Column G&G
Where is
the stock? G&G created a service for chef Sean Rankin at Grantley Hall using suppliers such as Studio Mattes, Hering Berlin, Zalto glassware and Legacy Silverware
Valda Goodfellow is concerned – some stock is taking too long to reach the end user and it’s giving her a headache. Here, she discusses an issue which many manufacturers may not know is an issue…
About G & G
Founded by Paul and Valda Goodfellow, G & G Goodfellows is a highly creative design & Distribution Company with an amazing showroom in Little Portland Street. Offering a truly hands-on service, Goodfellows passion is to bring new and exciting, bespoke food presentation concepts to the UK’s culinary scene. As well as offering a wide variety of the world’s best branded tableware, kitchen equipment, clothing and machines, Goodfellows also collaborates closely with UK craft producers for totally unique products. It works with all sizes of restaurant and catering projects, happy to supply anything from an individual plate to a full restaurant concept.
A
fter a blistering summer I, for one, am looking forward to the first morning chill heralding a changing of the season. Yes, summer is great with its balmy, lazy days by the beach but it isn’t exactly the most exciting time for innovation! With most manufacturers on holiday and availability of stock drastically reduced, it is difficult for those trying to keep end customers happy, especially in a year when global supply chain issues have dominated the market. So, a return to ‘normal’ is very welcome and much needed. We were fortunate to have planned our higher stock intake to cover summer shutdowns; but even then, it hasn’t been easy. I totally accept that essential maintenance has to be carried out and production staff need a break, but customers don’t
26 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL: HoReCa
always accept that it has to take what seems like all summer. I worry that some manufacturers are now used to quoting three months lead time and we are in danger of it becoming a new standard – but perhaps they
given summer is incredibly busy for hospitality, it certainly presents us with more problems than it does retailers. It sounds like I am having a moan, but the reality of any fast-moving market is that
“I worry that some manufacturers are now used to quoting three months lead time” do not realise what this does to the credibility of their brand or customer loyalty? Maybe this has worked in the past for manufacturers more geared to serving the retail market but
it will wait for no one. End users will simply walk away, especially with the plethora of new projects occurring now, meaning they simply can’t wait and will forsake their preferred
Did you know?
G&G are seeing an influx of new operators into London who have existing successful concepts outside of the UK, but there are also new projects from great UK operators too.