Falcon Foodservice Equipment and Williams Refrigeration: Supplier profile
Continuing our series looking behind the scenes at some of the major suppliers to the hospitality market, we catch up with Malcolm Harling, sales and marketing director, Falcon Foodservice Equipment & Williams Refrigeration
Q What is the company's objective?
A To provide high-quality, affordable, energy-efficient, sustainable prime cooking and refrigeration equipment to the food service industry. Our commitment is to help customers meet the demands of complex legislation for food safety and energy efficiency, together with competitive pricing, professional advice and innovative design.
Q What are the current issues facing your food service customers?
A Rising costs are the most prevalent issue, particularly for foodstuffs and energy, as well as falling customer levels in this current climate. Clients are now looking beyond the initial capital cost to whole life costs. Our major Plc customers are facing many challenges under their corporate social responsibility policies and are asking manufacturers to help them reduce their carbon emissions.
Q How do you help them address these issues?
A As part of our Greenlogic programme we are providing ever increasing energy-efficient equipment and advice and helping customers identify ways to reduce their energy bills.
We are also assisting clients by having products from within our portfolio attracting tax benefits through initiatives such as the Energy Technology List.
Our commitment to energy efficiency, sustainability and ecological awareness is promoted throughout our manufacturing operations - for example, Williams was first to launch CFC-free foam in commercial refrigeration.
Q What are the questions your customers ask most regularly?
A "What added value can you provide?" We provide a wide range of products offering a number of features as standard throughout our range as well as a raft of options giving us the flexibility to offer a complete customer solution.
Q What do you believe will be the next big trend in your market?
A Quick service restaurants, "grab and go" and fast food look set to continue their increase in the food service sector. From a manufacturing perspective, we need to work with our suppliers to develop more advanced, efficient gas-burner solutions, more efficient refrigeration fans and compressors plus new environmentally friendly refrigerant gases. Our customers will be looking to us to supply energy-efficient and waste-reducing features as standard, as opposed to having to pay a premium for them.
Given that refrigerators are electromechanical products that consume electricity, operate under pressure, use volatile/ozone-depleting substances (often with a global warming potential), the industry has become a legislation magnet. Hence it will be future legislation that sets the trend.
Q Long term, where is the business going?
A We will continue with our ongoing product development programmes. These will ensure the continued supply of the most innovative and energy-efficient products in today's market by taking advantage of ongoing advances in component technology. We will also continue our planned expansion into new international markets.
FACTS
Company name Falcon Foodservice Equipment
Address Hillfoots Road, Stirling, FK9 5PY
Tel 01786 455 200
Websitewww.falconfoodservice.com
Area of operation UK
Products Prime cooking equipment
Brands Chieftain, Dominator, Eloma, Infinity, Pro-lite
Market sectors Hotels, restaurants, leisure developments, supermarkets, retail chains, breweries, pubs, contract caterers and craft bakeries
Company name Williams Refrigeration
Address Bryggen Road, North Lynn Industrial Estate, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE30 2HZ
Tel 01553 817000
Websitewww.williams-refrigeration.com Area of operation International
Products High-performance refrigerated cabinets, counters, prep stations, blast chillers, coldrooms and bakery equipment
Brands Williams, Williams Gem
Market sectors Hotels, restaurants, leisure developments, supermarkets, retail chains, breweries, pubs, contract caterers and craft bakeries
MORE SUPPLIER PROFILES
