ARAMARK Opens Up to Scotland's Food and Drink Suppliers

One of the world’s largest catering companies, ARAMARK, played host to food manufacturers from across Scotland at a Scottish Food and Drink Federation Suppliers' Forum on Tuesday.

Companies that supply everything from haggis to smoked game, vegetable crisps and salt substitutes, attended the event which gave them the opportunity to meet face-to-face with major catering company, ARAMARK who provide tailor-made food service and refreshment solutions, including business dining, employee restaurants, retail facilities and coffee outlets throughout the country.

The event was held at one of ARAMARK’S key client sites, AEGON UK, in Edinburgh on 7th June and attendees met operational and support teams from ARAMARK and found out more about the contract catering sector. With candid presentations covering the overall market, food development, distribution channels and what ARAMARK looks for from its suppliers, the ARAMARK team also covered topical issues such as environmental stewardship, employee advocacy and community involvement.

Keith Butlin, Account Director for AEGON UK said: “We are delighted to be able to do our bit for the Scottish food community in helping them understand our values and our markets, and will support them in collaboratively improving our service offers for the benefit of our clients and their employees and visitors”.

Flora McLean, Director of the Scottish Food and Drink Federation said:

“Food service is a key market for manufacturers. Unlike grocery retailers that are open to us all to research, it is more difficult for suppliers to understand the needs of foodservice operators. This is particularly true of companies such as ARAMARK who operate within ‘hidden’ markets such as business and industry, education, health, offshore and defence. 

“We are delighted to be able to offer manufacturers the opportunity to find out more about one of the world’s most respected catering companies at our Suppliers’ Forum events.  ARAMARK offers excellent commercial opportunities for supplier companies and, by facilitating this meeting, we are confident that the companies involved will be better placed to take advantage of opportunities on this sector”.

This buyer briefing is part of the Scottish Food and Drink Federation’s highly respected Suppliers’ Forum programme of events which are free to attend for members of SFDF. Food businesses who have attended previous Suppliers’ Forum events were able to network, meet buyers and secure future contracts. Fife based business, Innovate Foods3, specialising in food service, are just one of the companies who benefitted from attending the events.

Tony Dumbreck, Managing Director of Innovate Foods said: “Last year, we attended a SFDF Suppliers’ Forum event hosted by 3663 which has been great for our business. We were delighted to be selected by them for a Regional listing across a range of six lines.  Working with their sales team we have grown the business through presentation to targeted customers which has led to menu listings, and we have extended the geographical footprint up to Inverness and down to Gateshead so far”.