Supplier Awards 2026: Warewasher Brand of the Year – Meiko

Meiko has shown this year why it is “the first brand that will be considered when purchasing warewash products”, according to The Caterer’s Supplier Awards judging panel.

Its continued innovation across the professional warewash category and its focus on the needs of hospitality operators means that it has reinforced its position as a trusted and forward-thinking warewash partner for the industry.

Over recent years, Meiko has introduced flexible financing options: its ‘SmartPay’ leasing plan enables operators to access dishwashing equipment from as little as £7 a day. The plan is designed not only to make their equipment more financially accessible, but also to bundle services such as installation, breakdown support and lifelong training.

In 2025 Meiko continued to push its message of ‘cost-saving, labour-saving and planet-saving’ solutions. It unveiled the UPster XD (an extra-large dishwasher with an extended door that accommodates Euro-size boxes), the BioMaster Flex food waste recycling station (a compact machine capable of processing a wide variety of waste), and the slimline PF-S pot washer.

Meiko’s detergents and rinse aids were also developed to meet customer demand, with significantly higher active content and smaller carbon footprints than off-the-shelf products.

Meiko’s sustainable lifetime training impressed judges as being “game-changing”. The manufacturer emphasises that training throughout the dishwasher’s life maintains efficiency, reduces waste and promotes the well-being of support staff.

Last year Meiko also secured a Royal Warrant from King Charles III for the supply and maintenance of warewashing equipment, underscoring the company’s reputation for environmental responsibility as well as quality and service.

In addition, Meiko has used content marketing to reinforce its environmental credentials more broadly. A carbon-reduction guide (Cutting Carbon in the Commercial Kitchen) was developed in partnership with Footprint Intelligence, showing operators how to reduce emissions across kitchen operations.

Meiko’s vision of a cleaner, more efficient and future-proof kitchen, along with its customer engagement and machine reliability, all combined to make it an outright winner.

Judges’ comment

“Meiko is a highly trusted brand in the market and an industry leader that puts customers and end users at the forefront of all it does. Before and after service is exceptional, with lifetime training available to users when needed.”

Stuart Duff, corporate chef for the UK and Ireland, Hilton

The shortlist

• Classeq

• Hobart

• Meiko

• Smeg