Peros has recently helped Imperial College, London move towards Fairtrade University status.  Having won an exclusive three-year supply contract, Peros is not only offering its full range of Cafédirect and other Fairtrade products, but also providing new equipment, assisting in re-branding and delivering barista training throughout the College’s twelve coffee outlets and hospitality areas. 

Imperial College has the largest operational estate of any university institution in the country, including seven London campuses and two others in Surrey and Kent, and over 12,000 full-time students.  In common with a growing number of universities, colleges and educational establishments, Imperial College was facing increasing pressure from students, staff and visitors alike to introduce Fairtrade products into their coffee outlets.

Head of Catering at Imperial College, Jane Neary explains.  “Until recently, our coffee outlets had offered only a small range of Fairtrade products, but the clear message from our customers was that they wanted a totally Fairtrade and ethically traded offering.  We, as a management team, could also see the benefits of moving towards Fairtrade University Status in helping Imperial College meet its Corporate Social Responsibilities.  We therefore invited tenders for a three-year contract to meet our Fairtrade objectives – a process in which Peros were successful.  This was not only based on the quality and ethical standards of their coffee – the Cafédirect Gold Standard goes beyond the minimum standards laid down by Fairtrade – but also on the added-value and passion which they have brought to the contract.”

In addition to its twelve coffee-shop outlets serving staff and students, Imperial College has a number of hospitality facilities used for hosting international events and conferences.  To meet their needs Peros is supplying the full range of Cafédirect, Teadirect and Cocodirect products – all bearing the Cafédirect Gold Standard.  Peros is also supporting a re-branding exercise throughout the coffee-shop outlets, including new menus, disposables, merchandising materials and POS equipment designed to convey the Cafédirect benefits message and the College’s new statement on Fairtrade policy.

Peros has also supplied new coffee making equipment, including a number of Bravilor B20 bulk-brew coffee systems for the hospitality suites, each capable of producing 20 litres of filter coffee.  Traditional espresso machines were required for some of the coffee shop outlets and Peros supplied six La Spaziale machines to meet this need.  For other outlets, bean-to-cup equipment was specified for which Peros have supplied a number of La Cimbali machines.  To ensure that Imperial College gets the most out of the traditional espresso machines, and offers its customers the best possible cup of coffee, Peros arranged an ongoing training programme across the three years of the contract, to ensure all operators reach and maintain Certified Barista standards.

Peros is also offering a range of Fairtrade and ethically traded foods, snacks, juices and water.

To ensure that the contract represents a “total experience” for Imperial College’s customers, Peros is also assisting in the development of loyalty and incentive schemes.