Fork in the road for Shropshire catering firm
An equipment supplier for the food industry has launched a new partnership with a fellow county firm in a bid to shift the focus of the business.
Telford company Catering Centre UK has handed over its hire operation to Tipples Mobile Bars and Catering Hire in Shrewsbury.
The move will see Stafford Park-based Catering Centre focus more on sales, and the company now plans to invest in that side of its business to keep up with demand for its services.
Its focus in recent years has been on sales, supported by the investment of over £30,000 on a website to ensure demands for catering supplies can be fulfilled online.
"Catering equipment supply in the hospitality industry is very competitive," said managing director Richard Mr Davies.
"It is crucial to keep ahead of your competitors, and continue to supply your customers with exactly what they need, when they need it, for a very competitive price.
"We took the decision last year to invest heavily on line, with a new website, which now displays over 20,000 sales products."
He added: "Many of our larger clients are moving more towards purchasing the equipment they need, rather than hiring it – thus achieving the exact product they require, and long-term saving money.
"We have teamed up with Shrewsbury-based Tipples who are also a very well respected supplier across the region and were looking at expanding their hire services and range alongside their bar supply, so the strategic partnership seemed like a logical step.
"We have transferred all hire equipment and referring hire orders to Tipples, and they have maintained our service standards to help ensure our long-term loyal customers continue to receive consistency of supply."
Tim Aversa, who established Tipples in 2007, added:
"The hire business perfectly complemented our business model and expansion plans and enabled Richard to focus on sales. The growth of both businesses has been very reassuring."
