Key Note estimates that the UK market for catering equipment was worth around £609m at manufacturers' selling prices (msp) in 2004, which was 3.9% up on the 2003 value. Sales remained sluggish in the first half of 2004 but were stronger in several sectors during the second half of the year.
The buyers of catering equipment are varied and include pubs, hotels, restaurants, fast-food and takeaway outlets, contract caterers/foodservice management companies, supermarkets, petrol forecourt outlets, leisure venues and a host of new and other non-traditional retail outlets.
The market, as defined in this report, covers five main areas: cooking equipment, food-handling equipment, food-preparation equipment, refrigeration equipment and `other' catering equipment. This equipment is used to store, prepare, cook, display and serve food and to wash food, utensils and crockery. The best-performing sectors in 2004 were cooking equipment and refrigeration equipment.
Among the factors affecting the industry in 2004 were sharp increases in the cost of raw materials, especially steel. Although this has pushed up the costs of production, the highly competitive nature of the market makes it difficult to pass these increases on by raising prices. Some sectors of the industry have also been affected by the rationalisation or restructuring strategies of important buyers, which have caused new investments in catering equipment to be shelved or postponed. Any delay in the signing of new contracts can have a major impact on the financial performance of some manufacturers.
Catering equipment that saves energy as well as being efficient was much in demand in 2004, as was equipment that produces the healthier food options now demanded by many consumers. Other popular lines included compact cooking equipment that serves the needs of smaller catering outlets, coffee machines, chiller compartments and other beverage-making systems that meet the needs of the growing number of coffee shops and sandwich shops on the high street. The increased use of preprepared meals and snacks has helped sales of microwave ovens.
Sales of catering equipment are forecast to rise again in 2005 and demonstrate further slow but steady growth to 2009. New product launches that meet caterers' and consumers' requirements for healthier food cooking are expected to boost sales, as is growth in the catering and hospitality market.
For more information, Please visit :http://www.bharatbook.com/
or email us at : info@bharatbook.com
You can also call us at +91-(022)-2757 8668 or +91-(022)-2757 9131
For searching our huge collection of reports, Please visit :
http://www.bharatbook.com/
