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KITC H E N HOUSE REVE NUE / SPECIAL REPORT
C AT E R I N G INSIGHT / FEBRUARY 2018 / http://www.cateringinsight.comScoMac Catering Equipment looks to be in good health since the
Unitech Group bought it out in 2009. We can see from the financial
results that since 2010 turnover has broadly grown from a starting
point of £10.9m, fluctuating between £15m and £13m in the years
since. While in the 12 months to 31 December 2016 turnover shrank by
about 7% from 2015’s £14.3m to £13.3m, the 2015 total did represent a
5% increase from the previous year in itself.
The firm cited challenging market conditions as impacting the turnover
in 2016. However, it was good news on the operating profit front, as
£581,000 for 2016 was a 27% growth on the 2015 figure of £458,000,
though both are down on the recent historical high of £827,000 in 2013.
In the latest report the firm’s directors stated that margins showed
a slight increase despite the tougher market, and that the firm was in
a sound financial state at year end. It will also be looking to maintain
performance by responding to changes in the market and seeking
out new business opportunities.
Last year saw some management changes following the departure of
former MD Iain Munro to head up Hobart Cooking Solutions. The kitchen
house is now run by Nick Imlah, group MD of parent company, Unitech
Industries, director Steve Shepherd and group financial director Mark Street.
While ScoMac’s head office is now in Livingston, with regional
offices in Leeds and Cambridgeshire, its original parent company,
Scobie & McIntosh was founded in Edinburgh, way back in 1885. The
catering equipment channel began in the 1950s, with commercial
kitchen design following in the 1960s.
Today’s company wants to remain up to date, with the directors
focusing on innovations to ensure its offerings appeal to the current
market, to make sure that sales and profitability are maintained.- ScoMac Catering Equipment
2016 Vital Statistics
Turnover: £13.3m (-7%)
Operating profit: £581,000 (+27%)
Financial year end: 31 December0Turnover (£m)
361291518201314.201010.201413.201514.201613.201115.201213.Operating Profit (£’000)
01503006004507509002013827201035920142592015458201658120115522012185Stephens Catering Equipment’s financial results for the 2016-
period were due to be published just as this issue went to press, but
we felt that it is such a big player that we couldn’t leave it out.
The results we have only go up to 30 April 2016, so do take them
under advisement that they do not show any possible Brexit-related
impact. Nevertheless, taken as a whole, Stephens’ financials show
that it is a very steady performer, with turnover hovering at or around
£13m for most of the last 7 years.
Operating profit has widely varied over that time, but the 2015-
2016 results showed a massive 143% growth to £340,000 from 2014-
2015’s £140,000, so the direction of travel looks to be positive.
Stephens can truly be classed as a UK-wide company, with
branches across Northern Ireland, in Belfast and Broughshane, and in
Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland.
The distributor even has a big presence in Ireland, with offices in
both Maynooth and Donegal.
Originally part of the long established Stephens Suppliers Group,
catering equipment was established as its own division in 1971.
Thomas and Elizabeth Caves took over ownership of this division
in 1977 and renamed the company following its long tradition as
Stephens Catering Equipment.
In 2016 the kitchen house added new showrooms and test kitchens
to its Belfast and Broughshane offices. Plus it invested £250,000 in
new machines in its fabrication plant.
Projects in recent years include a sixth outfit for Google, this
time in its Dublin offices, as well as a scheme for Microsoft in
Dublin, and an induction kitchen for Ramore Restaurants’ Neptune
& Prawn, in Portrush.- Stephens Catering Equipment
2016 Vital Statistics
Turnover: £13.1m (-5%)
Operating profit: £340,000 (+143%)
Financial year end: 30 AprilOperating Profit (£’000)
0601202401803003602013118201021320111402012231201412320151402016340Turnover (£m)
02.510- 5
12.15201313.201013.201112.201213.201411.201513.201613.