Servair: Difference between revisions
imported>Canterbury Tail Remove mass of long term unsourced, almost self-congratulatory, directory/awards type of information. |
imported>SonicHambone No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|European airport catering company}} | {{Short description|European airport catering company}} | ||
{{Infobox company | {{Infobox company | ||
| name | | name = Servair | ||
| logo | | logo = Servair logo (new).svg | ||
| type | | type = | ||
| predecessor | | predecessor = | ||
| successor | | successor = | ||
| founder | | founder = | ||
| defunct | | defunct = | ||
| fate | | fate = | ||
| area_served | | area_served = Worldwide | ||
| key_people | | key_people = Sébastien Burnier<br /> Guy Zacklad | ||
| industry | | industry = Airline catering | ||
| genre | | genre = | ||
| products | | products = | ||
| services | | services = | ||
| revenue | | revenue = | ||
| operating_income = | | operating_income = | ||
| net_income | | net_income = | ||
| aum | | aum = | ||
| assets | | assets = | ||
| equity | | equity = | ||
| owner | | owner = | ||
| num_employees | | num_employees = >10,000 | ||
| parent | | parent = [[Gategroup]] | ||
| divisions | | divisions = | ||
| subsid | | subsid = | ||
| footnotes | | footnotes = | ||
| foundation | | foundation = 1971 | ||
| location_city | | location_city = | ||
| location_country = | | location_country = | ||
| location | | location = [[Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport]]<br />France | ||
| locations | | locations = | ||
| homepage | | homepage = {{url|http://www.servair.fr/}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Servair''' is a French airline [[catering]] company. It is | '''Servair''' is a French airline [[catering]] company. It is a majority-owned subsidiary of the Swiss catering company [[Gategroup]] (70%), with [[Air France]] being a reference shareholder.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://www.servair.fr/en/about-us/servair/? |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=Servair |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Annual Report 2024 |url=https://gategroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/gategroup-2024-Annual-Report.pdf |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=Gategroup}}</ref> Servair has its head office at [[Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport]].<ref>"[http://corporate.airfrance.com/en/the-airline/subsidiaries/servair/ Servair] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117114219/http://corporate.airfrance.com/en/the-airline/subsidiaries/servair/ |date=17 November 2011 }}." [[Air France]]. Retrieved 21 June 2010.<br />- "[http://plan.tremblay-en-france.fr/ Plan interactif] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213050808/http://plan.tremblay-en-france.fr/ |date=2007-12-13 }}", [[Tremblay-en-France]]. Retrieved 18 February 2010.</ref> | ||
== History == | |||
=== Founding and establishment === | |||
Founded in 1971 as a subsidiary of Air France,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hendry |first=Jonathan E. |date=2023-06-16 |title=Servair: Everything You Need To Know About Air France's Catering Subsidiary |url=https://simpleflying.com/servair-air-franc-catering-subsidiary-guide/ |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=Simple Flying |language=en}}</ref> the company opened its first catering production facility in 1974 to coincide with the inauguration of [[Charles de Gaulle Airport]]. | |||
On March 13, 1974, Servair provided catering for the first time, supplying a [[Trans World Airlines|TWA]] [[Boeing 747]] with onboard meals.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
In 1987, Servair was selected by [[SNCF]] to provide catering services on the [[SNCF TGV Atlantique|TGV-Atlantique]] high speed rail service.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1989-09-28 |title=Servair is seeking a partner for TGV services. |work=[[Les Echos (France)|Les Echos]]}}</ref> After 11 years, Servair sold its railway catering division to Wagons-Lits, a subsidiary of [[Accor]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1998-01-02 |title=Servair sells railway catering business to Wagons-Lits |work=[[Les Echos (France)|Les Echos]]}}</ref> | |||
In 1989, Servair started its development in Africa, beginning in [[Libreville]], [[Gabon]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-04 |title=Côte d’Ivoire : Servair ouvre un deuxième Burger King à l’aéroport d’Abidjan |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/315463/economie-entreprises/cote-divoire-servair-ouvre-un-deuxieme-burger-king-a-laeroport-dabidjan/ |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=JeuneAfrique.com |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
From 1992, Servair expanded its services to include cleaning and cabin fitting. In 1993, it also introduced special flight services, which encompassed personalised services for [[Concorde]] flights as well as presidential flights.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
In the following years, Servair continued to expand its range of services and offerings. In 2003, Aeroform was established, later renamed Servair Formation, which provides airport handling training for Servair employees.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Servair History |url=https://www.servair.fr/en/about-us/servair-history/ |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=Servair |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2009, Servair began to broaden its culinary offerings by founding the Servair Culinary Studio, led by [[Michel Roth]] from 2024.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Delcourt |first=Agnès |date=2024-06-21 |title=Le Studio Culinaire de Servair nomme Michel Roth comme Président |url=https://www.neorestauration.com/article/le-studio-culinaire-de-servair-nomme-michel-roth-comme-president,72227 |journal=Restauration Neo |language=fr}}</ref> In 2012, the company introduced services for airport lounge management. Additionally, in 2015, the first Servair operated [[Burger King]] was opened.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collet |first=Valérie |date=2015-12-01 |title=Servair ouvre un Burger King en Afrique de l'Ouest |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/2015/12/01/20005-20151201ARTFIG00093-servair-ouvre-un-burger-king-en-afrique-de-l-ouest.php |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=[[Le Figaro]] |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
