Lockhart suppliers hail success of Compass Innovation Day

With over 100 registered guests, the recent Compass Innovation Day organised by Lockhart at the Business Design Centre (BDC) in Islington, has been hailed a great success. The event gave all suppliers who have permanent showrooms within the BDC, the opportunity to present their latest innovations and sustainability credentials to invited senior culinary and brand personnel from the Compass Group. Each visitor was given a guided tour of the showrooms and details on the latest products and innovations from each supplier.

Mark Stait, Sales Manager, National Accounts at Nevilles, who used the event to focus on their new 'Terra Roko' range of durable and vitrified table and beverage ware which comes in a range of unique shapes and colours, as well as the latest products in their 'Acacia' wood buffet selection, enthused that, "The BDC is becoming a hub for HORECA suppliers and businesses and within a few metres, visitors can kit out a whole restaurant. As the recent recipient of the Lockart Light Equipment Award for Sustainability, we have been able to highlight our environmental credentials to Compass representatives, along with our service proposition and high levels of sourcing".

John Goodman, Product and Marketing Director at Arcoroc, who have a full range of tableware for every sector of the industry added, "This event highlights the importance that Lockhart put in their key suppliers. We have had the opportunity to launch products, get feedback on future ranges and discuss the current needs of customers in one action-packed day." Those launches included Exaltation, a new range of Champagne flutes that keep the bubbles flowing for longer and help to optimise the flavour, and the 'So Urban' series of reusable containers that are assisting in the removable of single use plastics within contract catering operations.

"The level of seniority in our showroom in the space of four hours far succeeds what we would normally see within a month" explained Matt Bradley, Senior National Account Manager at Churchill. "The whole event is testament to Lockhart and the importance that they put on the Churchill partnership. Being able to come together at an event like this is invaluable". Churchill also used the event to highlight their sustainability credentials through British manufacturing and their Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra, as well as their net zero warehouse which is served by the 4,500 solar panels they have within their manufacturing facility in Stoke on Trent. The new product focus included 'Tide' and 'Elements', the latter of which features an underglaze print and semi matt glaze which is as durable as glass.

Zara Randolph, National Account Manager at Amefa, who has recently removed more than 50 million polybags from their supply chain by switching to rice paper echoed, "This event shows the commitment that Lockhart has to their suppliers and provides Amefa with the opportunity to physically show customers our wide selection of ranges. It also allows the Amefa team to highlight their expertise and the close relationship we have with Lockhart. Brilliant day!"

Gemma Bowen, National Account Manager at Lockhart was delighted with the commitment of both the suppliers and visitors. "We have a very close relationship with Compass Group and to have over 100 invited guests register for this one-day event is fantastic. We are indebted to our wonderful suppliers for putting on such an interesting range of talks and insights, as well as to Compass Group for allowing such a high level of personnel to attend on the day."