The Catering Equipment Suppliers Association (CESA – representing manufacturers) and the Catering Equipment Distributors Association (CEDA – representing distributors) say there is now more opportunity to work together.
One example of how CESA and CEDA will come together is a sustainability project involving the British Hospitality Association (BHA) and Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI).
As Nick Oryino, chair of CESA, explained: “CESA and CEDA are working with the BHA and FCSI to agree a common approach that will help us reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. Energy- and resource-saving equipment will play a key role in the success of these initiatives.”
The two associations have also launched a joint technical conference, which will take place on Wednesday 2nd October 2013 at the Hellidon Lakes Hotel, Northamptonshire.
“Both the equipment and systems we work with, and the regulations we operate under, are increasingly complex,” added Jack Sharkey, chair of CEDA. “The conference will look at a variety of issues, such as health and safety legislation, servicing schedules and new technologies.”
Other joint projects will include ‘Mind the Gap,’ the ongoing research into attitudes to sustainability within the foodservice industry. The two associations will also work together with the FCSI on end-user training, with the jointly funded relaunch of the ‘Shut it! Fill it! Turn it off!’ campaign, which aims to improve best practice in commercial kitchen equipment operation.
“There is huge scope for the two Associations to work in partnership effectively,” said Sharkey. “We are already looking at educational programmes, apprentice schemes, and developing a code of practice for effective FOG (fats, oils and grease) management.”