In 2010 Servair signed a seven-year contract to become catering purchasing advisor for former Italian airline [[Alitalia]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-11-26 |title=Servair in charge of Alitalia catering purchases |work=[[Les Echos (France)|Les Echos]]}}</ref> | |||
=== Takeover by Gategroup === | |||
In early 2016, Air France announced its intention to sell the majority stake in Servair.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collet |first=Valérie |date=2016-03-17 |title=Air France s'apprête à céder la majorité de Servair |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/2016/03/17/20005-20160317ARTFIG00206-air-france-s-apprete-a-ceder-la-majorite-de-servair.php |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=[[Le Figaro]] |language=fr}}</ref> By January 2017, Gategroup acquired 50% minus one share of Servair, at a company valuation of €237.5 million.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-12-30 |title=Neuer Marktführer im Airline-Catering |work=[[Börsen-Zeitung]] |pages=1 |language=de}}</ref> This move established Gategroup as the market leader in food-related services to the travel industry<ref>{{Cite news |last=Badertscher |first=Marc |date=2018-03-22 |title=Der Jackpot |work=[[Handelszeitung]] |pages=3 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-12-30 |title=Chinas HNA verdrängt Lufthansa als führenden Bordverpfleger |work=[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]] |pages=27 |language=de}}</ref> and increased its revenue from [[Swiss franc|CHF]] 3 billion to around CHF 4.4 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Imwinkelried |first=Daniel |date=2016-12-30 |title=Gategroup setzt sich ab |work=[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]] |pages=24 |language=de}}</ref> By acquiring additional shares in 2019, the Group increased its stake in Servair to 50.0% plus one share. Following further adjustments to the put option structure, it raised its ownership to 65.0% on May 31, 2021. In 2024, a new agreement and revised option terms led to the purchase of another 5.0%, bringing the Group's total ownership to 70.0% as of December 31, 2024.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
In 2018 Servair opened its new production unit in [[Ghana]] at [[Kotoka International Airport]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last= |first= |date=2018-01-31 |title=Servair inaugure une nouvelle unité au Ghana |url=https://www.neorestauration.com/article/servair-inaugure-une-nouvelle-unite-au-ghana,41125 |journal=Restauration Neo |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
In response to the downturn in the airline catering sector during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Servair diversified its operations by supplying rations to African military forces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitehouse |first=David |date=2021-04-30 |title=Servair to supply African army rations as air travel food market collapses |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/84238/servair-to-supply-african-army-rations-as-air-travel-food-market-collapses/ |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=The Africa Report |language=en}}</ref> | |||
=== Catering for ISS space mission === | |||
In 2021, Servair was commissioned by the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) to develop gourmet meals for astronauts aboard the [[International Space Station]] (ISS) during the Alpha mission. The project involved cooperation with astronaut [[Thomas Pesquet]] and the Technical Center for the Preservation of Agricultural Products (CTCPA). The meals had to meet specific criteria, including a two-year shelf life at room temperature, reduced sodium content, and the absence of alcohol.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grylls |first=Bethan |date=2021-04-09 |title=Gourmet menus launch into space |url=https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/article/143344/servair-gourmet-space-food/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=New Food Magazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-25 |title=Gastronauts are Go as Gourmet Menus Launch into Space |url=https://www.aviationpros.com/ground-support-worldwide/ground-handling/ground-handlers-service-providers/catering-cleaning-services/press-release/21215949/gategroup-gastronauts-are-go-as-gourmet-menus-launch-into-space |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Aviation Pros |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |date=2021-04-22 |title=It’s Dinner Time on the Space Station. Lobster or Beef Bourguignon? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/science/astronauts-food-space-station.html |access-date=2025-06-04 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | |||
=== Expansion of sustainability and the culinary offering === | |||
By the end of 2022, Air France committed to offering exclusively French meat, dairy products, and eggs, as well as fish from local fisheries and sustainable organic children's menus on its flights departing from Paris, across all cabins. To combat waste, the airline introduced a pre-selection of hot meals in Business Class prior to departure. Additionally, it aimed to eliminate 90% of single-use plastics by early 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robert |first=Martine |date=2022-08-31 |title=Servair : les défis du redécollage d'un acteur historique de l'aérien |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/services-conseils/servair-les-defis-du-redecollage-dun-acteur-historique-de-laerien-1784757 |access-date=2025-06-27 |work=[[Les Echos (France)|Les Echos]] |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
