From warehouse to boardroom

CESA recognises Steve Loughton for his ‘outstanding contribution to the catering equipment industry’

Mick Shaddock handing Steve Loughton his award at the CESA conference Steve Loughton, managing director of Standex Cooking Solutions Group, was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to the Catering Equipment Industry Award at the CESA Conference, November 2010, by Mick Shaddock, the chair of CESA.

Steve has been active in the catering industry for 37 years, becoming the 35th chair of CESA in 2003, and holding that position for an unprecedented three years. He has chaired the association’s marketing committee, been a director of the CESA limited board and diligently attended its council meetings for over 20 years.

An ardent supporter of international trade, Steve has led initiatives which resulted in the development of the EFCEM as the voice of the European foodservice equipment industry. Under his stewardship, as both vice president and president, he increased its membership and has been involved with high level meetings with MEPs and the European Commission vice president, Gunter Verheugen.

On leaving college in 1973 he started with Garland Catering Equipment working his way from the warehouse to the boardroom. In 1996 he left Garland and joined (FAST) International to look after the EMEA region and then Buttress Ltd.

In 2000 he rejoined Garland Catering and was there throughout its rebranding as Enodis and subsequently Manitowoc Foodservice UK, before moving to Standex earlier this year.

Handing over the award Mick Shaddock commented: “Steve has real business acumen and the ability to think ‘outside the box’. He has shown unstinting support for the industry and for CESA, and is a passionate advocate of the need to integrate our global industry.”

The Catering Equipment Suppliers Association (CESA) represents over 140 companies who supply, service and maintain all types of commercial catering equipment – from utensils to full kitchen schemes. For more information on CESA visit www.cesa.org.uk

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