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On Wednesday 24th December, the management of Arc International presented to the works council a takeover proposal and investment plan led by Peaked Hill Partners LLC (“PHP”). This proposal concerns the entire Group and would aim at strengthening the Arques site while preserving productive employment in France. The injection of €60 million would help finance the restructuring of the Group and the modernization of the main production site at Arques, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, while supporting growth. This takeover offer is led by PHP, an American investment structure founded by Tim Gollin, a former associate of One Equity Partners (an investment branch of JP Morgan Chase), as well as Cédric Aymard and Didier Riebel in France, two specialists in business transformation. A solid industrial project Arc International's recovery first requires a transformation of its industrial model. This is designed to sustainably improve the Arques factory's competitiveness. In order to bring this about, PHP's submitted takeover proposal, which is the best such proposal in terms of social concerns the company has received for a year, will, if it is accepted, provide for: - maintaining the Group's expertise and production in Arques, - maintaining staff and production at their current levels, - a full transformation of the mode of production, from a “push” model (driven by production) to a “pull” one (driven by client orders) with smaller production batches and an organization geared towards “lean manufacturing”, - implementation of savings, especially through productivity investments and by reductions in stock, scrap etc. Project based on a fund-raising of €60 million This project will be structured around a fund-raising of €60 million, wholly invested in France, which is aimed at providing Arc International with the resources needed for its new model to be successful. The following will be provided: - significant investments, aimed at upgrading plant and equipment at the Arques site, - financing for social support measures within the context of reorganization projects linked to the transformation of Arc International. Arc International’s creditors, national and local public authorities as well as other debtors have reached an agreement for the restructuring of Arc International's historical debt. This restructuring will significantly improve the financial situation of the company. A responsible social reorganization Arc International’s situation and the scale of the transformation it has to achieve makes some staff reductions inevitable in order to make activities on the Arques site sustainable. Such reductions were already envisaged by the company, prior to the PHP proposal. A new management team Under the terms of this proposal, Tim Gollin, Cédric Aymard and Didier Riebel would take on operational responsibilities to accompany Arc International's transformation alongside key managers of the group and members of the founding family. Timescale PHP's offer still has to be discussed by certain interested parties. Consultative procedures concerning the project will be led in parallel with employee representatives. “By strengthening our Arques site, we are laying the foundations for a stronger company”, stated Xavier Ibled and Timothée Durand, representatives of the founding family and shareholders of Arc International. “It is essential that new investors accept to support our company, in order to ensure its future viability. At this crucial moment in the company's history, they recognize its potential, expertise and the quality of its teams and employees: We are very proud that they have decided to support our company in its future development.” “Arc International is an iconic French company”, commented Tim Gollin. “We strongly believe in the development potential of this company in France and abroad, through the unique know-how of its staff and the production of high-quality functional products with innovative design. Over and above the amount invested in France, with the cooperation of all local and national parties, as well as the financial support of creditors, Arc International will return to a healthy financial situation which will help to construct the building blocks of future growth.” Effective immediately, Service Ideas is the exclusive North American distributor of Magisso brand products, servicing the hospitality, commercial industry, referred to as HORECA. Magisso, pronounced “mag-ee-so,” is a design company based in Helsinki, Finland and noted as an award-winning design brand – design with a difference. Established in 2008 by Juhani Sirén, their defining focus is simple: solving problems with easy to use beautiful designs.
Service Ideas is very excited to partner with such an edgy, cool brand, complimenting our tradition of providing innovative solutions to existing problems. We. Service. Ideas with Magisso from Service Ideas.
To learn more about Magisso and Service Ideas, go here: Service Ideas Followers of TabletopJournal know of our love for cast iron cookware that’s brought to the table to be used as part of the total tabletop. One company that has some incredible cast iron pieces that are just made for being used on the tabletop is Tomlinson. Founded in 1911, Tomlinson Industries probably is best known as the world's leading manufacturer of No-Drip® faucets and fittings for beverage and liquid dispensing and of commercial foodservice equipment. But, make no mistake….Tomlinson has some pretty damn cast iron, as well. And, yes, it’s true that Tomlinson’s commercial foodservice equipment line includes countertop soup kettles for cooking, countertop pizza ovens and merchandisers, dispensers for cups and straws, and even wooden high chairs. And, sure, they’ve got all kinds of kitchen safety products. But, it’s Tomlinson’s line of cast iron skillet and griddle shapes that we like. Tomlinson’s pre-seasoned cast iron sizzling servers turn any hot side or appetizer into something special…and especially appealing. And the excellent heat retention of cast iron also keeps foods warmer longer.
