Latest news with #catering
Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) advances fleet modernisation programme with investment in 53 aircraft catering trucks
Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), one of the world's largest catering operations, has inked an agreement with Mallaghan, Al-Futtaim Auto and Machinery Company (FAMCO) and Volvo to purchase 53 aircraft catering trucks, an investment of AED 60 million (USD $16 million), as part of its extensive ground fleet renewal programme, under which EKFC plans to introduce 120 next-generation vehicles over 5 years. In total, 92 aircraft catering trucks will be added to the EKFC fleet within the next 12 months*, with the first vehicles slated for introduction later this new Volvo FL 250 4X2 Euro 6 aircraft catering trucks will feature advanced sensors and monitoring systems to enhance efficiencies on the ground for loading and unloading tasks, in addition to improving overall emissions reductions with the adoption of the latest Euro diesel engine will also closely collaborate with Mallaghan, FAMCO and Volvo Trucks on a Proof-of-Concept electric aircraft catering truck, the first in the catering provider's fleet, and a regional first in sustainable aviation catering equipment. The electrified aircraft catering truck will be optimised for ground catering operations at Dubai International, putting EKFC at the forefront of testing and prototyping the latest technologies and laying the groundwork for emission-free ground catering operations in the coming years with fleet electrification and electric aircraft catering truck is expected to begin operating by the summer of Nawabi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Flight Catering said: 'We are excited to embark on the complete modernisation of our fleet of aircraft catering trucks. This fleet investment is a key part of our broader strategy to implement industry leading initiatives, keep pace with ever-growing demand, and strengthen EKFC's value proposition to our airline customers as a dedicated culinary partner delivering exceptional operational performance at our busy Dubai hub. It also reflects our strong confidence in the long-term growth prospects and continued market leadership of Dubai's aviation also investing in the latest technologies and working closely with Mallaghan and Volvo Trucks to empower a future towards a fully electrified aircraft catering truck fleet, enabling us to reduce our carbon footprint while continuing to deliver top-notch operational performance on the ground. The integration of the first electric aircraft catering truck next summer will mark a milestone for EKFC, reinforcing our commitment to more sustainable operations and pushing the boundaries of innovation.'Ronan Mallaghan, Chief Executive Officer at Mallaghan, commented: 'We are pleased to partner with Emirates Flight Catering in this landmark fleet renewal, delivering its largest ever order of high loaders and introducing the first electric high loader of its kind to the collaboration reflects our shared commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and a more sustainable future for aviation ground support. The inclusion of a Proof-Of-Concept electric unit marks an exciting step toward the broader electrification and modernisation of airport operations across the GCC."Ramez Hamdan, Managing Director Al-Futtaim Industrial Equipment said: 'Securing this milestone agreement with Emirates Flight Catering marks a proud chapter in FAMCO's journey toward a more sustainable future. By partnering to introduce the region's first electric Volvo truck at Dubai Airport, alongside 52 advanced Euro 6 trucks, we are not just enhancing fleet capability, we are delivering on ESG priorities through real-world impact: reducing emissions, promoting responsible logistics, and enabling long-term value. Together, we're setting a new standard for green mobility and operational excellence in the region.'Christine Sandgren, Acting Managing Director, Volvo Trucks Middle East & Turkey said: 'We are proud to be the trusted partner to Emirates Flight Catering as they prepare for the future expansion of operations in DXB and later at Al Maktoum Airport. This agreement is a strong endorsement of Volvo Trucks' commitment to sustainable transport solutions and our core values of quality, safety, and environmental care. Together with our long-standing partner FAMCO, whose dedication and on-ground support have been instrumental, we are driving real progress through innovation in alternative fuels and automation. These are not just technological advancements; they are vital steps toward building a more resilient and environmentally responsible transport ecosystem in the Middle East.'EKFC currently operates a fleet of 300 aircraft catering trucks, one of the largest in the world, ensuring the highest levels of aircraft handling to deliver quality inflight dining experiences for more than 100 airline customers at Dubai International Airport. Emirates Flight Catering is the largest culinary facility of its kind, covering 160,000 sqm with a production capacity of over 250,000 meals per day serving more than 100 airline customers in Dubai, in addition to events catering, food production and lounge catering services.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Inside ‘appalling' £14m space-age tower once home to UK's highest motorway restaurant that's rotted away for 35 years
