< PreviousHOTELIER MIDDLE EA ST | November 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 11 50 Highly Commended Nominee TIME Oak Hotel & Suites Shortlist: Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Mall of the Emirates Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City Park Inn by Radisson Dubai Motor City Premier Inn Dubai Al Jaddaf The Rove Downtown team took home the Mid-Market Hotel Team of the Year title at the 15th Hotelier Middle East Awards. According to the judges, Rove Downtown scored the highest possible marks across the board. The home-grown brand launched a few campaigns which went viral in the past year including the Narcos Launch with Netflix, Dubai’s first augmented reality game - Operation Mindfall and the Emerging Artists competition which received over 200 entries and brought more than 300 visitors to the hotel. The property spearheads initiatives that are profitable and yet give tremendous support to the local community while caring for each guest and maintaining it daily employee pulse check at five out of five. Speaking about why they deserved to win, the team said: “The entire team did a great job and we’ve achieved a lot. We’re proud of the team and our leaders. We’ve always called ourselves the disruptor of the market so we don’t follow market trends, we lead. And that’s what makes us different in the GCC.” Michael Booth trade manager at MMI was on hand to present the award. MID-MARKET HOTEL TEAM OF THE YEAR CATEGORY SPONSOR ROVE DOWNTOWN HOTELIER MIDDLE EA ST | November 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 11 51 Highly Commended Nominee The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai at The Walk, JBR– great work Shortlist: Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai Crowne plaza and HolidayInn Kuwait Al Thuraya City Fairmont The Palm, Dubai Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa, Luxor InterContinental Al Khobar Mövenpick Resort Petra Park Hyatt Dubai voco™ Dubai, an IHG Hotel MMI trade manager Michael Booth presented the award for Hotelier Middle East’s Hotel Team of the Year to Sofitel Dubai The Palm. The property, which celebrated its sixth anniversary this year, has retained 160 employees to date since pre-opening with 97 internal promotions within one year. Operating in a highly competitive landscape, the team has managed to craft successful commercial and operational strategies, achieving an RGI growth vs the competitive set of 3%. The team has also managed to save costs through innovative ideas without compromising the quality of service to both the guests and employees. This contributed to the property being ranked as #2 in the region within the AccorHotels properties. Speaking about how the property has achieved such a high staff retention rate, Sofitel Dubai The Palm, Dubai general manager Christophe Schnyder said: “We recognise each individual’s contribution and we nurture the talent within the hotel.” He added: “There’s a lot of stability within our team. We’ve been together for so many years now and that’s key to our success.” The 15th edition of the Hotelier Middle East Awards took place at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai. HOTEL TEAM OF THE YEAR CATEGORY SPONSOR SOFITEL DUBAI THE PALMHOTELIER MIDDLE EA ST | November 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 11 52HOTELIER MIDDLE EA ST | November 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 11 53 @HOTELIERME #HOTELIERAWARDS VISIT HOTELIERMIDDLEEAST .COM/ REPORTS/ HOTELIER-AWARDSSUPPLIER NEWS & PRODUCT 54 HOTELIER MIDDLE EA ST | November 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 11 BUYER’S GUIDE INDUSTRY NEWS, SUPPLIER AND BUYER OPINIONS AND THE LATEST PRODUCT LAUNCHES Buyer's Guide Pr oduct Guide IKITCHEN BY RATIONAL SHOWCASED IN DUBAI Rational presented the system solution for professional catering to members of the industry Rational showcased the iKitchen of the future to more than 50 industry professionals over two days at four events. The iKitchen system addresses common challenges including skills shortages, cost pressure and digitisation. In addition, there are the increased expectations of customers with regards to quality and catering to dietary require- ments. Rational has created a solution with iKitchen. “We have combined the SelfCookingCenter, VarioCook- ingCenter and ConnectedCooking into a system solution under the name iKitchen,” explained Rational Kitchen & Catering Equipment Trading FZCO managing director Simon Parke-Davis. The objective is to facilitate the work, particu- larly in large kitchens from a volume of 500 meals per day, streamline processes and thus save space, money, energy and raw materials. The two identical user interfaces, which guide the user through the menu according to the same principle, show that the two appliances are made to collaborate. The cook- ing systems also have intelligent functions, which once again make them very easy to operate thus significantly reducing the rate of errors. Even untrained staff can have easy access to various cooking applications. The fact that all resources are used optimally with iKitchen is also demonstrated in the overnight cooking function. Both the SelfCookingCenter and the VarioCookingCenter have this