To learn more about Tomlinson and the wide range of cast iron shapes and sizes, go here:
http://www.tomlinsonind.com/Catalog/?Subcategory=Serving%20-%20Subcat%201 We continue to believe in the hospitality industry’s incredible generosity and willingness to help wherever possible and Villeroy & Boch recently reinforced that belief. The company’s UK subsidiary was recently thrilled to be involved in this year’s annual Hilton in the Community Foundation (HCF) Ball, donating £20,000 worth of china for the event. Taking place at the Hilton Hotel Park Lane on Saturday 22nd November, over 700 guests attended the charity ball. The guests sat down to an incredible feast prepared by Anthony Marshall, Executive Chef and catering team at Hilton on Park Lane, which included a Waldorf Salad complete with edible flowers; a delicious duo of lamb; Passion Fruit Soufflé all cooked to perfection; and finished off with mini macaroon pops. All of which was beautifully presented on china from Villeroy & Boch’s CERA collection. “We are thrilled to have supported such a great cause and feel very privileged to have been involved in the Hilton in the Community Foundation Ball.” comments Nick Green, National Sales & Marketing Manager of Villeroy & Boch Hotel & Restaurant. The night was an incredible success, and raised over £400,000 for the work of the Foundation; the highest amount of an HCF event to date. HCF works to improve the lives of children and young people who are sick, homeless or disabled. By investing in improving access to education and the improvement of care, the Foundation seeks to make a big difference to the charities they support across Europe.
Celebrity auctioneer Charles Hanson ran the evening’s auction, with lucky winners going home with incredible prizes, such as a guitar signed by Coldplay and a trip to the brand new Hilton Paris Opera for New Year. All of the prizes were donated by supporters of the Foundation. Simon Sheehan, Director of HCF, said “We are delighted with raising a record amount for our work with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people around Europe. Through the generosity of our guests and our donors and supporters, we are able to continue to make a difference and to create brighter futures. We are incredibly grateful to Villeroy & Boch, whose contribution made the night a success.” For more information on Villeroy & Boch's Hotel and Restaurant Division products, go here: http://pro.villeroy-boch.com/us/us/home/tableware/hotel-restaurant.html Sometimes they’re plastic, sometimes they’re leather. Sometimes they come in a folder, other times they come in a tray. Regardless, they always come after you’ve finished your meal. Check presenters; most restaurants way of presenting you the costs for the evening. They are in most cases the last impression a restaurant offers before a customer leaves. Yet for some reason, it’s a highly over looked moment in the tabletop experience. Which, in a lot of ways, can make or break the overall dining experience. Just ask Celestina Pugliese. “I was out to dinner one evening with a former boyfriend who is a restaurateur.” Pugliese laments. “Towards the end of dinner, the server came over to the table and dropped the check on the table without even being asked. The server then repeatedly walked over to the table at least 4 times and kept asking, ‘Are you ready to pay the check?’ Of course all 4 times the answer was ‘No.’ We both looked at each other and said how we hate it when the server comes over and keeps asking if were ready to pay the check. We will let the waiter know when we are ready to pay the check and go.” It was in that moment that Celestina realized there was an opportunity for innovation. In 2010 Celestina Pugliese started ReadyCheckGlo. A check presenter with an illuminating “window” used to indicate to a waiter when they are ready to pay the check. The inside offers another small light that gives a diner the chance to illuminate the writing area, convenient for a darker atmosphere. What makes Celestina Pugliese’s invention so fascinating is that it sheds light on a whole slew of possibilities. Do check presenters have to come in a black plastic folder or a tray with a pen? Major chains such as Chili’s are implementing touch screen machines at every table to order deserts, read the news, pay-to-play video games, and ultimately pay the bill. Whether or not you agree with encouraging users to play video games isn’t the point so much as is trying to offer diners a unique and interesting experience.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Four Seasons, The Culinary Institute of America, and the Holiday Inn are just a few examples of companies getting hip to ReadyCheckGlo. And in return, Celestina promises faster table-turns, more seating's per shift, results in higher tips, and increases in check averages. ReadyCheckGlo is a safe upgrade from the boring black plastic check presenters of yesterday. It’s different enough to stand out without being too distracting, and serves its purpose with class. At TabletopJournal we’re excited to where Celestina Pugliese takes ReadyCheckGlo to next. We feel as though they’ve started a revolution to an often forgotten moment in the tabletop experience and we can’t wait to see what other innovations will pop up next in this category. To learn more about how to improve the very end of your guests' dining experience with Ready Check Glo, go here: http://www.readycheckglo.com/ -Hamid J. Ali
To learn more about Magisso and all their unique, design-driven products to help differentiate your hospitality tabletop, go here: http://magisso.com/
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Ment'or Inspiring Culinary Excellence Archives
November 2021
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