives is another really positive step and development work is being undertaken that will see brand new websites, increased social media activity, more video, more photography and increased presence at exhibitions ramp up in the New Year.
On the technical side, the suite of documents now available in the Members Area of the website has grown – all having a real and positive impact on Members businesses. And the publication of the Solid Fuel Guidance document was a fantastic output for the Association.
All in all, a positive year with lots accomplished and lots still to do.
I close with a quote, published in the industry press, from a company that has joined ceda in the last few months;
“To round off an eventful 12 months we accepted the kind invitation to join ceda, which has undergone an incredibly positive transformation. This is now an essential affiliation for any distributor to have and it’s reassuring to have ceda’s backing in our armoury.”
The culture of ceda has changed and 2018 will see us communicate this to the wider industry, as never before.
I thank you for supporting me as your Chair since April, a position I am proud to hold.
May I wish you and your families a happy and peaceful Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Mark Kendall,
ceda Chairman
A BIG ceda Thanks!
Last week we concluded five weeks of meetings and want to say a big thank you for your attendance, support and input.
On consecutive Wednesdays we had Technical Group, Southern Regional, Northern Regional, Academy and Board meetings, all of which had record numbers of Members attending.
The outputs for ceda are really significant and we are already moving forward on some exciting projects as a direct result of the views and ideas that you shared.
We feel better engaged with Members than ever before and can really deliver positive solutions for you and your business as a result of this.
So a BIG ceda thanks to you all!
ceda Members Personal Invitation To Smeg Launch Event - 16th & 17th January 2018
ceda Silver Partner Smeg Foodservice wish to invite ceda members to an exciting launch event at their new commercial showroom and training facility in the New Year...
Please RSVP to foodservice@smeguk.com
ceda Welcomes New Member: GMGK LTD
ceda Welcomes New Member: GMGK LTD
We’re delighted to welcome aboard another new ceda member!
GMGK LTD specialise in the sales, service and installation of commercial catering equipment.
They work with leading specialist suppliers to meet their customer’s commercial catering equipment needs. GMGK Ltd engineers service catering, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment and carry out call-out repairs on all types of catering and refrigeration equipment. Maintenance contracts are available to achieve the best performance from your catering equipment.
GMGK LTD Managing Director, Martin Chapman, explained his reasons for deciding to join ceda, “Being a relatively new and smaller business within the catering equipment industry I believe it’s important to show dedication to providing the best service for our clients and by joining ceda we believe this shows a commitment to provide a service to the highest standards.”
He continues, “We noticed ceda becoming a more advertised association through social media, various catering magazines and events and felt now was the time to get on board. GMGK Ltd look forward to working with ceda in providing excellence and to achieve growth with a recognised supporting association.”
Q3 confidence survey shows further positive sales
ceda members appear to be continuing an upward quarter-by-quarter trend. Results from the recent Q3 confidence survey show 54% of ceda members are experiencing positive growth against the previous quarter.
How did your sales for the last quarter compare with the previous quarter?
Similarly, 52% of the ceda membership reported better year-on-year sales when comparing Q3 in 2016 with Q3 in 2017.
How did your sales for the last quarter compare with the same quarter in previous year?
Year-to-date sales are also better for 54% of those surveyed. Whilst uncertainty still remains over the UK's Brexit negotiations, the results show increased confidence in the industry when compared to the same quarter in 2016, just after the Leave vote.
How do your year-to-date sales for this current year compare with your year-to-date last year?
Cautious optimism also appears to be prevalent in forecast sales for Q4. 46% of ceda members predict better sales, compared to Q3 and 33% expect sales to remain the same.
How do you forecast your sales for the next quarter compared with the previous quarter?
What is clear from all the results gathered from the Q3 survey is steady growth across the industry. As in other recent surveys, the majority of sales and enquiries recorded by ceda members from both the public and private sectors are consistent. Restaurants continue to dominate private sector enquiries and we hope ceda members can galvanise this trend by putting their names in front of the booming UK restaurant scene.
Discussions at the recent ceda Southern and Northern Regional Meetings also reflect these results, with members North and South experiencing steady growth, optimism for the future and an excitement for the industry as a whole.
ceda Launches Solid Fuel Fired Catering Equipment Industry Guidelines
Solid fuel fired catering equipment has seen a huge increase in popularity in the last couple of years and ceda’s technical support advisor, Peter Kay, is frequently asked for information on the industry regulations relating to the use and installation of this type of equipment in commercial kitchens.
