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.
We went to lunch!
We took a last minute stand at lunch! - The contemporary food-to-go show, on 20th & 21st September 2017 at the ExCeL, London.
In doing so, we were able to promote ceda and ceda members to the 6,000 visitors that attended the two day trade show.
The event targets the food-to-go market with key buyers from the following sectors in attendance:
- Cafe/Coffee Shop/Sandwich Shop,
- Multiple/Supermarket/Department Store,
- Contract Catering,
- Attractions/Retail/Instore/Airline,
- Delicatessen/Specialist Food Store,
- Fast Food/Garden Centre and
- Sports/Gym/Leisure Centre.
The plethora of sectors represented made it a great fit for us to showcase ourselves, what our members do and the benefits of working with a ceda member, to core operators in the food-to-go industry. Our new branding was on display which clearly demonstrated how ceda membership adds value to any foodservice business and the pool of resources and advice available to members.
As we go forward we hope to grow the ceda membership by exhibiting at various trade shows like this around the country. Let us know if you are attending any shows - we can share the news with other members who may also benefit from exhibiting there. Together we can grow. Together we are connected.
ceda Welcomes Two New Members
ceda Welcomes Two New Members
ceda is happy to welcome two new members this month; Fulcrum Commercial Kitchens Ltd and CaterCover Service.
We continue to see growth in membership and we now have over 100 members representing a combined turnover of more than £500 million.
We’re thrilled to see both companies come aboard. They are each experts in their field and will add strength and value to the ceda brand and membership as we continue to grow. Their skills and knowledge will benefit other ceda members and end users across the foodservice industry.
Fulcrum Commercial Kitchens Ltd are a catering equipment distributor offering a full planning, supply and installation service. They also have a 1200sq.ft warehouse which is fully stocked with ancillary equipment such as gastronorms, taps, oversprays, hand basins, gas hoses, softeners and flykillers for those urgent occasions.
On his decision to join ceda Fulcrum Commercial Kitchens Ltd Director, David Burnett said, “I have known of ceda for many, many years but only recently been aware of the huge, positive changes that Adam has generated within the organisation. The current ceda is an altogether more relevant body, re-asserting its industry credibility and therefore an essential association for Fulcrum to have. I would probably have joined for the E-Learning platform alone, which is a superb tool to assist us with ongoing staff training. As the library of industry-specific modules increases it will provide an even better education resource. The future with ceda by our side is an exciting one.”
CaterCover Service Ltd was formed to provide preventive maintenance, emergency breakdown service and installation for all types of commercial catering and refrigeration equipment. They provide all types of service contracts to suit customers requirements as well as emergency breakdown repairs.
“Applying to join ceda was a sensible decision,” says Paul Pogson, Managing Director at CaterCover Service Ltd. “Along with the other benefits of the ceda community, it will allow us to access the vast information and training facilities that are readily available to all the members of ceda, and this will enable us to develop and expand the services that we supply to our client portfolio. We look forward to a long and close working relationship with ceda in the future.”
ceda Members See Continued Positive Sales in 2nd Quarter
ceda’s most recent Confidence Survey shows continuing strong sales for its members when compared to the same period of last year. 64% of members reported better sales for the period and only 15% saw a reduction. Year to date figures are also positive with 57.4% reporting higher sales for the first half of the year.
How did your sales for the last quarter compare with the same quarter in previous year?
These encouraging figures show that despite the current uncertainties in the political and economic arenas as the UK negotiates its exit from Europe, members are still securing new business for both project design and installation work as well as maintenance and service support contracts.
How do your year-to-date sales for this current year compare with your year-to-date last year?
