The interest in participating 
in public events or going out again in general is increasing, which should boost demand for ready-to-cook products. Simone Pipper-Kluth, Managing Director of Frischeteam Geschwister Kluth, can confirm: "Demand has risen exorbitantly. After two years of the pandemic, there are hardly any suitable skilled personnel left in the kitchens, which is why many businesses are relying on our products. Once their doors reopen, businesses cannot afford to fail due to a lack of staff."
In general, however, Pipper-Kluth is seeing more interest in pre-cut or sliced products, which was not necessarily the case in the previous two years. "We've been hit pretty hard. After all, the customers were banned from our industry. Although some have switched to takeaway sales, it is nowhere near as profitable as before," Pipper-Kluth says.
Her company has been able to continue to function for the past two years and has not had to lay off any employees. "We're basically picking up where we left off in 2019, and with the same team."
Dealing with rising prices and costs
"Of course, our products will also become more expensive in light of the rising costs. Finally, in October, there is the increase in the minimum wage. In addition to the increased overhead costs for diesel, electricity, water, etc., Pipper-Kluth also mentioned the extremely high packaging costs.
"Now, when our catering customers have to choose between new staff and ready-to-cook items, it seems to make more sense to go with a professional like us who can provide them with ready-to-cook products seven days a week so they have fixed, predictable sizes. As a catering company, however, you don't know whether someone will be absent again the next day due to illness," says Pipper-Kluth.
Increased demand for all products
The manager can see an increase in demand for salads, fruit and vegetable mixes. Pipper-Kluth says: "Customers seem to crave to be out and about again. We can see the demand for ready-to-cook items increasing day by day." Working from home, however, is still very much a thing, she says. Pipper-Kluth is certain that the canteen business at large companies will not reach the numbers from 2019. However, she says her impression is that sooner or later, canteens in institutions such as universities will return to regular business, since such institutions thrive on personal interaction.
Pipper-Kluth advocates tax cuts to keep fuel costs down. "That would help us a lot. Furthermore, we are also slowly heading toward the summer again, which means we will be able to access more regional products and a large part of the logistics will no longer be necessary. It's also important to us that the lettuce farmers, some of whom are longtime supply partners, receive fair prices."
Plastic vs. sustainable packaging
"Within the winter season, we rely on foreign produce. This means that the produce has to withstand several days of logistics before it reaches us. Along the production chain, I would like to use more sustainable packaging. However, we also have to comply with food regulations, which has clear guidelines," says Pipper-Kluth.
"It also seems like the packaging industry didn't really invest money in new products during the pandemic, let alone develop them. Either they went into some Corona paralysis or they actually lacked the money to develop." There are currently few alternatives for their industry to deliver products safely and refrigerated, she said. "One of the ways we help ourselves with large customers is by putting bags in boxes. If a company orders, say, 10 kg of broccoli florets, we put that in a box and the customer can immediately transfer them to the kitchen, not needing to use the ten 1-kg bags."
Currently, the company sources products from Spain, Italy, France, as well as the Netherlands and Belgium. The main source of supply at the moment is Spain, from which the company receives lettuce and various vegetables such as peppers. "The goods from Spain will cover the demand in the coming weeks," Pipper-Kluth concludes.
For more information:
Simone Pipper-Kluth
Frischeteam Geschwister Kluth KG
Carl-Friedrich-Benz-Str. 3
47877 Willich
Tel: +49 2154-8138900
Fax: +49 2154-8138904
Email: info@obstgemueseliefern.de
Web: www.kuechenfertiges.de