NAS Airport Services Limited

M&D Construction

CATERING TO KENYA

With COVID-19 in the rear-view, NAS Airport Services Limited is answering the need for rising catering services across Kenya and expanding its business lines for the future. Stephane Lopez, General Manager of the company, tells us more

Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Kyle Livingstone

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly pushed companies to re-assess their plans and priorities moving ahead through the decade.

In the realm of airline catering, this period has really proved to be a make-or-break moment, with a substantial level of adaptation required to deal with a global pause in travel and the resulting disruption caused to travel-based services.

“For everyone across every industry, the impact of COVID-19 in the last two years has been like exploring the unknown and has remained unprecedented until quite recently,” begins Stephane Lopez, General Manager at NAS Airport Services Limited, an inflight catering company based in Nairobi, Kenya. “We have weathered the storm whilst ensuring our mandate to protect our customers, team members, our shareholders and our company.

“This has been our focus over the period, and all the while we have shifted our mindset and business by diversifying our business lines.”

In light of this need to diversify, NAS has entered the retail sector, as well as developing it’s laundry business and laboratory division and forming partnerships with new customers.

For Lopez, this diversification is one of three key elements of the company that have kept NAS in the air during this trying time.

“I believe that we are still operational in the sector due to expanding into these fields, the long-term and new customers’ relationships that we have had and developed during this time, but most of all, our dedicated staff,” he continues. “Our team members are our biggest asset and they have been the key to everything that we have accomplished throughout this challenging time.

“The sacrifices that we have all made have helped us pull through, and it has not only showed the level of passion that they hold, but also their incredible team spirit.”

The Kenyan economy, and Africa in general, is very resilient. Despite the challenges faced and the unquestionable negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this resilience has carried Kenya and the wider continent forward through the past two years.

“When you fly out of Nairobi (Kenya), at the entrance to the airports there are large adverts from the tourism board that say: ‘If you have something to take home, it’s our resilient spirit’, and it really is true,” Lopez muses.

73 YEARS IN OPERATION

NAS has a long and proud history of service, having been established in 1949. The company is an on-site airport catering facility serving domestic and international airlines that fly in and out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Moi International Airport (MIA)

in Mombasa and Kisumu International Airport (KIS) in Kisumu.

“NAS is a 73-year-old Kenyan company owned by Servair, a Gategroup member, and we carry a very strong and supportive relationship with our people and shareholders,” Lopez tells us proudly. “NAS is built on consistent growth and bold innovation that dates back to its formation as a company, pre-dating the establishment of JKIA and has the unparalleled advantage of growing with the airport.”

From humble beginnings operating out of a wooden shack, today NAS boasts state-of-the-art world-class brands, reputable fully integrated inflight catering services, laundry solutions, airport bars and lounges, laboratory and ship chandelling services and a fully-fledged corporate catering brand – NAS Cuisine.

“We are primarily based in Nairobi, and we have around 950 staff across the whole company,” Lopez continues. “Our core business is in the area of in-flight catering, though we also operate many other diverse business lines such as corporate catering, and in Mombasa, a shipping line catering segment.

“We also have our laboratory which is very important to the company for multiple reasons. Firstly, it allows us to control our food safety processes, but it also allows us to work with our suppliers and other businesses such as hotels that require our services. Our retail sector business has evolved and we are supplying some supermarkets, and as such they have made use of our laboratory for such

NAS – SERVICES AT A GLANCE

NAS PRISTINE

NAS Pristine offers outstanding laundry services both to airlines at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa, and to private customers with its collection point located in a shopping mall.

NAS CUISINE

NAS prides itself in providing hygienic and safe on-site catering services for corporates. This service is available in and around the cities of Nairobi and Mombasa.

NAS LAB

At NAS, food safety, quality and customer satisfaction are key priorities. Microbiological testing provides a crucial quality check on consumer products to determine whether they meet the desired specifications for raw materials, intermediate and finished products. It also enables process verification and confirmation of adherence to regulatory guidelines.

NAS SERVAIR

Inflight services are the core of NAS’ airline business and is mainly tasked with delivery of a high standard inflight experience to its esteemed customers on board.

