Issue 2 2020

24 Acquisition International - Issue 2 2020 Oct19411 Catering to the Masses Having recently received an award for UK’s Best Catering Equipment Engineering Company – 2020, Catering Equipment Support is going from strength-to-strength. Simon Tavender tells us more. atering Equipment Support (CES) Limited offers more than 125 combined years’ worth of experience in maintaining, servicing, repair and fault finding for all makes of catering equipment, and offers a turnkey solution for all catering equipment needs. With offices in Eastleigh, Southampton and Hertfordshire, the firm also boasts a specialist department which offers Computer Aided Design (CAD) for the design and Project Management of new and refurbished kitchens, as well as ensuring that new equipment is installed to its optimum space potential. CES is an agent for all main manufacturers, including Rational and MKN. The portfolio of CES customers range from commercial restaurants, public attractions, county councils, schools, colleges, sports arenas and hospitals. Managing Director, Simon Tavender, tells us more about the firm and its rationale. “At CES, we understand that properly working equipment is essential to a busy kitchen, effective preventative maintenance is the key to reducing equipment downtime,” he begins. “As such, we have immediate and effective solutions for all of your Catering Equipment needs, from a responsive breakdown service to planned maintenance, equipment supplies, and installation backed by our in-house design and project management.” With long term contract partners, where applicable, CES seeks prior agreement to return equipment to service whilst on the service visit or call-out, up to an agreed value, to ensure a speedy repair service and to minimalise the disruption to the production. “Our service is relationship driven,” Simon continues. “The Goodwood Estate recently proclaimed that in the six and half years they have run the contracts they haven’t had such good service as we have given since the start of our tenure. Recent accolades include the Industry Catering Insight Awards 2019 Shortlisted for best in development. We also continue to lead in the educational sector reactive repairs and maintenance services, particularly for Hertfordshire County Council. “Ultimately, word of mouth has been our mainstay in building our strong portfolio.” Staff at CES play a large part in ensuring the continued success of the company, with engineers being factory trained and maintain all types of equipment, and spare parts stock holding is comprehensive, as is the supply chain. “Our Engineers are trained under the philosophy that if you service correctly and look in detail to identify possible degradation of components this enables us to predict future breakdowns. If we can predict these future breakdowns coupled with clear and precise communication to our customers, it allows us to prevent a great number of performance interventions.” C In addition to hard work, Simon is keen to point out that there is a great work/life balance for every at CES. “We work to live. Everybody in the company had a direct input in our success. Family life comes first and we accommodate wherever possible to support employees which reflects in professionalism and dedication. We have collated a strong industry-recognised team offering a wealth of experience to our clients.” It is partly down to this refreshing philosophy that CES has been crowned UK’s Best Catering Equipment Engineering Company – 2020, as awarded by Acquisition International magazine, and the future for CES looks bright, with expansion on the horizon, as Simon highlights: “We have already taken on three new members of staff in 2019 expanding our engineering base and sales team out of our Hertfordshire office. Our head office team has also expanded to support our new contract on the Goodwood estate. With opportunity to expand into different UK regions and a development project to create a supply chain into Poland in 2020.” Contact Details Company: Catering Equipment Support Ltd Web Address: www.cateringequipmentsupport.co.uk “We have already taken on three new members of staff in 2019 expanding our engineering base and sales team out of our Hertfordshire office.”