Catering supplier framework creates ongoing relationships
The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO)’s supplier framework brings together university caterers and suppliers which often result in ongoing relationships.
O ne such supplier is
H G Stephensons Catering Equipment, a TUCO approved
supplier and family business with a heritage of over 145 years in the provision of light and capital equipment to catering facilities. Jamie Murphy, Public Sector Account Manager at the firm, who also has over 22 years’ experience of working in local authority catering himself, explains, “The TUCO Supplier Framework is an excellent vehicle not only for TUCO Member universities and colleges to seek out all manner of suppliers with a proven track record in supplying and fitting the sector, but for suppliers such as ourselves, it also provides an opportunity to build on our local authority customer base. “We have an ongoing relationship with the University of Liverpool, and have been supplying their catering equipment for the past four years. Our most recent project for the university – secured following a mini tender – was the supply and fit out of student residential accommodation Vine Court, the University’s newest residence, offering both catered and self-catered options for 750 students.
“I personally oversaw the project in conjunction with Ann Bickerstaffe, Senior Procurement Manager at the University. We supplied all manner of catering equipment items for the project, from smaller items like crockery and pans to heavier capital catering equipment such as heavy duty contact grill stations, panini grills and plumbed-in counter top water heaters.
“Over three days we coordinated the
delivery, inventory and installation of over 5,000 items, and our inherent experience of the catering equipment needs of Higher and Further Education institutions, as well as existing background of working with the University of Liverpool, meant our role at the site was more than just supplier. I was able to provide a consultative role, making relevant suggestions to improve the project.”
Ann adds, “After appointing H G Stephensons as our supplier, they made everything so easy for us. Jamie oversaw everything, provided samples and coordinated the entire project. His consultative approach made everything run smoothly, and he went the extra mile to ensure we were happy every step of the way.”
Another catering equipment supplier, Kitchequip, has benefitted from being listed as a TUCO approved supplier, and its expertise in working with colleges and universities.
The company was considered as a 22 feature
suitable supplier for a major project by Greenwich Community College to complete an installation both because it held TUCO approved status and had worked with the college before Kitchequip Director Darren Hall, who went on to project manage the installation, was contracted by John Ettridge, Facilities Manager at the College, who had a specific brief for the fit-out of a catering training kitchen. John explains, “We
selected Kitchequip to fit/complete the installation at the college’s catering training facility, as not only did the firm respond to the brief very specifically – including detailed layout drawings so we could see exactly what the final layout would look like – but it offered a competitive price and proven expertise. We had an exact idea of how we wanted the kitchen to look and their design was spot on.”
The brief required the design, production and fitting of 13 bespoke cooking stations, to accommodate 12 students and one teacher, to catering industry standard and tough enough for constant use and all manner of lessons.
The Kitchequip team drew on its knowledge of the industry and previous design experience to present a completely bespoke design, as Hall explains, “We knew that as well as being a working catering space, this project was also a teaching space, so we needed to
design it in a way which would allow for a tutor to move between units to observe and instruct easily, as well as including all the necessary space and functionality of a fully functional commercial kitchen. “All surfaces were designed to the highest specification using stainless steel and each workstation included a fridge and cooker, with units polished and welded throughout.”
The project was completed inside two months and was just what was needed, as Ettridge concludes, “The Kitchequip team was responsive and worked with us to amend original ideas for a final result to match the curriculum needs, delivered on time and worked well with our building contractors. As they were listed on the TUCO supplier framework we had confidence in their experience and knowledge, as well as the quality of their work.”
http://www.tuco.org
Building & Facilities Management – September 2013
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