TANAFO AND BEI POA KITCHEN

Tanafo is a ready-to-eat meal brand coined from the words TAMU NAS FOODS, offering meats such as lamb chops, chicken wings, and beef ribs among many others. Bei Poa Kitchen products evolved from the company’s Tanafo concept, during the pandemic. This concept has enabled it to respond to its customers’ new needs within JKIA.

PASSENGER COMFORT SERVICES

A variety of cafes, restaurants and facilities at JKIA, Moi and Kisumu Airports.

NAS NATURE HOUSE

This is NAS’ very lastest “homemade” development with the implementation of its own green house enabling the company to produce fresh herbs and vegetables with two main goals which are first providing the best fresh products to its customers and second engaging one step further into the company’s sustainability move.

P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 FAX: 020-3884540 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke ZUCCHINI/BABY MARROW ZUCCHINI STICKS ZUCCHINI SLICES SWEET POTATO SLICES & DICES ARROW ROOT GINGER PEELED GARLIC PEELED LOCAL CUCUMBER ELDOVILLE DAIRIES LTD FRESH READY TO EAT AND DRINK FRUITS ORANGES WATERMELON SWEET MELON ELDOVILLE DAIRIES P.O BOX 24390-00502 PINEAPPLE P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 LTD NAIROBI, KENYA FAX: 020-3884540 TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke ZUCCHINI/BABY MARROW FAX: 020-3884540 ZUCCHINI STICKS ZUCCHINI SLICES SWEET POTATO SLICES & DICES EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke ZUCCHINI/BABY MARROW ZUCCHINI STICKS ZUCCHINI SLICES SWEET POTATO SLICES & DICES MANGO DICES/SLICES STRAWBERRIES ARROW ROOT GRAPES APPLES GINGER PEELED GARLIC PEELED LOCAL CUCUMBER ARROW ROOT GINGER PEELED GARLIC PEELED LOCAL CUCUMBER FRESH READY TO EAT AND DRINK FRUITS PASSION JUICE MANGO JUICE ORANGE JUICE PINEAPPLE JUICE TROPICAL FRUITS JUICEORANGES WATERMELON SWEET MELONFRESH READY TO EAT AND DRINK FRUITS ORANGES WATERMELON SWEET MELON PINEAPPLE PINEAPPLE

We are situated in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya MANGO DICES/SLICES STRAWBERRIES GRAPES and Oljororok,Nyandarua, Kenya APPLES

MANGO DICES/SLICES STRAWBERRIES GRAPES APPLES

ELDOVILLE DAIRIES LTD P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 FAX: 020-3884540 CHEESE PRODUCTS EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke ELDOVILLE DAIRIES LTD ELDOVILLE DAIRIES P.O BOX 24390-00502 LTD CAMEMBERT CHEESE BRIE CHEESE P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 FAX: 020-3884540 CHEESEPANEER CHEESE PRODUCTS ELDOVILLE DAIRIES LTD FAX: 020-3884540 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke CHEESE PRODUCTS CAMEMBERT CHEESE BRIE CHEESE EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke CHEESE PRODUCTS CAMEMBERT CHEESE BRIE CHEESE ELDOVILLE DAIRIES LTD P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 FAX: 020-3884540 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke CHEESE PRODUCTS ELDOVILLE DAIRIES LTD P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 FAX: 020-3884540 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke MOZZARELLA BLOCK/GRATED CAMEMBERT CHEESE CAMEMBERT CHEESE BRIE CHEESE P.O BOX 24390-00502 BRIE CHEESE NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096PANEER CHEESE MOZZARELLA BLOCK/GRATED PANEER CHEESE FAX: 020-3884540MOZZARELLA BLOCK/GRATED EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke ZUCCHINI/BABY MARROW ZUCCHINI STICKS ZUCCHINI SLICES SWEET POTATO SLICES & DICES ELDOVILLE DAIRIES LTD P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA

Our Products MILD CHEDDAR BLOCK/GRATED MILD CHEDDAR SLICES MILD CHEDDAR BLOCK/GRATED PANEER CHEESE MOZZARELLA BLOCK/GRATED TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 FAX: 020-3884540 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke CHEESE PRODUCTS CAMEMBERT CHEESE BRIE CHEESE PANEER CHEESE MOZZARELLA BLOCK/GRATEDMILD CHEDDAR BLOCK/GRATED MILD CHEDDAR SLICES MILD CHEDDAR SLICES

