Q What is the company's objective?
A To maintain our reputation for setting the industry benchmark for quality and innovation. Hobart is part of ITW, which has a global philosophy to continuously develop innovative products. The group benefits from the research carried out at our ground-breaking technology centre, which develops some of the most efficient, reliable and cost-effective equipment in the world.
Q What are the current issues facing your food service customers?
A In these challenging economic times our customers are becoming more focused on prolonging the life of their equipment, and when they invest in new machines they now evaluate the running costs, efficiency and true cost of ownership. They also consider the after-sales capabilities of an equipment supplier, because disruption caused by slow service can be very costly to any business.
Q How do you help them to address these issues?
A In three ways: we provide a cost-effective preventive maintenance plan to help reduce downtime. This has proved so successful that we have recently extended our service programme to cover other manufacturers' equipment.
Second, Hobart specialises in supplying energy-efficient machines, such as the AMX dishwasher (pictured above) - winner of the Caterer and Hotelkeeper Equipment and Supplies Excellence Awards 2009.
Finally, we offer cost-effective and tax-efficient payment plans, including lease or rental, which can incorporate installation and maintenance.
Q What are the questions your customers ask most regularly?
A We are often asked if we can help with system design and give advice on capacity management. That involves us specifying the correct equipment to deliver each customer's individual menu and identifying workflows to improve operational efficiencies.
Q What do you believe will be the next big trend in your market?
A More of our customers are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their corporate social responsibility. I see the green issues becoming more prominent, with an increased focus on sustainability, recycling, disposal and energy efficiency, as well as extending the life of the equipment. The industry has now recognised that running costs are a major consideration when selecting new equipment.
Q Where does your company stand on green issues?
A Hobart is fully committed to pursuing our green policy. We are continuously developing processes to reduce energy consumption and, in turn, reduce the damaging CO2 emissions by designing equipment that not only outperforms our competitors, but delivers unique benefits for our customers.
Q Long term, where's the business going?
A For more than 100 years Hobart has designed and manufactured reliable machines for all sectors of the catering industry. Our goal is to continue to work closely with our customers and deliver the next generation of product innovations to support their vision.
FACTS
Company name Hobart UK
Address 51 The Bourne, Southgate, London N14 6RT
Tel 0844 888 7777
Website www.hobartuk.com
Area of operation UK and Ireland
Products Ware, glass and utensil washers, cooking ranges, convection steamers and ovens, fryers, modular cooking equipment, grills, charbroilers, bratt pans, mixers, cutters and food processors, counter-top and under-counter boilers, upright and counter refrigeration and service
Brands Hobart, Bonnet
Market sectors Restaurants, caf‚s, hotels, pubs, leisure, QSR, B&I, healthcare, education
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