In 2024, Servair partnered with ''la marque du consommateur'' (the consumer brand) to incorporate consumer-driven products into its offerings. The collaboration begins with [[Ultra-high-temperature processing|UHT]] [[milk]] and is set to expand to other products.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Riberolle |first=Amélie |date=2024-10-11 |title=Servair s'engage avec "C'est Qui Le Patron?" |url=https://www.neorestauration.com/article/servair-s-engage-avec-c-est-qui-le-patron,72523 |journal=Restauration Neo |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
Since February 1, 2024, Air France has been offering its Business customers travelling on its short-haul network a catering offer developed in collaboration with François Adamski, [[Bocuse d'Or|Bocuse d’Or]] winner and [[Meilleur Ouvrier de France]] recipient.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-06 |title=François Adamski signe l'offre gastronomique des vols Business d'Air France |url=https://www.lyon-entreprises.com/entreprise/info/offre-gastronomique-vols-courts-courriers-business-air-france |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=Lyon Entreprises |language=fr-FR}}</ref> | |||
== Company Structure == | |||
Servair is a subsidiary of Gategroup (70%).<ref name=":1" /> The company has several own subsidiaries and production sites in France. Servair has over 30 catering units in 19 countries and maintains a laboratory for quality and food safety.<ref name=":0" /> The company is led by Sébastien Burnier, who heads the Southern Europe and Africa region, and Guy Zackland, the General Manager.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Delcourt |first=Agnès |date=2024-11-04 |title=Deux nominations chez servair |url=https://www.neorestauration.com/article/deux-nominations-chez-servair,72603 |journal=Restauration Neo |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
== Services == | |||
The company's primary revenue streams are divided into airport and food services, which operate at an industrial and institutional scale.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
The on-board food services include design of meals, food preparations, arrangement of the food on trays, and their delivery to the aircraft. Servair offers over 5,000 different recipes and over 1,000 menus and produces over 120,000 meals every day.<ref name=":0" /> Servair also operates several airport lounges, shops, bars and restaurants<ref>{{Cite news |date=1993-10-22 |title=Air France set to sell quarter of Servairs capital |work=[[Les Echos (France)|Les Echos]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Mark |date=2019-04-19 |title=Servair unveils new football-themed concept bar at Kotoka International Airport |url=https://moodiedavittreport.com/servair-unveils-new-football-themed-concept-bar-at-kotoka-international-airport/ |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=Moodie Davitt Report |language=en-US}}</ref> and cleaning services.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-06-01 |title=HNA to buy Virgin Australia stake |work=[[China Daily]] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Awards (Selection) == | |||
* 2023 and 2024: World Airlines Award, awarded by [[Skytrax]] for the first class of Air France.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Delcourt |first=Agnès |date=2023-06-28 |title=Air France décroche le titre de meilleure restauration aérienne pour la Première classe |url=https://www.neorestauration.com/article/air-france-decroche-le-titre-de-meilleure-restauration-aerienne-pour-la-premiere-classe-grace-a-servair,70251 |journal=Restauration Neo |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Markus |date=2024-06-28 |title=Skytrax World Airline Awards 2024 |url=https://meilenoptimieren.com/skytrax-world-airline-awards-2024-beste-airlines-der-welt/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Meilenoptimieren |language=de}}</ref> | |||
* 2024 and 2025: Airline Caterer of the Year Africa, awarded by Pax.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-24 |title=PAX Readership Awards 2024: Products, photos and words from the winners |url=https://www.pax-intl.com/product-news-events/events/2024/07/24/pax-readership-award-winners-2024/ |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=PAX International |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-10 |title=PAX announces 2025 Readership Awards winners |url=https://www.pax-intl.com/product-news-events/events/2025/04/10/photos-pax-announces-2025-readership-awards-winners/ |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=PAX International |language=en}}</ref> | |||
* 2025: Top Chef Eurocham Bénin award, presented by Eurocham Bénin in partnership with the French Embassy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-17 |title=Edition 2025 du Concours Top Chef Eurocham Bénin |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/benin/edition-2025-du-concours-top-chef-eurocham-b%C3%A9nin_fr?s=84 |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=EEAS |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Latest revision as of 13:59, 27 June 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherTemplate:Main otherScript error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Servair is a French airline catering company. It is a majority-owned subsidiary of the Swiss catering company Gategroup (70%), with Air France being a reference shareholder.[1][2] Servair has its head office at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.[3]
History
Founding and establishment
Founded in 1971 as a subsidiary of Air France,[4] the company opened its first catering production facility in 1974 to coincide with the inauguration of Charles de Gaulle Airport.