ARROW ROOT GINGER PEELED GARLIC PEELED LOCAL CUCUMBER

CHEDDAR CHEESE 20G PORTION MILD CHEDDAR BLOCK/GRATED MILD CHEDDAR BLOCK/GRATED MILD CHEDDAR SLICESGREEK FETA CHEESE CREAM CHEESE MILD CHEDDAR SLICES PANEER CHEESE CHEDDAR CHEESE 20G PORTIONMOZZARELLA BLOCK/GRATEDGREEK FETA CHEESE CREAM CHEESECHEDDAR CHEESE 20G PORTION GREEK FETA CHEESE FRESH READY TO EAT AND DRINK FRUITS ORANGES WATERMELON SWEET MELON PINEAPPLE MILD CHEDDAR BLOCK/GRATED CHEDDAR CHEESE 20G PORTION CHEDDAR CHEESE 20G PORTIONMILD CHEDDAR SLICESGREEK FETA CHEESE GREEK FETA CHEESE CREAM CHEESE CREAM CHEESE MANGO DICES/SLICES STRAWBERRIES GRAPES CHEDDAR CHEESE 20G PORTION GREEK FETA CHEESE CREAM CHEESE PASSION JUICE MANGO JUICE ORANGE JUICE PINEAPPLE JUICE TROPICAL FRUITS JUICE

ELDOVILLE DAIRIES LTD ELDOVILLE DAIRIES LTD P.O BOX 24390-00502 P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 FAX: 020-3884540 FAX: 020-3884540 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke FRESH READY TO COOK VEGETABLES FRESH READY TO COOK VEGETABLES ONIONS DICED ONIONS SLICED ONIONS JULIENNE PEELED ONIONS ONIONS DICED ELDOVILLEONIONS SLICED DAIRIES ONIONS LTD JULIENNE PEELED ONIONS P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 FAX: 020-3884540 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke FRESH READY TO COOK VEGETABLES GRATED CARROTS CARROT: SLICES, DICES, STICKS LETTUCE FRENCH BEANS ONIONS DICED GRATED CARROTS ONIONS SLICED ONIONS CARROT: SLICES, DICES, STICKS JULIENNE PEELED ONIONS LETTUCE FRENCH BEANS CABBAGE SLICED CHOPPED SPINACH OR KALE TOMATOES CAPSICUM GRATED CARROTS CABBAGE SLICED CARROT: SLICES, DICES, STICKS CHOPPED SPINACH OR KALE LETTUCETOMATOES FRENCH BEANSCAPSICUM

P.O BOX 24390NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706 FAX: 020-3884540 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke ELDOVILLE ELDOVILLE DAIRIES LTDELDOVILLE DAIRIES LTDZUCCHINI/BABY MARROW ZUCCHINI STICKS DAIRIES LTD ZUCCHINI SLICES

services. We are also providing catering services to the P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 FAX: 020-3884540 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 FAX: 020-3884540 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke P.O BOX 24390-00502 NAIROBI, KENYA TEL:020-3883431/0706-521096 FAX: 020-3884540 EMAIL: customercare@eldoville.co.ke / farm@eldoville.co.ke SGR, the main trainline between Nairobi and Mombasa!” FRESH READY TO COOK VEGETABLESFRESH READY TO COOK VEGETABLESFRESH READY TO COOK VEGETABLES

ONIONS DICED ONIONS SLICED ONIONS JULIENNE PEELED ONIONSONIONS DICED ONIONS SLICED ONIONS JULIENNE PEELED ONIONSARROW ROOT GINGER PEELED ONIONS DICED ONIONS SLICED ONIONS JULIENNE PEELED ONIONS OPEN OPPORTUNITIES

Surprisingly for NAS, COVID-19 has not only brought challenges to the fore, but also provided the company with the drive to reach out and expand in many alternative areas GRATED CARROTS GRATED CARROTS CARROT: SLICES, DICES, STICKS LETTUCEGRATED CARROTS CARROT: SLICES, DICES, STICKS LETTUCE CARROT: SLICES, DICES, STICKS LETTUCE FRENCH BEANS FRENCH BEANS of business. This diversification of services has opened FRESH READY TO EAT AND DRINK FRUITS ORANGES WATERMELON SWEET MELON NAS up to a whole new wealth of opportunity, and in light of this, the company is planning to keep growing in such a way.

