Kitchenware Team

Editor

MAIREAD WILMOT mairead@lemapublishing.co.uk

Publisher

PAUL YEOMANS pyeomans@lemapublishing.co.uk

Managing Director

MARK NAISH mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Chairman

MALCOLM NAISH malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

Production Director

PAUL NAISH paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

Cover story – GEFU 20

Retail – ProCook

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Interview – Bergner 38 26 28 12

Interview – Pastalinda

Welcome to the first Kitchenware International of 2023. As expected, there is lots happening in the industry, particularly with the return of leading trade fair Ambiente. In fact, we have not one but four trade fair previews in this issue – a return to pre-Covid days indeed!

Our cover star this month is GEFU – who are about to celebrate 80 years in business – and if you turn to page 12 you’ll read an interview with owner Rudolf Schillheim about the company’s illustrious history as industry innovators. Another great businessman is Aaron Thuo who established Kenyan retail outfit Vituzote in 2014. Since then, it has grown both in size and stature. Not just a retailer, Vituzote also distributes to the Kenyan market and is also breaking into the HoReCa sector. You’ll find our interview with Aaron on page 20. We also managed to catch up with ProCook’s Daniel O’Neill who talks to us about market growth and the benefits of direct- to-consumer for their business model.

Meanwhile, there is lots of lovely new cookware launching so we take a look at just a few options for retailers on page 26. You’ll also find news from Allinox who tell us about an exciting development – recycled stainless steel, anyone? Turn to page 24 to learn more about the innovation.

And with The Inspired Home Show taking place in March, we catch up with exhibitor Pastalinda who tell us all about their fantastic – and colourful – line-up on page 30. Finally, on page 44, Harry Kyriacou, CCO and managing director consumer goods, Strix Group, gives us some insight into how their entry into the UK market has gone.