H&C News meets with suppliers regularly to keep up to date with the latest product and service innovations, aiming to get the inside track on what companies offer to the market and how it is delivered.
Paul Fieldhouse, Ramco FoodserviceThis week, we met with Paul Fieldhouse, who heads up Ramco’s Foodservices business, fresh from winning two prestigious new clients, a QSR chain, and a major catering equipment distributor, to gain a better understanding of how the surplus assets business works.
What is Ramco and what do you do in the company?
“In 1997 Ramco won a contract to deal with surplus assets from the Ministry of Defence. I am proud that we are still partnering with the MoD today and how that led to Ramco now working with other government departments. Alongside our public sector growth, recent years have seen similar growth in the private sector. Ramco has become a leading provider of compliant, sustainable, and profitable asset disposal through organic service focused growth.
“In early 2017, I was tasked with developing a sustainable business in the foodservice sector for Ramco driven by our growing customer base within the sector. Although Ramco had successfully managed many catering equipment disposal projects over the years, it had previously been enabled through incoming enquiries, recognising this demand we set out to also engage with it proactively. Four years on we are delighted with progress and are now very much looking forward to building on our success in 2021, as sustainability cements its place as ‘the’ business essential.”
Why should the hospitality industry become even more sustainable?
“The industry is already making good progress in reducing food waste, energy and water usage, as well as single use plastics. All making a positive environmental impact. However, consumers are demanding more and there is now clear evidence they are making environmental choices on where and with who they are spending with.
“When it comes to durable goods, it is no longer acceptable for equipment to end up in landfill via a skip. Recycling has been growing, but we are now seeing the emergence of reuse as part of the move towards a more circular economy. Sustainable practices are now an ecological, economical, and ethical necessity.”
What role does second hand or surplus catering equipment play in the UK and how much equipment is there out there?
“There are circa 500,000 commercial kitchens in the UK and the supply of new catering equipment is valued at over £1 billion, with the second-hand market estimated to be worth £250 million. We see the demand for second-hand and used equipment grow as the impact from Covid-19 bites. Our experience in this most extraordinary year has seen us acquire more than 2,000 new buyers and over 30 new clients.”
How does a typical disposal reuse and resale project work in practice?
“We start with an assessment of the client’s requirements, what items are involved, timescales, and expectations. We use technology to view the site remotely and assess the assets involved. Often there’s surprise that we do not charge for the removal, logistics, storage, and disposal. Of course, this will be based on what initial market value we see in the assets. Some items are more saleable than others. A recent gym equipment sale was so successful it more than doubled our client’s expectations. We offer a bespoke service across the UK and we are able to mobilise project teams speedily and efficiently.”
What type of businesses do you work with?
“We are fortunate to be trading with a really diverse client base across both the private and public sectors. This spans government departments, education, manufacturers, retailers, and logistics. Whether your business is an independent hotel or restaurant, a casual dining chain, a catering equipment distributor, facilities management company or contract caterer Ramco will be pleased to help with your surplus assets disposal.
“We recognise that times are tough for many in hospitality at the moment, working with Ramco we ensure any reductions in operations can add disposals of assets to revenues rather than landfill.”
Ramco UK Limited
Church Road South, Skegness, Lincolnshire PE25 3RS
Telephone: +44 (0)1754 882212
Email: enquiries@ramco.co.uk
ramcofoodservices.co.uk