application, which saves so much production time and elimi- nates a lot of pressure from the kitchen. The third component, ConnectedCooking, also helps productivity in that the networking solution can be used to manage and transfer cooking programs centrally, access and save HACCP data from both cooking systems and the SelfCookingCenter can even be controlled remotely. This saves many pathways, reduces the error rate and ensures a consistent standard in food production. The only thing left to do is load and unload. CONTACT Simon Parke-Davis, managing director T: +971 4 338 6615 E: s.parkedavis@rational-online.com W: rational-online.comBUYER'S GUIDE 55 HOTELIER MIDDLE EA ST | November 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 11 ArtioGuest turns one and adds loyalty recognition and viewing insights WHAT’S THE NEWS? ArtioGuest, Exterity’s intuitive hospitality middle- ware provides an enhanced in-room entertain- ment experience for guests through tailored interfaces for accessing TV, Video on Demand (VoD), facilities information, services booking and more. Latest features include the ability to refl ect the guest’s loyalty membership level with a per- sonalised viewing interface. New reporting tool, ArtioInsight, enables analysis of TV channel and VoD viewing statistics to justify hoteliers’ content purchase decisions. HOW DOES IT WORK? ArtioGuest portals are fully customisable and integrate with several Property Management Systems, providing access to a range of services, such as personalised Welcome message, mailbox, room service, billing, activity booking and express checkout, all via the TV. The customisable TV Guide lets guests catch up on programmes up to 7 days after broadcast, while built-in Chromecast sup- port enables guests to cast content from their own device directly onto the TV. WHAT DOES THE EXPERT SAY? Exterity CEO, Colin Farquhar says: “ArtioGuest has evolved quickly to meet customer demand, exceed guest expectations and stay at the forefront of hospitality technology. Since 2001, Exterity has been a trusted provider of integrated, end-to-end IP video solutions and ArtioGuest provides hote- liers with a fresh take on in-room entertainment and communication.” HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE? Meet Exterity at HITEC Dubai 2019. 12-13 Novem- ber Stand A32. Visit www.exterity.com, call +971 (4) 447 0604 or email info@exterity.com EXTERITY WHAT’S THE STORY TECHNOLOGY SCRAEGG won the best innova- tion award at the HOST international hospitality trade fair in Milan, Italy after seeing off 26 competitors from the food service and bever- age sectors. The SCRAEGG system impressed the jury of experts with its wide range of appli- cations and easy handling. The device requires only 30x30cm space and prepares snacks such as scrambled eggs, porridge and soups within seconds, and at the touch of a button. The judges praised this “brilliant idea”, saying it was “beautiful in its simplicity” and yet offers “almost limitless possibilities” of use. Speaking about the win, SCRAEGG CSO Chris Rapp said: “The fact that we received this award at HOST is confirmation for me and the whole team that we are on the right track. We also received a lot of positive feedback at our booth, as SCRAEGG embodies the spirit of our times. Our motto is quick, easy and healthy, and that’s why so many visitors actively sought us out at the show.” CONTACT Ramona Groh E: sales@scraegg.com W: www.scraegg.com SCRAEGG WINS FCSI START ME UP INNOVATION AWARD The prize was awarded for the fi rst time in 2019 by the Foodservice Consultants Society International and Electrolux Professional SUPPLIER NEWS & PRODUCT 56 HOTELIER MIDDLE EA ST | November 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 11 Monin’s new line of Fruit Mixes and Syrups DATE FRUIT MIX A symbol of wealth and abun- dance in many countries in the Middle East, dates have great nutritional value due especially if had with a glass of milk. Rich, complex flavours with hints of herbs and fruitiness, this Date pu- ree provides unique functionality when used with milk, yoghurt and other drinks and desserts. Take a journey to the Middle East with this great tasting Date puree. SAFFRON SYRUP The king of spice when it comes to price, Saffron is the world’s most ex- pensive spice. This is in part due to its growing process where only a small part of the Saffron flower is used to produce this luxury spice. With its unmistakable floral, herbal and exotic scent and taste, it is easy to see why Saffron is always in demand. Le Sirop de MONIN Saffron is great for adventurous cocktails as well as teas, coffees, lemonade and culinary applications. FIG FRUIT MIX Soft pear-shaped fruit with dark flesh and many small seeds. Fig is a species of flowering plant in mulberry family and widely grown throughout the world. The flesh of ripe fig is pulpy, jellylike, but also grainy from the seeds, and a dense stringiness. Le Fruit de MONIN used the finest quality of ingredients. With strong and sweet in taste with a hint of sour, Le Fruit de MONIN is ideal to use in cocktail, mocktails, smoothies and in hot drinks. