The CEDA Pedigree

In the late 1960's the role of the distributor was somewhat different to what we see today.

Then, most catering equipment and certainly heavy duty, was in the hands of the large UK manufacturers, who accounted for the majority of planning and installation of new kitchens and a considerable amount of replacement business.

From the users view this was not altogether a satisfactory situation. Supply and servicing problems were common due to a lack of local support; manufacturers were – mostly – a long way from the caterer’s site.

There was a restriction of choice (no manufacturer can claim that every item they produce is the best of its type). Furthermore, as orders were normally placed at long lead times, the incentive to 'follow-up' and provide a high level of customer support was obviously less than that from a supplier making frequent deliveries, as is the case with a local firm.

The need for local distributors was realised and although there were some in existence they were largely overlooked by the manufacturers. A group of farsighted distributors took note of the methods of distribution in the USA where distributors had organised themselves and formed an association.

Plans were put in hand to do the same here, the object being to form a network of companies supplying a full range of equipment, together with good advice, after sales service and local customer care.

In 1971, a meeting of six companies was arranged in Bradford. They were Berry & Warmington of Liverpool, Modern Kitchen Equipment of Liverpool, Mollett of Bradford, Musitano of Truro, Scobie & Mcintosh of Edinburgh and Staines of London.

The resulting association was formed with the prime aims of giving status to the role of the distributor and to encourage the highest levels of professionalism in catering equipment supply. Manufacturers would also benefit from the improved levels of customer support for their products.

CEDA’s first AGM was held in April 1973, with a total of 20 member companies attending. 1974 saw the first of the successful CEDA Annual Conferences, which have become an important event in the industry's calendar.

The activities of the Association have widened and membership has grown to over 80 firms, including Associate and Probationary members.

Click here to read Michael Swerdlow's (former director of Modern Kitchen Equipment of Liverpool) account of the birth of CEDA