PARTNER PROFILE
FOH ’ S SIMONE MAYER serves it up
In this executive Q & A , Simone Mayer , co-founder and CEO of FOH , shares her thoughts on how the hotel industry , and specifically F & B , have changed over time , what the trends are and where it ’ s headed .
FOH ® was founded in 2002 . In the more than 20 years of operations , what has been the biggest change or shift in the hotel and food and beverage industries that has impacted your business ? The foodservice and hospitality industry has made a huge shift toward reducing the impact of its carbon footprint and creating more eco-friendly product options . Instead of producing single-use products or those made from plastic , the industry has moved toward providing solutions that are made from recycled materials with decomposable elements and products made from durable materials that can be reused numerous times . In response to this global transition , we are more mindful of the products we design and manufacture to increase the number of sustainable solutions in our portfolio . We have introduced sustainable collections and have modified some of the materials we use in our products to ensure they are both stylish and environmentally friendly .
Foodservice in hospitality has gone through many trends and iterations , especially as brands alter F & B standards . How does FOH keep up with those changes and adapt product to those adjustments ? With our ears to the ground , we make it a point to frequently communicate with our partners on a one-on-one basis to learn about areas of improvement that remain untapped . This allows us to anticipate their needs , fill in any gaps in the industry and discuss how to best navigate through new trends and iterations . Keeping an open line of communication and an open-door policy with our partners ensures we can continue to be a reliable resource while also increasing our efficiency and support capabilities .
In the service of design , our ideations and concepts originate from the solutions we look forward to providing our partners with . We gain inspiration for new category launches and product extensions from their direct feedback , helping us alleviate any major pain points in the market . We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional quality and function in a stylish way . However , our commitment goes beyond the initial intention . We continuously monitor the strength and durability of our products by repeating our testing process on a scheduled basis to ensure all materials and functionality continue to meet our standards of quality .
And , as the demand for reusable products increases , we ’ ve had to adapt to ensure our materials can withstand the test of time . Not only that , but with our sustainability initiatives , we are constantly pushing our ability to create products made with the highest-quality and eco-friendly materials .
ESG and sustainability are at the forefront of business today — with customers and investors both demanding of them . How have these standards made you rethink or change the way you do business ? From products , to packaging , to people , our commitment to sustainability continues to strengthen our decisions in design and manufacturing . We ’ ve always been dedicated to protecting the environment as best we
62 hotelsmag . com May 2023