AN ABANDONED tower which was once home to the UK's highest motorway restaurant continues to rot away decades after its closure. The Forton Services, close to Lancaster, waved in motorists using the 3.5-mile stretch of the M6 for the first time in 1965. 3 3 The eye-catching hexagonal Pennine Tower formed part of the complex, and quickly became the site of a posh restaurant for famished drivers. Diners regularly tucked into grilled rainbow trout, fillet steaks, lobster, and local favourites like Lancashire Hot Pot and potted shrimps. It boasted dramatic views of the nearby Morecambe Bay and was likened to a UFO by some visitors. The Forton Services also came complete with self-service cafeterias, baby changing facilities, and showers for lorry drivers. Noreen Blackburn, a former waitress at the Pennine Tower, shared her experiences working at the now-dormant eatery. She said: "As I was eager to learn, my next job was serving tea and coffee tea was made in a huge teapot and poured as necessary coaches made the place very busy. "The phrase used was the 'tea and pee brigade'. "However, my greatest wish was to be a waitress in the 'tower' and I really pushed the catering manager to consider me. "The uniform was so chic in a shade of mid-green with a pencil slim skirt which had to be just above knee level, a white blouse, a waistcoat with shiny chrome buttons and a Top Rank emblem embroidered on it." The shine quickly wore off, with the restaurant slammed as "an insult to one's taste buds" by prominent food critic Egon Ronay. The Forton Services became better known as a rendez-vous point for truckers and pulled the plug in 1989. Recognising its significance, they awarded the tower Grade II listed status in 2012. Detailing its pedigree, the Historic England website says: "Forton demonstrated a new popularist architecture ideally suited to the democratic new aesthetic of the motorway. "The Pennine Tower Restaurant acting both as a beacon to attract the passing motorists and as a glamorous vantage point from which they were able to enjoy spectacular prospects of the motorway below and more extensively over the miles of surrounding countryside through which they [are] passing." Historic England also selected the Pennine Tower amongst eight pieces of architectural prowess inspired by the 1960s space race, culminating in 1969's lunar landing. It cited Forton services as an example of 'Space-age architecture', cheekily describing it as a "Star Wars ship next to a motorway". Online user Rob590 fondly recalled his visits to the unique building. "[In the '90s] Forton was one of the first buildings I grew to love," he said. "From our end it was the first landmark that you were going somewhere - Preston, Blackpool, Manchester or maybe even further. "It seemed impossibly huge, and to my eyes reinforced that we'd left our rural county for something bigger, modern and better."
Grazia USA
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Grazia USA
Unforgettable Bites: The Lighthouse Just Became Everyone's Go-To Spot For This Reason
Photo: @thelighthouse_ae Instagram There's an undeniable allure that The Lighthouse brings to the city. Between the laid-back charm and bursts of flavour, its title as the go-to is well-deserved – and for good reason. Since its launch in 2017, The Lighthouse has firmly established itself as a pioneer in Mediterranean cuisine, ushering a true breath of fresh air into the region's culinary landscape. With its signature soul, impeccable aesthetic and devotion to bespoke tastes, The Lighthouse's penchant for detail remains unmatched. And now, it's extending the same fervour and finesse beyond the borders of its kitchen. Naturally, The Lighthouse doesn't merely serve exquisite platters of food, with it comes a curated experience, one that lingers even after the last few bites. The Lighthouse's approach is quite simple: to turn every dish, flavour and bite into an unforgettable memory. Whether it's in intimate private gatherings with your closest circle, with colleagues or a major milestone birthday, every element is catered and designed with utmost detail and care. Photo: @thelighthouse_ae Instagram Always staying true to their values, they offer a one-of-a-kind catering and bar service where every menu is tailored according to your refined taste. From artfully plated hot or cold canapés, buffet-style spreads, or sharing platters to perhaps a full-course meal complete with their signature starters and mains ( the grilled ribeye is divine ). With their full service, you can surely expect nothing less than elegantly plated dishes. They even offer live food stations and bespoke beverage menus made by their master mixologists–a standard far beyond. Above all, what truly sets The Lighthouse apart is its speciality in the art of setting the tone, designing the ambience, and curating a fine celebration where every guest feels considered, and every detail is just absolute..
