Viewpoints
From the cost of raw materials to logistics, we talk to several industry leaders to find out what is making the hospitality sector tick
Question time...
HoReCa: Have you faced any new challenges in 2022?
Narumi: There are still a lot of uncertainties with pandemic and global security issues. We are always Narumi: As the world enters into the post-COVID-19 era, we are seeing a surge on alert and ready to respond to any sudden changes. in demand for operating equipment, Zwisel: As mentioned before which is also causing confusion in we still face global supply chain logistics. As a tableware manufacturer, challenges in terms of a very positive shorter lead time for development and production is critical in order to meet the development of business in the needs of the rapidly recovering industry. sense of increasing global demand for high quality glassware on the one We are also faced with the increased hand, and capacity constraints on cost of raw materials and fuels and we are drastically reviewing our production the supplier side, hence increasing prices and delivery delays in terms process to minimise the impact. of important raw material on the Zwiesel: While the Covid pandemic other hand. Increasing demand and has certainly been responsible for huge simultaneously disproportionately global supply chain restrictions and cost increases over the last two years, especially increasing prices at the energy and
sknife: Our knives are manufactured entirely by hand in the sknife knife manufactory in Biel. The wooden grips are assembled manually and seamless glued. The knife and the wooden grips are pre-grinded at the same time and in several additional steps put into the final form from a professional cutler. The challenge we have is now to find well-developed and skilled collaborators performing these complex tasks.
HoReCa: Are supply/demand issues still causing concern?
service industry. Lockdown and social distancing has also highlighted
Utopia: The issues around supply have been well documented, and further Covid restrictions in the Far East are exacerbating the issue. However, it’s less of a concern now that we have been able to overcome the problem by adapting our stock in terms of rising market prices for raw planning and materials and energy, these challenges “We are drastically reviewing diversifying our are now even increasing due to the supply chain our production process to Ukraine/Russia crisis. Being dependant on geographically. minimise the impact” a high energy consumption in our glass With strong Toshinari Fukui, Narumi Corporation manufacturing process in Germany, the supplier unprecedented cost increases in the raw partnerships and effective stock raw material markets can only be materials and energy markets are currently levels we have been able to meet the covered by price increases on our side affecting our basic operations and will robust demand we have seen in our adapted to the market conditions. In continue to do so. markets. terms of the increasing demand for Utopia: The main challenge has been HoReCa: What permanent high-quality glassware we still ensure a supply chain shortages and delays, positive delivery capacity due to utmost changes have been made in but these are global issues affecting the sector as a result of the flexibility at our German / European the whole market. We’ve managed to Covid outbreak? production sites especially for core circumvent the problem by setting up assortments. However, due to the Narumi: As people have become agreements with new manufacturers, aforementioned uncertainties regarding more concerned about health closer to home, giving us stability in our global supply chains we raise our and hygiene, safety and cleanness sources of supply. customers awareness for longer delivery has become the norm in the food times and potential delivery delays for certain collections and additive services.
Meet the panellists
Toshinari Fukui president and CEO, Narumi Corporation
Michael Eichinger head of marketing, product and communications, Zwiesel Glas
22 TABLEWARE INTERNATIONAL: HoReCa
Michael Bach
Josh Rammell
CEO, sknife
marketing manager, Utopia Tableware
the importance of physically being together. The pandemic made us learn to do many things online but dining with your loved ones is something that cannot be replaced by digital efficiency. We will continue to be a leading tableware company that provides the joy and happiness of eating together. Zwiesel: Two years characterised by travel restrictions and the cancellation of big and important live events and fairs forced not only us, but the whole sector, to come up with alternatives and solutions. Based on this, the sector has responded with a wide variety of adaptations and innovations. Many events were moved to the online area, hence completely new digital event formats with new communication and presentation opportunities emerged. In addition, many online concepts like delivery services were launched in order to continue to reach customers and stay in contact with them. We ourselves together with our agency have launched a website where people can find restaurants in their surrounding to help our partners in the hotel and gastronomy sector. We furthermore launched a completely new digital 360° factory tour, that enables (potential) customers to make a deep dive into our production site in Germany in order to give them an even better understanding of our production methods and the people who are behind our high-quality hand and machine-made glasses. sknife: A small company focuses on better collaboration with direct contacts, participating in fewer trade fairs and organising more on-site visits to the manufactory. All this results in a better product and sknife is much more successful thanks to this focus. Utopia: One change has been an even bigger emphasis on hygiene awareness and the need to protect customers. That’s why we developed our Serve and Protect range during Covid restrictions. In terms of serving food and drinks, the range takes existing products and adapts them for the Covid-19 world. It includes tongs, wrapped paper straws, lidded cocktail glasses and lidded serving dishes. All are solutions designed to offer additional safety in a stylish fashion.
