December products and suppliers update: Business moves for Delphis Eco, Jing Tea and Hobart Service

Seattle’s Best Coffee relaunches with Which Wich

 

Seattle’s Best Coffee, the American brand owned by Nestlé, has relaunched in the UK. Seattle’s Best Coffee already has served and self-serve locations in colleges and universities, workplaces and NHS sites, and is launching its next chapter through a partnership with US-founded sandwich brand Which Wich, set to open its newest store in Cardiff in December.

 

Beyond Meat returns to BrewDog menus

Plant-based meat Beyond Meat is back on the menu at Scottish craft brewer and national bar operator BrewDog. The plant-based burger is being rolled out across 54 BrewDog bars and pubs nationwide.

 

Delphis Eco retains B Corp status

 

Sustainable cleaning brand Delphis Eco has been re-certified as a B Corporation. This marks the third certification for the firm, which first achieved the status in 2018. The B Corp assessment measures impact across governance, workers, community, environment and customers, requiring a minimum score of 80 to qualify.

 

French vermouth heads to Stonegate estate

 

In a deal brokered by drinks supplier Paragon Brands, La Quintinye Vermouth Royal is now listed as the house vermouth across the 1,000-plus Stonegate Pubs managed estate. The three variants of the vermouth – Extra Dry, Blanc and Rouge – are made from blends of French white wines, Pineau Blanc and Rouge, along with 37 aromatic plants.

 

Jing Tea achieves EcoVadis Platinum status

 

Jing Tea has been awarded EcoVadis Platinum status for its sustainable practices. The status puts Jing in the top 1% of companies rated by EcoVadis globally and the first tea company to be Platinum rated. EcoVadis offers independent evaluations of companies’ sustainability practices, covering themes such as environment, labour rights, human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

 

Sunnex becomes key Zodiac shareholder

 

Light equipment specialist Zodiac Stainless Products Company has completed a capital increase through a new strategic partnership with Hong Kong-based Sunnex Products, its largest supplier and longstanding partner. Zodiac has also made a major investment in its warehousing operations, with plans under way to relocate to a larger site in Birmingham in the first quarter of next year to increase stock capacity.

 

Activate Apprenticeships welcomes Hall & Woodhouse trainees

 

Activate Apprenticeships has welcomed its first cohort of Senior Production Chef Level 3 Apprentices from pub group Hall & Woodhouse. The apprentices will be trained at Reading College and University Centre’s restaurant, the Kitchen, where they will be taught food preparation techniques covering sauces, poultry, desserts and seafood. At the end of the course the apprentices will take over the Kitchen to run a service showcasing their skills.

 

Hobart Service introduces AI chatbot

 

Hobart Service has launched Hobie, an AI-powered chatbot designed to offer customers support and troubleshooting advice for Hobart, Bonnet, ecomax by Hobart, Mastro and Elro catering equipment. Hobie, accessible via both the Hobart Service and Ecomax by Hobart websites, will respond to queries 24/7.

 

Hoxton partners with Maverick Drinks

 

East London-based spirits brand Hoxton has signed a UK distribution partnership with Atom Group. The move will see distributor Maverick Drinks take Hoxton’s line-up nationwide, including its tropical, dry and pink gin, banana rum and spiced whisky.

 

Smart bin firm receives £1.3m investment

 

Food waste technology company Limetrack has raised more than £1.3m for its patented Smart Bin, an Internet of Things-enabled bin that weighs and reports waste and carbon emissions. The funds were raised through a combination of a £1m loan from government-sponsored Innovate UK and £320,000 in equity from backers including waste industry corporates, an impact venture capital fund and angel investors. The investments will be used to increase production, enabling the business to fulfil existing orders and pre-orders, with a pipeline of more than 5,700 units for 2026.

 

Fine Bedding Company improves B Corp score

 

The Fine Bedding Company has achieved a B Corp re-certification, improving its overall B Impact Score from 84.3 in 2022 to 112.6 in 2025. The company supplies lines including the adjustable HoneyFoam pillow and Return to Nature bedding, made from plant-based fibres and responsibly sourced cotton, which break down instead of ending up in landfill.

 

Middleton Foods invests £4m in manufacturing expansion

 

Foodservice and bakery pre-mixes manufacturer Middleton Foods has begun a development of its manufacturing facility in Willenhall in the West Midlands. The factory is undergoing a £4m site expansion that will add 780 sq m to its footprint across four floors, including a presentation suite and photography studio.

 

Catering kit representatives take on 6 Nations Plus Challenge

 

UK catering equipment supply chain representatives are banding together to raise money for cancer charity Maggie’s by taking on the 6 Nations Plus Challenge. Spearheaded by James Connolly, business development manager at Celltherm Coldrooms, the one-day endurance event in May will see teams complete three stages: kayaking on Loch Lomond, a controlled 90ft ascent of the Kelpies in Falkirk, and a final climb of the Cobbler (Ben Arthur) in Arrochar. Each team will represent one of rugby’s traditional Six Nations or an invited ‘plus’ nation.

 

>> Read November’s products and suppliers update