New MD for Meiko UK as Bill Downie retires

Paul Anderson has been appointed managing director for Meiko UK following Bill Downie's retirement from the company after 24 years.

Anderson joins Meiko from Hoshizaki UK, where he was sales director and credited with increasing market share and forging the Gram brand and reputation as one of the leading manufacturers of commercial refrigeration.

Anderson has history with Meiko having spent two years as a regional sales manager in the early 2000s and is delighted to have been chosen to lead Meiko UK and to inherit what Bill Downie says is, ‘the best bunch of employees in the industry'.

"Bill Downie has made a huge contribution to the UK foodservice industry," says Anderson.

"His passion and devotion to delivering market-leading products along with the best in customer service has driven Meiko UK's growth from a small acorn into a mighty oak tree.

"I will be wearing a different pair of shoes and bringing a new pair of eyes to Meiko UK. The direction may change as we consider new ideas and concepts, but I will always be treading the same path to success that I have followed and indeed, which has been forged by Bill and his team."

Downie commented: "I am absolutely delighted that Paul has been appointed to succeed me as managing director of Meiko UK. From the numerous calls that I have received, it's clear that the appointment is an inspired choice by the directors of the Meiko group and a choice that I wholeheartedly support."

Downie's departure from the industry was marked at a celebratory lunch at the headquarters of the Honourable Artillery Company in London.

Consultants, catering equipment distributors, project managers, Meiko UK customers, the media and core staff from Meiko UK and Germany, gathered to wish him well.

Meiko group CEO Stefan Scheringer, (although absent due to illness), provided a statement read by Meiko chief technical officer Dr Thomas Peukert, which praised Bill Downie for his business vision and strategic thinking, but most of all for his overriding passion for plain and sincere speaking, whether dealing with customers or Meiko itself.

Meiko's latest dishwasher, the M-iClean H was unveiled at the end of the event.

Anderson formally takes over the running of Meiko on the 1 April 2017.