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THIS ROLE? I started my career in the front offi ce at the Taj in India. Thereafter, I moved to the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi in 2009. I have grown here through the years in various roles in guest services, front offi ce, accounts and fi nally purchasing. WHAT SPECIFIC PRODUCTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? We always strive to get the best quality products available in the market for all areas of the hotel without comprising on quality and price. It helps to create a great image of the hotel to our guests which makes them come back due to quality, value and consistency of the products and services. WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AT WORK? One of the greatest challenges is supplier management. From identifying the right supplier to keeping track of vendor performance and ensuring a stable supply of quality products, the whole process is filled with complications. Hence, we always have to carefully select a supplier. TELL US ABOUT ONE OF YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL DEALS? The Accor brand strives to adopt best practices and suppliers in the region. I have reached out to suppliers to get the best value of products, contracts and prices in all areas of the hotel. This helped us save around AED800,000 in 2017, AED 1 million in 2018 and AED300,000 in 2019 YTD. WHAT DOES A SUPPLIER HAVE TO DO TO IMPRESS YOU? A supplier needs to be honest about his quality of product and needs to be transparent about the delivery time. Most of the time it is highly appreciated if the supplier is flexible in delivering products on an urgent basis. This really helps to build up the trust and relation with a supplier PURCHASING POWER NEW LAUNCHES Clayton Pereira, the purchasing manager at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr talks about his role, the products he’s on the lookout for and more CONTACT T: +971 527465222 E: ocassidy@monin.com W: www.monin.comBUYER'S GUIDE 57 HOTELIER MIDDLE EA ST | November 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 11 WHEN WAS YOUR COMPANY ESTABLISHED? Al Yousuf Sports Equipment is the sport equipment division of the Al Yousuf Group. Founded in 2008, Al Yousuf Sports Equipment is now a leading fi tness equipment distributor in the UAE and in 2019 became the exclusive distributor of the leading fi tness equipment brand – Precor. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EMPLOYED BY YOUR COMPANY? Al Yousuf Sports Equipment has over 25 employees serving the fi tness equipment and service needs of commercial gyms and fi tness clubs, boutique studios, sports centres, residential properties, hotels & resorts, and hospitals & medical centres. The Al Yousuf Group as a whole currently have just over 2000 employees. Faez Abdulahad, division head, Al Yousuf Sports Equipment speaks about new launches and what distinguishes the company from its competitors SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT PRECOR WHAT IS YOUR ANNUAL TURNOVER? AED 130,000,000. WHAT ARE YOUR CORE SERVICES? Our core service is to supply quality fi tness equipment within the UAE in partnership with Precor - the leading fi t- ness equipment in the world - as well as providing annual maintenance contracts to businesses which have Precor equipment. WHAT NEW PRODUCTS HAVE YOU LAUNCHED RECENTLY? Precor has recently launched the Assault AirRower Elite which has exploded in global markets and will soon be available in our showroom in the UAE. We are really looking forward to introducing this unique, fi tness intensive piece of equipment that will take rowing to the next level. WHAT ELSE DOES THE HOTEL INDUSTRY HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO FROM YOU IN 2019? Our partnership with Precor Global provides us with unparal- leled access to technology, innovation and knowledge, which are key elements for hospitality venues looking to bolster their fi tness facilities. Our goal is to equip hotels in the local market with these key elements, and raise the standards of fi tness in the industry. WHAT DO YOU OFFER ABOVE AND BEYOND CLIENT EXPECTATIONS? While competitive pricing and innovation form the crux of what we have to off er to our clients, we also have a credible reputation of responding to service requests within a 24 to 48 hour window. In addition to providing our customers with the best of fi tness equipment, we also display exceptionally high standards of customer support. HOW CAN HOTELS CONTACT YOU? Hotels can reach out to us on +9714 388 3292 or email us on info@alyousufsports.com. RONAISTEELITE Ronai has introduced Nude, a new range of glassware offering a complete solution for the hospitality industry. The Nude portfolio delivers exceptional products with an ethos in simplicity, reliability and practicality. Nude glassware is fit for purpose, sturdy and durable. The idea of practical and aesthetic integration is the guiding principle behind Nude and is reflected both in the culture and manufacture of the attractive, eye-catching collections. CONTACT: T: +971 4341 4409 E: rm@ronai.ae W: www.ronai.ae The brand-new Revolution range is a celebration of the art of artisan glaz- ing. Using reactive glazes that change in colour and inten- sity depending on their application, the Revolution glazes are specially formu- lated to enhance all the nuances experienced in their