CESA becomes FEA

Following membership research and consultation, the foodservice equipment industry’s leading trade association, the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association, or CESA, has officially become FEA, the Foodservice Equipment Association.

“Our research highlighted the need for change,” said John Whitehouse, chair of FEA. “The market has moved on hugely in recent years and we needed to acknowledge that change. Members told us we needed a name that encompasses the breadth of products and services that they offer.

“Foodservice is a broader term than catering and the new name more accurately reflects this. In fact, our membership has broadened so that now we represent not only equipment manufacturers but also importers, distributors and service providers. This breadth of membership is also represented in our new structure, with product group forums covering 11 specific product areas, such as refrigeration, service, warewashing and so on.”

FEA will continue the association’s work with government and legislators, representing members’ interests in areas as diverse as Brexit and climate change.

“There’s also a strongly strategic side to our activities,” continued Whitehouse. “We’re tasked with looking at the bigger picture – hence our work on the circular economy, connectivity and so on. This work is often at an international level, for example, the FEA chairs the international working party that is establishing a common global standard for connectivity.”