Bloomberg
22-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Checkmate's CEO on Voice AI, Kiosks, Catering: Choppin' It Up
Voice AI at the drive-thru is one or two years away from being ready to be rolled out to hundreds of thousands of locations, Checkmate's CEO and Founder Vishal Agarwal tells Bloomberg Intelligence. In this episode of the Choppin' It Up podcast, Agarwal sits down with BI's senior restaurant and foodservice analyst Michael Halen to discuss the rapid evolution of voice AI technology. He also comments on how kiosks have become a must have, the rapid growth of catering and what problems AI is best suited to solve.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Compass Group profits surge as catering demand holds up
Catering giant Compass Group has reiterated annual forecasts after enjoying a healthy expansion in first-half sales and profits. The world's largest catering provider revealed its organic turnover jumped by 8.5 per cent to $22.6billion in the six months ending March. It credited just over half of this growth to net new business, with the remainder due to pricing and increasing like-for-like volumes. Revenue soared by around $1.3billion to over $14.5billlion in North America thanks to higher demand from business and industry clients, and by 7.5 per cent to $7.1billion across international markets. Client retention rates also remained at above 96 per cent, while Compass registered growth in all sectors, especially sports and leisure. Combined with margins modestly ticking up to 7.2 per cent, the London-based firm's underlying operating profits rose by 11.6 per cent on a constant currency basis to $1.6billion. Compass still anticipates achieving a full-year 'high single-digit' uplift in underlying operating profits, supported by organic revenue increasing by over 7.5 per cent. Dominic Blakemore, chief executive of Compass, said: 'We have a diverse sector portfolio, wide-ranging client base and significant local purchasing scale. 'Although not immune to macroeconomic pressures, we are confident in the resilience of our business model, strength of our value proposition and ability to capitalise on outsourcing opportunities.' Since Covid-related restrictions were gradually loosened, Compass has benefited from the return of live sports events and workers commuting to their offices in far larger numbers. It has also undertaken a sizeable acquisition spree, recently buying French food services business Dupont Restauration and Norwegian company 4Service for a combined $800million. These deals followed the takeovers last year of Hoffmann in Germany and CH&CO, whose clients include Kew Gardens and Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that manages Hampton Court Palace and the Tower of London. March Crouch, market analyst at eToro said: 'While rising labour costs, tariffs, currency swings, and tightening household budgets pose problems, Compass has so far navigated these with relative ease. 'The question now is whether Compass can sustain this pace. Growth has been so strong that even the most bullish forecasts are being exceeded. And with growth already priced in, the bar for further upside is getting higher.' Mamta Valechha, consumer discretionary analyst at Quilter Cheviot, added: 'While the economic backdrop is perhaps not the most favourable right now, Compass' services remain in demand as businesses look to reduce their own overheads. 'As such, it has quite a resilient business model, which is both flexible and has significant scale. 'Its supply chains are predominantly local, and the group remains well placed to benefit from any increase in outsourcing due to macro pressures.' Compass Group shares were 0.15 per cent lower at £26.02 on late Wednesday morning, but have nonetheless risen by around 12 per cent over the past year.