“Our plan is to continue to grow our equipment capacity CABBAGE SLICED CABBAGE SLICED CHOPPED SPINACH OR KALE TOMATOESCABBAGE SLICED CHOPPED SPINACH OR KALE TOMATOES CHOPPED SPINACH OR KALE TOMATOES CAPSICUM CAPSICUM as much as we can. As with many companies following the COVID-19 period of uncertainty, investing in our production MANGO DICES/SLICES STRAWBERRIES tools – especially in our culinary capacity – is particularly important,” Lopez says. “NAS is an old company, but we have a start-up spirit – we have a young mindset. POTATOES: FRENCH FRIESPOTATOES: FRENCH FRIES POTATO POTATOES: FRENCH FRIES POTATO SLICES POTATO SLICES JACKET POTATOESSLICES JACKET POTATOES POTATO JACKET POTATOES POTATO DICES/CUBES

“Our investments do not fall on a singular aspect of the business, but instead we are investing in our businesses PASSION JUICE MANGO JUICE ORANGE JUICE PINEAPPLE JUICE TROPICAL FRUITS JUICE overall and streamlining our activities throughout our many business lines with new machinery and POTATOES TURNED & CHIPS PUMPKIN DICESPOTATOES TURNED & CHIPS PUMPKIN DICESPOTATOES TURNED & CHIPS PUMPKIN DICES PUMPKIN BALLS PUMPKIN BALLSPUMPKIN BALLS BEETROOT DICED BEETROOT DICED equipment combined with digitisation and sustainability engagements across all our processes with the overall aim to grow our production and operations.”

Managing Director (Lucy Karuga): 0723 27 96 27 | Tel: (+254) 020 3883431 POTATOES: FRENCH FRIES POTATOPLANNING FOR THE FUTURE SLICES JACKET POTATOES POTATO DICES/CUBES sales@eldoville.co.ke | www.eldoville.co.keCABBAGE SLICED CHOPPED SPINACH OR KALE TOMATOESPOTATOES: FRENCH FRIES POTATO SLICES JACKET POTATOES CAPSICUM POTATO With this in mind, the future of NAS’ focus rests on the people that the company serves, and those that make it what it is. PASSION JUICE MANGO JUICE PASSION JUICE MANGO JUICE ORANGE JUICE PINEAPPLE JUICE TROPICAL FRUITS JUICEORANGE JUICE PINEAPPLE JUICE TROPICAL FRUITS JUICE

“The first priority is to remain as agile and flexible for our POTATOES TURNED & CHIPS PUMPKIN DICES PUMPKIN BALLS customers as possible, and remain their preferred supplier,” BEETROOT DICED POTATOES: FRENCH FRIESPOTATOES TURNED & CHIPS POTATO SLICES PUMPKIN DICES JACKET POTATOESPUMPKIN BALLS POTATO DICES/CUBES BEETROOT DICED Lopez explains. “Of course, there is always competition that keeps us on our toes and thinking outside the box. But, across our range of business lines, the first and foremost necessity is to stay close to our customers and to respond POTATOES TURNED & CHIPS PUMPKIN DICES PUMPKIN BALLS BEETROOT DICED to their requirements and expectations.

“For NAS in Kenya, it is also critical that we remain an attractive employer in the country and continue to be a people-centric company. That’s key for us and has been since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting challenges.” Within this sphere of planning, NAS aims to continue growing its in-house talent through training its current staff, recognising their personal goals, and bringing aboard new talent for the coming years as well. “We must continue to grow our talent pool because they will be very important for the future of the company,” Lopez says. “This is in line with exploring new business lines and

Stephane Lopez, General Manager opportunities that we can move into, because this adaptability has helped us remain resilient in the past two years, and it provides NAS a greater chance to offer its services to those customers and businesses that need them.

“On top of all this, we must remain on top of our equipment maintenance to ensure that everything keeps operating smoothly and to the best standards possible moving forward.”