Quality and sustainability across the production chain, reduction of costs, and digitisation. These are mantras that go across the sectors and apply to the entire hospitality industry. From the cup of coffee to the machine that washes it.

“Trends for 2023 in the Netherlands? We continue to see a rise in popularity of coffee to go. A high-quality specialty coffee is being offered at more and more locations with low traffic, like barbershops and boutique hotels. Then, socially responsible coffee to ensure that farmers get their fair share, milk alternatives that are less harmful for the environment and the gradual disappearance of single-use cups. Also, new ways to brew cold coffee. Where cold drip brewing used to be the standard we foresee a rise in immersion brewing as well as Nitro brew solutions,” says Martijn Oostrom, marketing manager of the Dutch company Bravilor, who, in addition to the traditional markets of Scandinavia and Germany, is seeing growth in the UK and the USA.

The sector is currently defined by sustainability (“It used to be important. Nowadays it’s absolutely imperative. With our first refurbishment programme for the Norwegian market we are strengthening our own sustainability ambitions”); by convenience (which “will prove to be an essential element of every product. Convenience of installing new products, as well as personalising beverages”); and finally connectivity and access to data (“we’re noticing steep learning curves at resellers who are using connectivity. They’re analysing the data and learning where to improve and adapt their organization to operate more efficiently”).

One of the most sought-after items is the fully automatic bean-to-cup machine, which customers value and appreciate because of the extraordinary in-cup quality of the espresso beverages and the fresh milk option for the coffee lover that wants nothing but the best. “I also love how easy it is to clean and the low level of preventive maintenance required.”

Art Huisjes, international sales manager for the Dutch company Rendisk, which belongs to the ALI Group, highlights the fact that delivery times are longer than average, and manufacturers have to deal with this: “But also for the end-users, projects are running out of time as construction work is delayed and therefore more difficult to plan. Flexibility on many levels is required.” The markets its serves include hospitals, large airline catering companies, hotels and resorts, company restaurants and government organisations.

The fastest-growing segments of the Dutch market in 2023 will be convenience, simplicity, health and sustainability. “Sustainability applies not only to equipment, but also to what is on the menu. As for convenience, our customers want a full-support solution.”

The company has embraced a green approach: “We manufacture and supply logistics systems for everything in and around the professional dishwashing areas, and with perfect solutions in the growing amounts of organic kitchen waste is being generated. A process in which waste is no longer a residual product but something valuable. Just think of a fertilizer, compost or biogas.”