execution. Applied by hand using a revolving motion, the path that the brush travels across each piece is evident in the fired result. The glazed surface of each piece in the range is as different and unique as the artisan that created it. The Revolution collection provides the ideal platform for Chef to showcase their art, no matter what the cuisine style. The contrasting yet neutral colour tones; Sandstone and Granite blend beautifully together and amplify the quality and skill that goes into Chef’s creation. All items within the Revolution range are manufactured in Stoke-on-Trent and covered by a lifetime edge-chip warranty. Kenny Mack designs are now available from Steelite. A unique collection of resin designs for the table, buffet presenta- tions or displays. These exclusive and functional table top designs include serving bowls, platters, trays, risers, votive lighting and beautiful accessories. With unique shapes, designs and colours, not available in melamine, Kenny Mack resin is a super durable collection that brings an incredibly rich upscale look. From the table to the guest room, these handmade resin designs sit beautifully in diverse hospitality settings. All items within the Kenny Mack collection are food safe, dishwasher safe and break resistant. CONTACT T: +971 (04) 3414409 E: mea@steelite.com W: www.steelite.com ESSENTIAL ITEMS TABLEWAREHOTELIER MIDDLE EA ST | November 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 11 SUPPLIERS YOU SHOULD KNOW 58 Tell us about your brand We specialise in eco-friendly high-tech wellness and health products, improving the quality of air & shower water, enhanc- ing the health and well-being of our customers, and at the same time, saving significantly on energy and water consump- tion. 100% Satisfaction. 50% Savings! Blu Ionic Shower Filters are the #1 most sold energy and water saving shower filters in the world. Our products are available in over 500 renowned pharmacies and health stores in UAE, with over 200,000 units sold to date and over 2,500 5-star ratings and reviews. We are also the #1 top seller on Amazon.ae under the category of hand- held showers and showerhead filters. Blu Ionic Shower Filters are available in rain-shower models, wall-mounted models, as well as a variety of sizes in our hand- held model. Where do you currently operate? Blu has offices in the UAE, Egypt, Hong Kong, and Germany. We are currently expanding into Europe and are planning to open in the USA within the next 12 months. Describe your core business concept and product range? We sell solutions, not products. Our ap- proach is to create a win-win bespoke solution by conducting a site survey where we customise our configuration to optimise water flow dynamics while ensuring significant savings on water and energy consumption. The blu Ionic Shower Filter has proven to save an average of 40%-50% of shower water and heating energy consumption in addition to lowering carbon emissions. In addition, independent guest surveys conducted by our partners have proven that over 90% of their guests ac- knowledged a significant improvement in their shower experience in every poll. Why should the hospitality industry work with you? We work based on generating ROI for the hotel as well as improving the guest hospitality experience. Our products are not an expense but rather an investment with a short ROI usually in the length of 10 – 20 months, depending on the cost of water, occupancy rates, cost of heating, and more. Our quality of product and customer service and after-sales service is what makes us stand out in the market. A hotel is not merely a client, but our partner and we stand with them no matter what happens. I have felt how much this is appreciated in the market, and I believe a significant part of our success comes from the fact that we are there 24/7, no matter what. In summary: • We can save valuable resources and money by reducing the shower water and energy consumption by up to 50%, thereby increasing profits as well as minimising the environmental impact. • Hotel guests› have a better shower hospitality experience by having enhanced water flow dynamics and offering a purified and ionised healthy water experience. Which hotels have you recently part- nered with? We are currently installed in 150+ luxury properties in UAE, Oman, Lebanon and Egypt and we work proudly with IHG, Accor, Millen- nium, Marriott, Radisson and many more. Due to our success in creating fantastic shower experiences at low water flow rates, it truly is a win-win for hotels. They save significantly on their water bills while at the same time, their guests love the shower experience. Many of the international hotel groups have done internal guest surveys on their frequent or long-term staying guests, and consistently 90% plus of their guests prefer Blu shower filters over the existing units even at half the flow rates. Tell us about your latest release We are launching Generation Xl now with improved spray flow, better filtration, more considerable savings due to lower water flow requirements, and it is also more du- rable. It is a significant step forward for our products, and the new products are based on ten years of research and inputs from all of our valuable partners. It is the best product