Equipment suppliers rally to reassure customers
Foodservice equipment manufacturers are coming together to support businesses as they work through the coronavirus crisis.
Hot food preparation equipment manufacturer Rational has said that during these adverse times, the wellbeing of customers is top priority.
In the short-term, the Rational Academies have been suspended, but Rational will continue "as far as it is practical to offer next day delivery and installation on the full range of Rational equipment."
British catering equipment manufacturer Falcon said it is committed to providing the highest level of customer service and is taking all necessary steps to ensure it continues to provide the level of service and support the market expects.
Peter McAllister, Falcon's managing director, commented: "We have stock in multiple locations across the UK to ensure we are able to deliver the products customers need, when they need them, including next day if required. Our spare parts warehouse is fully stocked and parts can be delivered anywhere in the country, next day."
Fellow UK manufacturer Lincat has announced urgent support measures for NHS and public sector caterers.
Helen Applewhite, marketing manager at Lincat, stated: "The current coronavirus crisis is placing huge pressure on our frontline public health services and in a bid to help support catering operations in our hospitals, care homes, and other public sector organisations, we are prioritising the process of both product and parts orders and offering a free next-day delivery on direct delivery items.
"Should a vital piece of catering equipment fail at such a crucial time, the impact could be devastating at what is already an incredibly difficult time for our services. Our offer is an effort to keep kitchens and catering outlets running, serving staff, visitors and patients at this busy time."
Warewash manufacturer Winterhalter has explained that they are taking the current situation very seriously and, alongside adhering to government advice, are planning to continue delivering uninterrupted service to their customers.
Managing director Stephen Kinkead said: "We have made unprecedented arrangements to ensure our staff are safe but also enable them to continue working either from our premises or from home.
"Our service department will continue to operate as normal between 8am and 5pm. Our engineers have been given instruction on how to safely operate from customer premises. We're also offering reduced planned preventative maintenance ready for when you're back up and running."
