Product news


Red Sea shipping crisis could raise global foodservice equipment prices


By Clare Nicholls


The cost of foodservice equip- ment imported from east Asia could rocket if the current Red Sea shipping crisis continues, a dealer has warned. With many freight firms now avoiding the Suez Canal passage due to attacks from Yemeni Houthi rebels, the alternative prolonged journey around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope could impact the wider global supply chain in terms of both pricing and lead times. Some UK foodservice equip-


ment dealers are already feeling the pinch, with Bridgwater-based H2 Catering Equipment con- cerned that it may have to raise rates for operators. The firm’s


director Dale Howard told The Caterer: “2024 has only just


News in brief


Rum supplier E&A Scheer and its subsidiary the Main Rum Company have switched owners from the Riverside


Company to Platinum Equity. Riverside Europe’s partner Damien Gaudin noted that since the investment firm bought E&A Scheer in February 2019, it has focused on growing the rum business by “enlarging and internationalising the customer base, as well as improving profitability through ultra- premium rum categories”. E&A Scheer also doubled its workforce, moved into a new headquarters and created customer experience centres in Amsterdam and Liverpool.


Gelato and ice-cream equipment manufacturer Carpigiani has announced the dates for its UK Gelato University (GU) and Discovery Days, offering insight into the world of artisan


Italian gelato. The Carpigiani GU Introduction to Gelato course is aimed at potential gelato


entrepreneurs who want to learn about how to produce high- quality, authentic gelato.


Artisanal Spirits Company buys US whiskey brand Single Cask Nation


Whisky creator Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) has bought out the trade and assets of US-based inde- pendent whiskey and spirit bottling brand Single Cask Nation (SCN). The deal allows ASC to expand


its presence in the US and develop an American whiskey offer to complement the US branch of the Scotch Malt Whisky Soci- ety (SMWS), which the UK firm owns globally. The transaction’s valuation has


not been disclosed, though the firm revealed the consideration comprises an upfront committed payment, with the potential for a larger earn out of up to $500,000 (£394,000) payable dependent on key performance criteria being met in 2024 and 2025. ASC believes SCN is both com- plementary and incremental to its existing business. SMWS will continue to focus on delivering Scotch malt whisky, while SCN will develop a greater focus on American whiskey. The acquisi- tion is also intended to allow ASC


products@thecaterer.com Single Cask Nation intends to increase its focus on American whiskey


to incubate and trial new product propositions in a low-cost and low-risk way, with the scope to expand in due course. The US company was founded


in 2011 by Jason Johnstone-Yellin and Joshua Hatton to source and bottle rare single-cask and lim- ited-edition whiskies and other spirits for sale both online and through specialty on- and off- premise accounts in the US and


other key international markets. Both founders will remain with


the company and will be sup- ported by whiskey industry vet- eran Steve Hawley, president of the American Single Malt Whis- key commission and former vice- president of global marketing for Westland Distillery in Seat- tle, who has also joined the ASC team to help grow and expand its business in the US.


www.thecaterer.com H2 Catering Equipment said shipping rates have increased 500%


begun yet our shipping rates have already increased by 500% this month due to the shipping crisis. It’s uncertain how long this will last, but we are expecting it to con- tinue for at least a few months. I think we may see increases across the board for catering


equipment, particularly refrig- eration and cooking appliances. “As a business we are doing our


very best to absorb this cost and remain competitive, however it’s difficult to see this not affecting the whole industry.” While firms dropshipping


Asian equipment brands’ products would be the first to be hit with the consequences of a prolonged shipping diversion, in turn affect- ing foodservice costs, the current status across the sector’s supply chain is far from universal. Steve Hemsil, community development manager at catering dealer association CEDA, warned companies bringing in finished products via the Red Sea route could see “a number of issues”. He said: “Firstly, finished stock could be delayed, having a knock-on effect on lead times, and missing due dates that have been agreed with dealers, our members. Also the rising costs of transport to bypass the Red Sea or fly prod- ucts in, which for finished goods can be very expensive, will see the cost of goods increase.”


MOLPIX/SHUTTERSTOCK


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48