launched so far. What is the company working on for the next 12-18 months? Saving valuable resources such as water and energy is becoming a must for all responsible hoteliers. Consumers and other businesses are increasingly making decisions regarding whom they deal with based on their green credentials. Blu water and energy saving shower filters are the solutions. They feel much better than traditional showerheads and self-proclaimed massaging devices. We are focusing heavily on expanding our hotel business. BLU INTELLIGENT HEALTH SOLUTIONS Lars Nauras Mourey, founding partner & regional managing director GET IN TOUCH T: 800 bluuae (258 823) E: info@bluuae.com W: www.swissblu.comSUPPLIERS YOU SHOULD KNOW HOTELIER MIDDLE EA ST | November 2019 | Volume 18 Issue 11 59 How would you describe your com- pany and when was it established? Established in 1995 Sanipex Group started as a commercial trading office for high quality European Plumbing and Bathroom Products. By the year 2000 the company opened its first BagnoDesign branded showroom, appealing to architects, design- ers and developers. The first BagnoDesign products were just six ceramic basins, now we have almost 3,000 products in our catalogue. We’ve also just expanded our tile offering and introduced outdoor furniture & lighting with the Sanipex Gallery - to service full hotel projects. Our first warehouse had a total of 100 items, now we hold US$12Million stock in an 80,000sqft space to service our brands presence in over 40 countries. How many people are employed by your company? We have 287 employees throughout our warehouse, offices and six showrooms across the UAE. To service our presence in over 40 countries, distributing 30 of the world’s leading brands we have represen- tative offices in Eire, UK, Italy, China, Saudi Arabia and Oman.Despite being a large company, we have a family, team ethic to improve and grow together. Training and development is at the heart of Sanipex’s growth. Many employees have been with us for 10 years, some 20 years. What is your annual turnover? With growth year on year, we have seen our UAE entities show a substantial net profit growth of 362% over the last six years; through building long term client re- lationships and having a dependable level of service and unrivalled product offering. What are your core products or ser- vices for the hospitality industry? We are the one-stop shop in this industry. Sanipex Group is the chosen bathroom and tile supplier for many prestigious design practises and hotel groups. However, we’ve recently progressed to supplying products beyond the bathroom. Tile libraries, outdoor living and lighting as well as spa and wellness can be found in the new Sanipex Gallery; which will be invaluable to clients when renovating or designing projects. What sets your company apart from its competitors? Availability of stock, first-class service and the great variety of product. We have an extensive and exclusive product portfolio that constantly adapts to and sets market trends – proven by our expansion into outdoor living. BagnoDesign and the Sanipex Gallery house our luxury products and tiles, however the Aquazone brand services all plumbing and washroom solu- tions. We are servicing many aspects of the Expo 2020 due to our ability to deliver the specified and approved products to the tight deadline required as well as ac- commodating the further 20% reduction on standard water saving. Have you launched any products or services recently? Sanipex’s major launch of 2019 is the Sanipex Gallery, it encompasses slab and mosaic libraries, outdoor furniture and lighting, spa and wellness products and even illuminated planters. We’re already known as a one-stop shop in the bathroom industry, now we are excited to invite the A&D community to experience the prod- ucts with their clients and demonstrate our ability to specify more areas in their projects. Is your company involved in any sustainability initiatives? First and foremost, Sanipex complies with ESMA & SASO. In addition to ISO 9001 we also have Environmental Management System 14,001. Our com- mitment to this service has developed our new paperless goods received and quality assurance system, as well as a mobile app for technical reporting, these systems are both environmentally friendly as well as further improving our efficiency and accuracy of stock. How does your service or product add value to a hotel’s offering? Sanipex delivers stock on time, in full, to short deadlines and our technical team are always available to assist. This works together with our design-led, high quality product range. Offering our perfectly co-ordinated, full colour, brassware solution is unique and lifts the hotel away from standard design. Tiles also create a first impression and we have exclusivity to hundreds of con- temporary Italian tiles. In addition, sup- plying hydrotherapy and chromotherapy shower heads and steam systems is key to providing a memorable hotel spa experience. Outside the bathroom, we offer high-quality outdoor furniture such as sun loungers and daybeds, which will improve guests’ level of comfort. SANIPEX GROUP Daryl Barker, owner & group managing director GET IN TOUCH T: +971 4 5076000 E: info@sanipexgroup.com W: www.sanipexgroup.comNext >