Commenting on the survey, ceda’s Director General Adam Mason said, “In addition to the positive sales achieved by the majority of members, pleasing too was the number reporting an increase in margin. Enquiries received from the Public Sector remained fairly constant with the real Private Sector growth coming from Hotels and Restaurants. We remain in uncertain times but the positive culture that now permeates through ceda and the membership is very much reflected in these results
With several new members joining in recent weeks, ceda represents over 100 companies with a combined turnover of more than £500 million. High levels of interest in the Industry Catering Equipment Technical Conference taking place in October, further indicates that members are experiencing positive levels of activity in the marketplace.
ceda and CESA to Joint Host the Catering Equipment Industry Technical Conference 2017
ceda and CESA to Joint Host the Catering Equipment Industry Technical Conference 2017
This year’s ceda and CESA organised Technical Conference will see a range of expert speakers deliver updates and seminars on the latest industry specific topics.
Taking place on 11th October at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel, the conference is a must for anyone involved in project sales and management, design and after sales service including senior engineers.
This year’s conference includes two industry firsts – the first presentation on the updated DW172 ventilation regulations and the first introduction to the safe installation, operation and maintenance of solid fuel fired foodservice equipment in commercial premises.
For designers and project staff the business day will feature sessions on:
- The new DW172 ventilation specification and European ventilation standard to be launched by BESA in November 2017
- New Industry Guidance on the safe installation, operation and maintenance of solid fuel fired equipment compiled by ceda together with HETAS
- A seminar on water problems and their treatment
- Surgeries on refrigeration and warewashing problems
For after sales service staff, the conference will feature
- Apprenticeships
- Engineer training initiatives
- Warranties – your questions answered
- A seminar on engineer recruitment and retention
- An update on forthcoming regulations and legislation
- Surgeries on the Gas Regulations, refrigeration and warewashing problems
The frequent refreshment breaks throughout the conference provide an ideal opportunity to network with industry peers and browse the exhibition which will feature amongst others:
- Catering Spares Solutions – new video technology for engineers
- S&S Northern – new ventilation controls
- First Choice Group
- Mechline Developments
- Commercial Catering Spares
- Protean
Previous visitors to the conference have found the event extremely useful; here are few of their comments:
“Listening to the speakers, who are often the people setting our standards, I always leave the conference with far more knowledge regarding our industry than when I arrived”
Steve Skivington – Sco Mac Catering Equipment
“It’s an excellent opportunity to learn from industry specialists. Sitting in a room full of your peers and discovering common issues that are raised in Q&A sessions are really useful to take back and share with colleagues within your own business.”
Gary Mackness – ABDA Design
Tickets can be booked and further information is available at: https://cetechnical.co.uk/
ceda Appoint Creation ADM As New PR & Marketing Agency
ceda Appoint Creation ADM As New PR & Marketing Agency (Mon 4th Sep 2017)
ceda have appointed Manchester based full service agency Creation ADM as their new PR and marketing partner to help them drive growth and increase awareness of ceda in the foodservice and hospitality industry.
Following a competitive bid process, Creation ADM were selected to manage all aspects of ceda’s marketing activities including design, PR, email marketing, web design and social media on a three year contract. The two organisations have already worked successfully together in the development of ceda’s new branding which was launched in June this year.
Creation ADM’s brief covers multiple areas including:
- Increasing industry awareness of ceda as the trade body connecting the diverse areas of design, projects and equipment.
- Achieving a level of recognition in the Industry such that the supply chain aims to use ceda member companies.
- Promoting ceda members and the work that they undertake.
- Increasing ceda’s overall membership.
Commenting on the award, ceda Director General Adam Mason said, “Creation ADM did an excellent job on our rebrand and it was very well received by both members and the industry. Their broad portfolio of clients and the quality of the ideas they presented for our growth strategy meant that they received a unanimous vote from our selection panel.”
Gary Young, Creative Director at Creation ADM said, “working on the rebranding and repositioning of ceda was hugely rewarding and we are delighted to have been appointed to continue this process. There are exciting times ahead.”
The new contract began on the 1st September and everyone at ceda welcomes Creation ADM to the family.
To find out more about our new marketing partners you can visit their website at creationadm.com