Industrial recruitment expert Javelin is set to make its mark in the catering and food service industry in Yorkshire with its acquisition of food service jobs specialist North & South.
Responding to specific growth in the leisure, hotel and catering markets, the Leeds-based company, which currently supplies warehouse, production encompassing industrial grades, cleaning and data administration staff, to manufacturers and distributors across Yorkshire, announced the purchase today for an undisclosed sum, taking its turnover to more than £3.5 million and job assignments to over 400 a week.
Across Yorkshire, Javelin now aims to place more than 3000 people in new jobs this year. Managing Director John Patrick, who has more than 20 years’ experience in industrial recruitment, and established Javelin seven years ago, comments: “Our expansion into catering and food service is a logical next step for Javelin and the acquisition of North & South gives us a direct route into a highly specialised sector. There is huge demand for placements in catering and food service: from chefs and bar managers, to waiters and conference & event staff. We’re delighted to add this specialist area to our existing recruitment consultancy, which has supplied warehouse and logistics staff to manufacturers, distributors and service providers for more than seven years.”
“Market confidence will return this year, but tentatively and in stages,” said John. “There will be shorter term contracts and shorter peaks in seasonal trends. In the catering industry that means a host of opportunities for flexible staffing services, particularly for one-off events and functions. Companies are going to be working harder to retain clients and win new ones, so there will be a greater focus on corporate networking events. We’re predicting growth of at least 10% in the hotel and catering industry in 2010.”
“2010 also sees the World Cup, which always generates a feel-good factor, with groups of friends watching the matches in their local pub and perhaps dining out afterwards, and colleagues staying in town after work and finding somewhere to eat and watch the game. Catering and service staff will be in huge demand.”
“We’re seeing a marked increase in requests from businesses who are looking at growth again after the downturn. They want access to high calibre, experienced employees and a specialist local consultancy they can rely on. We have more than 50 major clients on our books, across a wide variety of industrial and commercial sectors, many of which are long term contract agreements. We have a client retention record I’m really proud of and we’re looking forward to growing our catering and food service client portfolio in the same way.”
Javelin Recruitment will now be branded Javelin Supply Chain for its industrial recruitment consultancy and Javelin North & South for its catering, events and hospitality staffing service-specific client work.
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