45 years successful Catering Field Service on the roads of Scotland
This article features a catering equipment installation and repair company, Catering Supplies & Repairs Co. Ltd (CSR), founded by Hugh Pinkerton in 1978, and now run by his son Allan. CSR have been providing field service on the roads of Scotland for over 45 years. Their engineers have installed, maintained, and repaired commercial catering equipment to ensure that people can eat and drink when away from home. In this article, we hear from three of their current engineers.
Catering equipment – Field service on the roads of Scotland
In this article we hear from three of CSR’s field service engineers: Ross Menzies, Stuart McConville and Connor Stowe.
Ross Menzies, Field Service on the roads of Scotland
Why did you make the decision to transition to a catering field service engineer?
Unfortunately, I was made redundant at my previous job and because my current skills were niche, I would have struggled to stay in that field. I therefore decided to apply for jobs out of the market and came across a catering equipment service engineer role within CSR.
What skills did you take with you?
I previously had pipework, gas tickets, and fault-finding experience. These were perfect for the new role I had applied for.
Acquiring new skills
How quickly did you learn the new skills needed?
I was in a fortunate position, that the trainers that taught me everything were experienced engineers at CSR. We are never perfect and everyone at CSR is continuously learning. However, I would say after 6 months I was a fully competent engineer.
Customer relationships
What are the techniques you use to establish a relationship with a new customer?
I am good with people, which really helps while on site. From my years of experience, I have built up great relationships with my customers. I am also helpful, and any technical issues I have on site I explain fully to customers, so they understand what the issue is.
How does it benefit you personally to work for a company where people stay and progress internally?
I require flexibility due to my wife working shifts as well as having two small children. CSR gives me that flexibility and allows my days to start later if I need to take the kids to school etc.
Easiest job
What is the easiest job you have ever been sent to? (and the most difficult?)
The easiest job I have been sent to has got to be attending a site where the oven was not working. When I attended, I quickly noticed that the socket was the issue therefore an electrician was required. (That was a quick call!!).
Technology used for field service on the roads
How is technology changing your work as a field service engineer?
As the years go on the equipment is evolving with technology and software. This makes it particularly difficult, in diagnosing certain units as the software is becoming too smart for the units. We continually get training to keep each engineer up to speed with this, but we do come across units where the diagnosing is very difficult with no technical help in the UK.
Stuart McConville, Field Service on the roads of Scotland
How long have you been a catering field service engineer?
I have been a refrigeration engineer coming up 16 years and been doing catering for 6 probably.
Positives of the role
Why have you stayed/what do you enjoy about the role?
I have stayed here because it’s a tight knit compact company unlike my old corporate company. So, you’re valued more. I like the environment we work in day to day which really varies from schools to hotels.
Typical week
What was your typical week like when you started?
When I started here my week was set out to do the job assigned on a sheet of paper.
What is your typical week like now?
Now everything is loaded online so covering more jobs in the same area to be more productive. We use Red Zebra Software to track all the jobs.
Technology
How much has technology made your job better?
Without my phone I would be useless
What is worse now than when you started?
The main thing that’s worse from when I started is that units are becoming too smart and complicated. Things were more mechanical and now almost everything has a PCB. That makes testing a lot more difficult.
Positives of a career in field service on the roads of Scotland
Why would you recommend a career as a catering engineer to someone?
I would recommend the career of a catering engineer because of the fact of where it takes you day to day. Scotland is a great place to drive around. The clients we cover are also good. However, for me the main thing in this field compared to my old company is work life balance. We have a variety of engineers here who have kids at all different ages and the company offers flexibility to them all. The money is great and if you’re willing to get up and beat the traffic you reap the rewards come pay day.
Connor Stowe, Field Service on the roads of Scotland
How did you find out about an apprenticeship to become a catering engineer?
I found out about my apprenticeship on Facebook as they had posted an advertisement looking for apprentices.
Choice of apprenticeship
Why did it attract you?
The idea of an apprenticeship is something I had thought about and always wanted to do after leaving school. The objective of learning a trade and getting a qualification for it as well was something I always wanted to do.
Typical week
What does your typical week involve?
A typical week involves a lot off driving all around Scotland and seeing lots of new places. It also includes a mixture of installs, repairs and services.
What is the most difficult job you have ever been on?
The most difficult job I have been on so far is a big install. An install is where we install all the new equipment from the start. So, there is always something to work on. Whether that’s lifting units or tables or even wiring units, or plumbing sinks – there is always something to do.
Favourite piece of equipment
Which is your favourite piece of equipment to service and why?
My favourite piece of equipment to service would have to be dishwashers as they are good for understanding how the whole unit operates. While inspecting the unit it’s good to have a visual look at all the components which then gives you a good understanding of the unit. Then when testing the unit, if all is OK, you understand the patterns the unit uses when filling and heating. This then gives a good understanding if there is ever an issue with the unit.
A career in catering equipment field service
Why would you recommend this career?
Why I would recommend this career is because every day is different. As well, you get to travel all around the country seeing some wonderful places and working in some big companies meeting wonderful people. It gives the opportunity to learn all sorts of different types of trade whether that’s gas, electrics and maybe some basics of plumbing. It’s a good opportunity for a career for life which is enjoyable day in day out.
About Catering Supplies & Repairs Co. Ltd
Joanne Hamilton and Lynn Stewart manage the day to day running of Catering Supplies & Repairs Co. Ltd (CSR) as Company Manager and General Manager. The company service commercial catering equipment and cover the whole of Scotland from their base in Falkirk. Their team of field service engineers service a range of equipment in hospitals, schools, golf courses, prisons, restaurants, care homes – anywhere people need to eat. The 45-year-old company is still family owned and has been passed from father to son.
A career with possibilities
The company pride themselves on the fact that people stay and develop. Joanne is a good example of this as she was awarded a ‘rising star’ award by ceda. Some of their ex-employees work for them as sub-contractors and remain part of the company in this way.
Apprenticeships
They are keen to take on apprentices too and feel that this is very important as there is soon going to be a shortage of qualified catering field service engineers on the roads of Scotland.
Working throughout the year
Their engineers work on the roads of Scotland in all weathers throughout the year. CSR also stayed open during the Covid pandemic in order to keep hospitals, care homes, and prisons running. The company offer a flexi time policy to balance the urgency of the work and to keep a work life balance.
Their vans are very striking and often noticed even appearing in a film on Netflix.
Further reading about people working in field service on the roads
Spotlight on being a Field Service Leader, Foodservice Equipment
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