ceda supporting the sector following the Carillion crisis
Catering trade association ceda have offered their support to foodservice sector companies affected by the liquidation of construction giant Carillion, announced on Monday.
The news sent shockwaves through the construction industry, its supply chain and the nation. Build UK, the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry, has thrown its weight behind the Carillion supply chain and is representing their needs in on-going talks directly with Government, attending a meeting with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on Monday.
As a founding member of Build UK, and the only Association member specific to the foodservice industry, ceda are able to feed into these discussions and represent those companies in the foodservice sector affected by Carillion’s collapse.
In pledging his organisation’s assistance, ceda Director General Adam Mason said, “As the fallout from the Carillion collapse dominates the political agenda, our unique position within the Build UK membership, places us at the forefront for any foodservice business now facing uncertain times. We are a direct route to help and support and this week to date we have been in regular communication with Members but we call on any business in the sector, ceda Members or not, who are, or feel they may be, affected by the Carillion crisis to get in touch.
“The immediate concerns and actions are with those businesses in our sector directly affected by the Carillion liquidation, but beyond that we will continue to work with Build UK to highlight that the construction business model needs to change as current conditions, payment terms and operating margins are not sustainable.”
New ceda website launches
As part of our re-brand and ongoing marketing plans, we have launched a brand new, customer-focused website
We announced last year, the appointment of Creation ADM as our new PR and marketing partners. Since then they have been busy creating a brand new website for us that reflects the ceda values and our direction for the future.
Whilst you will find familiar content from the old website, you’ll see a vast improvement in the aesthetics and functionality of the site. The front end of the website is designed to attract end-users, operators and customers to learn more about the work that ceda and ceda Members do, as well as connecting them with ceda Members.
Some of the changes are subtle yet important in the consistency we are trying to achieve across all our marketing efforts whether it be social media, email newsletters, exhibition banners, our new pin badges and our print correspondence.
The new ceda branding that we unveiled last year takes centre stage on the new site. Part of this included coloured categories; design (green), equipment (red) and projects (orange) which you’ll see implemented across the website.
Navigation on the desktop site takes the form of graphical icons, again in the new corporate colours, to bring to life and add interest to the content. The biggest change is a more streamlined and user-friendly ‘Find A Specialist’ section. We know this is one of the most used functions of the website and so we’ve given it greater gravitas by making it the second navigation menu item. Once on the page itself, the way you search for Members is more robust, and the results more specific. You’ll enter sector, service, and region requirements to bring you the most targeted results possible. Try it for yourself: Ask A Specialist.
Whilst we’re talking about finding Members, Creation have asked us, to ask you, to consider updating your profile on the ceda website. Please take some time to review your content and send us any updates. Quite a few of you are missing images and logos. We really need this content to show you off as best as possible.
Another highlight of the new website is the Gallery. Here we want to build up a visual representation of impressive Member projects to highlight your successes and bring together the best of ceda. We’ve made a start by including the most recent ceda Grand Prix winners, but we need more! Please send us up to 6 high quality images and approx 200 words of projects you’ve been involved in, for consideration. Please email marketing@ceda.co.uk.
In the Members Area, you will find the same comprehensive amount of technical documentation, details on services, how to make the most of using the ceda brand and up to date industry information as well as a link to the E-Learning platform. You will be able to submit your entries for the Grand Prix Awards here too. We hope you’ll find this content of use.
We’re really pleased with the new site and believe it showcases the ceda brand and what it means to be a ceda Member in 2018 and beyond.
Please take some time to explore and familiarise yourself with the site; it will be a valuable tool for you during your Membership. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to any feedback you may have – positive or constructive.
ceda welcomes new member: Willis Jenkins Ltd
ceda welcomes new member: Willis Jenkins Ltd
We’re pleased to welcome our first new ceda Member for 2018!
Willis Jenkins Ltd offer complete kitchen solutions to the commercial catering industry.
Covering design, supply and installation, they provide a turnkey solution with an aim to provide the best solutions for every project whether it be for a restaurant, bar, school or contract caterer, single item or entire kitchen.
John Eaton of Willis Jenkins Ltd, offered their reasons for joining, “We have known about ceda for a number of years but never considered it to be something we should be a part of, however with increased demands placed upon our technical and legislative knowledge we felt that ceda offered a comprehensive support package to keep us up to date and in a position to answer our clients needs.
We’re thrilled to learn that news of our support services are spreading and directly influencing new Members to join! Here’s to many more new Members in 2018 as we continue to grow the brand, and shine a light on our industry.
Kit Out The Kitchen: advisory panel invitation to ceda Members
ceda Members have been invited to attend an advisory panel for The Professional Kitchen Show...
Dear ceda Member,
I would like to invite you to attend a special advisory session to discuss the future development of The Professional Kitchen Show.
As you are no doubt aware, The Professional Kitchen Show is the new name for the catering equipment event at Hotelympia. In recent months we have been considering how best to develop this new brand and how to improve the quality of the buying audience attending this and our sister event in Birmingham, The Hospitality Show.
We are now able to share with you more details about our strategy and the significant investment we are looking to make to develop these events as well as the opportunities to introduce new products and services to complement them.
In order for us to make these important decisions we would like to invite you to attend an advisory session at ExCeL on the 16th of January 2018.
The session will be preceded by a buffet lunch from 12.30pm, followed by a presentation by myself and an open forum to discuss our plans and hear any suggestions about how these might be developed. We will aim to conclude the session at 2.30pm.
Please can you RSVP to Lyndsey Martin as soon as conveniently possible.
I look forward to seeing you on the 16th January.
All the best,
Ross Carter
Event Director
Commercial Catering Spares Ltd acquired by GEV Group
Commercial Catering Spares Ltd acquired by GEV Group
ceda Silver Partner Commercial Catering Spares Ltd has been acquired by GEV Group.
GEV & CCS: More stock, more availability, less time
GEV GROUP are pleased to announce the acquisition of Commercial Catering Spares Ltd, consequently providing the largest stock-holding availability for delivery next day anywhere within the UK.
The strategic purchase of CCS grows the GEV GROUP’s presence in the UK. By continuing to supply the OEM parts through CCS, the acquisition supports GEV’s growth strategy with an emphasis on OEM parts specifically in the UK – and, in addition,for all international markets.
The huge range of parts held by GEV as well as further investments in stock, warehousing operations and IT systems will position the company in the market with a comprehensive spare parts solution required by existing and new UK customers, irrespective of their size.
Both the GEV UK office and CCS will be managed by Jonathan Booth, current Managing Director of CCS, and will continue to be run from their Heywood site. Alexander Wiegand, GEV’s Managing Director, commented: “We are pleased and proud to welcome Jonathan Booth and his highly qualified team as the latest member of the GEV Group. Jonathan has grown CCS over the last 20 years to be one of the leading catering spare parts companies in the UK. We are convinced the strengths of both companies will create an engine for long-term growth”.
Jonathan Booth commented that the spares market in the UK is changing and: “I am glad to join the GEV GROUP and am convinced this will further strengthen CCS’s competitive position. I hope the industry will embrace this move to further improve service levels and to promote OEM parts”.
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.