On March 13, 1974, Servair provided catering for the first time, supplying a TWA Boeing 747 with onboard meals.[4]
In 1987, Servair was selected by SNCF to provide catering services on the TGV-Atlantique high speed rail service.[5] After 11 years, Servair sold its railway catering division to Wagons-Lits, a subsidiary of Accor.[6]
In 1989, Servair started its development in Africa, beginning in Libreville, Gabon.[7]
From 1992, Servair expanded its services to include cleaning and cabin fitting. In 1993, it also introduced special flight services, which encompassed personalised services for Concorde flights as well as presidential flights.[4]
In the following years, Servair continued to expand its range of services and offerings. In 2003, Aeroform was established, later renamed Servair Formation, which provides airport handling training for Servair employees.[8] In 2009, Servair began to broaden its culinary offerings by founding the Servair Culinary Studio, led by Michel Roth from 2024.[9] In 2012, the company introduced services for airport lounge management. Additionally, in 2015, the first Servair operated Burger King was opened.[10]
In 2010 Servair signed a seven-year contract to become catering purchasing advisor for former Italian airline Alitalia.[11]
Takeover by Gategroup
In early 2016, Air France announced its intention to sell the majority stake in Servair.[12] By January 2017, Gategroup acquired 50% minus one share of Servair, at a company valuation of €237.5 million.[13] This move established Gategroup as the market leader in food-related services to the travel industry[14][15] and increased its revenue from CHF 3 billion to around CHF 4.4 billion.[16] By acquiring additional shares in 2019, the Group increased its stake in Servair to 50.0% plus one share. Following further adjustments to the put option structure, it raised its ownership to 65.0% on May 31, 2021. In 2024, a new agreement and revised option terms led to the purchase of another 5.0%, bringing the Group's total ownership to 70.0% as of December 31, 2024.[2]
In 2018 Servair opened its new production unit in Ghana at Kotoka International Airport.[17]
In response to the downturn in the airline catering sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, Servair diversified its operations by supplying rations to African military forces.[18]
Catering for ISS space mission
In 2021, Servair was commissioned by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop gourmet meals for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during the Alpha mission. The project involved cooperation with astronaut Thomas Pesquet and the Technical Center for the Preservation of Agricultural Products (CTCPA). The meals had to meet specific criteria, including a two-year shelf life at room temperature, reduced sodium content, and the absence of alcohol.[19][20][21]
Expansion of sustainability and the culinary offering
By the end of 2022, Air France committed to offering exclusively French meat, dairy products, and eggs, as well as fish from local fisheries and sustainable organic children's menus on its flights departing from Paris, across all cabins. To combat waste, the airline introduced a pre-selection of hot meals in Business Class prior to departure. Additionally, it aimed to eliminate 90% of single-use plastics by early 2023.[22]
In 2024, Servair partnered with la marque du consommateur (the consumer brand) to incorporate consumer-driven products into its offerings. The collaboration begins with UHT milk and is set to expand to other products.[23]
Since February 1, 2024, Air France has been offering its Business customers travelling on its short-haul network a catering offer developed in collaboration with François Adamski, Bocuse d’Or winner and Meilleur Ouvrier de France recipient.[24]
Company Structure
Servair is a subsidiary of Gategroup (70%).[2] The company has several own subsidiaries and production sites in France. Servair has over 30 catering units in 19 countries and maintains a laboratory for quality and food safety.[4] The company is led by Sébastien Burnier, who heads the Southern Europe and Africa region, and Guy Zackland, the General Manager.[25]
Services
The company's primary revenue streams are divided into airport and food services, which operate at an industrial and institutional scale.[4]
The on-board food services include design of meals, food preparations, arrangement of the food on trays, and their delivery to the aircraft. Servair offers over 5,000 different recipes and over 1,000 menus and produces over 120,000 meals every day.[4] Servair also operates several airport lounges, shops, bars and restaurants[26][27] and cleaning services.[28]
Awards (Selection)
- 2023 and 2024: World Airlines Award, awarded by Skytrax for the first class of Air France.[29][30]
- 2024 and 2025: Airline Caterer of the Year Africa, awarded by Pax.[31][32]
- 2025: Top Chef Eurocham Bénin award, presented by Eurocham Bénin in partnership with the French Embassy.[33]
See also
References
External links
Template:Air France Template:Airline catering companies Template:Authority control
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ "Servair Template:Webarchive." Air France. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
- "Plan interactif Template:Webarchive", Tremblay-en-France. Retrieved 18 February 2010. - ↑ a b c d e f Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".