LSG Sky Chefs Invites Guests on a Journey of Taste at InnoTrans
Customer portfolio significantly expanded with on-board services becoming key differentiators in train business
Neu-Isenburg, Germany – For the second time in a row, LSG Sky Chefs, the world’s largest provider of in-flight services, will be at InnoTrans showcasing its portfolio of products and services across all aspects of the travel chain under the slogan, “Join us on a journey of taste.” InnoTrans is the leading transport technology trade fair taking place again in Berlin, Germany, September 23-26, 2014.
In 2011, LSG Sky Chefs made the strategic decision to enter markets adjacent to its core airline catering business. One of those was the train catering segment. “Before 1990, airlines clearly dominated transportation on medium- and long-haul distances,” explained Stefan Patermann, LSG Sky Chefs’ Vice President Business Development and Strategy Europe. “Since then, high-speed train (HST) operators have absorbed a portion of the market share from airlines on short-haul distances thanks the extension of high-speed lines across Europe.”
Today, airlines and HSTs are competing for medium-haul journeys that take between three and five hours. As a result, train on-board services are increasingly coming into focus as key differentiators and additional revenue generators. Moreover, as the resemblance between HST passengers and air passengers grows, railway companies are finding the need to adapt their ancillary services to match the airlines. “Given our extensive knowledge and experience in this arena, we are the perfect partner for HST operators,” Patermann continues.
Since acquiring the business of the Thello night trains between Paris and Venice in 2011, the LSG Sky Chefs train customer base has expanded with the addition of HST operators in Germany (ICE Alleo) and Brussels (Thalys and Eurostar). The company intends to announce two new train customers at upcoming InnoTrans.
The key competence areas on display at LSG Sky Chefs’ booth (Hall 1.1, stand 523) range from classic catering, customized concept design, equipment, logistics, crew management and lounge concepts to tailor-made Buy-on-Board and retail concepts.
“We want to make traveling by rail a more fun and exciting experience without compromising efficiency,” said Patermann. “What we basically do is transform trends into reality, with a strong focus on customization. We deliver what we promise.”
This year’s banner slogan clearly points to one of LSG Sky Chefs’ core competencies: Culinary Excellence. With that in mind, visitors will be invited to participate in cooking workshops with the company’s own Chef Maurizio Ferro from Rome. “Taste is the gateway to emotion and is at the heart of what we do,” said Maurizio Ferro. “We would like show that our experienced chefs and operational experts can design innovative concepts for train operators that perfectly fit their brand with not only high-quality food that tastes great, but also by applying the best cooking methods, food technology and logistics.”
For more info about InnoTrans: www.innotrans.deJoin us on a journey of taste in Hall 1.1, stand 523
Dates: September 23 – 26, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
LSG Sky Chefs’ train division provides an entire range of services including the supply of nearly 3.5 million meals a year to train operators in Europe. In 2013, with 14 exclusive train service centers operating in France, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Sweden, LSG Sky Chefs’ train division reached revenues of 35 million. More info at trainservices.lsgskychefs.com.