With no “ready-made” document available, Peter has spent the last 18 months in close collaboration with HETAS (www.hetas.co.uk) to produce some much-needed industry guidelines. These are in harmony with the latest version of DW172, the specification for commercial kitchen ventilation systems.
There are a number of risks associated with this type of equipment including:
- Production of carbon monoxide
- Sparks from the fuels being burned
- Very high temperature exhaust fumes
Aimed at a broad cross section of the industry, the guide is recommended for foodservice operators, kitchen design teams, equipment suppliers and installers, ventilation designers and engineers, maintenance engineers and ventilation cleaning specialists.
Topics covered include all aspects of equipment selection and positioning, ventilation, fire suppression, equipment operation, fuel types plus storage and handling, cleaning equipment and ductwork and maintenance issues.
ceda expects the guide to become the “go to” document for the industry.
The document entitled “Guidance on best practice for the safe installation, operation and maintenance of solid fuel fired catering equipment in commercial premises” is available from ceda for a cost of £50. To order a copy please visit our website ceda.co.uk/contact-us/ or contact us on 01386 793911 or by email at info@ceda.co.uk.
ceda Silver Partners BOSS Contract Furniture Ltd kit-out Sandbanks Hotel
ceda Silver Partners, BOSS Contract Furniture Ltd, have just completed a full supply of furniture to all public areas at the famous Sandbanks Hotel in Poole, Dorset.
This project included furniture for the hotel's main restaurant, bar, lounges, conservatory, reception and coffee areas.
Tables and chairs were supplied for the restaurant, sofas, tub chairs and coffee tables for the bar and three-seater sofas, lounge chairs and coffee tables for the lounges, conservatory, reception and coffee areas.
All furniture for the project was supplied through a local distributor who also gave BOSS the lead and asked them to be their furniture experts to secure this large furniture project.
We are told that BOSS will be the furniture suppliers for any future requirements for Sandbanks or any of their other group hotels.
Items for discussion at the ceda November meetings
As you know, we have three meetings coming up in November:
- 8th November – Technical Steering Group
- 15th November – Southern Regional Meeting
- 22nd November – Northern Regional Meeting
If you have any items that you would like to raise for discussion or action at any of these meetings, we do have time factored into the Agendas to do so and if we have notice, we can prepare and research the topics.
Whether it’s challenges or issues that you are facing with suppliers, customers, technical support or any third party provider and you would like it addressed, please do email Adam or Peter directly with your thoughts and concerns and we can make time in the meeting schedules to raise the matter.
Anonymity can be granted if required! We look forward to hearing from you and for your contribution.
The ceda Technical Awards 2017
The ceda Technical Awards 2017
The ceda Technical Awards were introduced last year to recognise and reward outstanding achievements by ceda members and suppliers.
Awards were present at an awards evening following The Catering Equipment Industry Technical Conference in Nottingham on 11th October. There were two awards for individuals and one for a member company as well as one for a supplier.
The first award was the Technical Rising Star award which recognises someone who has been in their current job for less than 5 years and who has made a significant difference to the service to a member’s customers. The judges shortlisted two candidates for this award:
Matthew Bridges – HB Catering and Refrigeration Ltd
Matt joined HB as a mature apprentice having been to university where he gained a degree in Design Technology before undertaking several courses as he was keen to get into the fire service. He came to the attention HB as his father is a refrigeration engineer with whom some of HB’s senior engineers had apprenticed with and as the fire service was not recruiting, Matt was looking for an apprenticeship. Since joining the company he has progressed quickly to achieve his gas and refrigeration accreditations and is now working as an installation engineer responsible for sourcing all the material, arranging deliveries and accommodation for himself and other engineers and doing commissioning and handover to clients. One client, Chris Ferriday Head of Property for Brains Brewery said, “Can you please pass on a personal thank you to Matt Bridges who carried out the training at the Dock on Monday. I was extremely impressed with the confidence of the detailed delivery of training that was provided to the Operational management team”. His MD describes him as a great asset to the company.
Sam Howe – Court Catering Equipment Ltd
Sam came into the company as a trainee engineer in 2013. Prior to joining the business Sam had qualified as a water sports instructor however he realised that he had very limited opportunities in that sector. Sam is now a fully qualified gas and electrical catering engineer. He is by his own admission not the finished article, as he wants to progress further with dishwasher work but has really shone as of late in the department by furthering his career and undertaking his comcat 5 and LPG gas tickets this year. He is always willing to learn and go that extra step to ensure any job is completed to the best of his ability. Sam has been out on his own for the last 18 months and has really become a key valuable member of the Court team.
The winner was Matt Bridges who received a top of the range Kane flue gas analyser donated by Commercial Catering Spares.
The second individual award was for the Apprentice of the Year. The two candidates considered for this award were:
Scott Jordan – Airedale Technical Care
Scott joined the company in 2016 at the age of 18 and was initially mentored by a number of experienced engineers to the point that by 2016 he had achieved his Gas ACS Accreditations, however, it was clear that there was an attitude issue with Scott not wanting to be late home and avoiding early starts in a morning. After a review meeting with his Technical Manager it was made clear that things would have to change if he was to succeed in the Hospitality industry which is 24/7. Since that day, he has embraced all the challenges presented to him and now always goes the extra mile to ensure the customer gets the best possible service.
Andy Smith – Court Catering Equipment Ltd
Andy joined court in 2012 as a dishwasher engineer having had some experience in this area but having previously worked as a French polisher and a golf instructor, jobs far removed from the role of a catering service engineer. The company very quickly realised that he was capable of much more and therefore put him onto a fast track training schedule with a senior engineer since when he has achieved his full Natural and LP Gas Com-Cat Accreditations, attended several manufacturers’ courses and is already progressed to the stage where he is training another engineer.
The winner was Scott Jordan who receives £500 worth of tools donated by First Choice Catering Spares
The ceda member company award is the Groundbreaker Award. This award is to recognise and reward a technical initiative that has been introduced by a member which benefits their customers. The judges again shortlisted two entries;
Vision Commercial Kitchens – for the Catering Engineer UK Forum
What was initially intended as a means of finding engineers who could carry out maintenance and repair work for Vision has now developed into a busy forum where engineers can seek help from other engineers resulting in faster fault diagnosis, more first time fixes and less recalls, all of which benefit customers. One ceda member who uses the forum describes it as “a priceless tool which is used by over 500 engineers”.
CHR Equipment – for developing flood proof induction technology
Following the devastating floods caused by storm Desmond in December 2015, the all electric cooking suite at the Castle Dairy restaurant in Kendal was damaged beyond repair and the restaurant’s insurers were not willing to provide new cover unless the client could guarantee that the replacement equipment was “flood proof”. CHR not only designed unique Induction Cooking facilities in which the main components were housed at high level but also built into the cooking suite a platform lift which could raise the unit above flood water levels.
The winner was Vision Commercial Kitchens.
The above awards were judged by Nick Oryino, Chairman of the Catering Engineers Standards and Regulations Board and Jonathan Booth, Managing Director of Commercial Catering Spares.
The supplier award was to recognise outstanding technical support to ceda members and particularly their engineers. This award was voted for by ceda members and the top three companies were:
First Choice Catering Spares
Maidaid – Halcyon
Meiko UK
– The winner was Meiko UK Ltd
The Catering Equipment Industry Technical Conference
The Catering Equipment Industry Technical Conference
Last week (11th October 2017) saw us host The Catering Equipment Industry Technical Conference, a conference we jointly organise with CESA. The theme for this year’s conference was “Focus on the Future”.
The conference included two “firsts” namely the launch of the new DW172 “Specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems” which was introduced by Peter Rogers of BESA and the launch of a new document entitled “Guidance on best practice for the safe installation, operation and maintenance of solid fuel fired catering equipment in commercial premises” which has been jointly produced by ceda and HETAS. This was delivered by Peter Kay of ceda.
Other sessions covered Apprenticeships, Updates on Regulations and Standards and an update on the ceda/CESA Engineer Training courses which are delivered by our licensee Combico.
One of the highlights of the day was a Q&A session relating to manufacturers’ warranties where it became clear that most distributors were dissatisfied with many manufacturers’ policies and performance. ceda will be working closely with members and partners to try to develop a standard or set of options that meet everyone’s requirements.
We had two seminars; one covering water quality within food service and the effect water has on equipment led by Steve Buckmaster of BRITA; and recruitment and training of ex forces personnel as service engineers led by Tony Mooney of Live the Dream with support from Martin Dagnall of Combico.
Delegates could also have one-to-one meetings with specialists on such topics as Refrigeration, The Gas Regulations, Warewashing problems and Apprenticeships. The conference was hosted by Richard West who also delivered an interesting session highlighting how some companies are thinking outside the box when planning for the future.
Nick Oryino, Chairman of the Catering Engineers Standards and Regulations Board said that the conference was the best he had ever attended adding that every presentation was very interesting and held his attention.
Following the conference business day there was an awards dinner, details of which can be found here.