Hopkins Employee Apprentice of the Year

Hopkins employee, Gareth Jones, has been awarded the title “Foundation Apprentice of the Year”. 24 year old Gareth secured the accolade from Leeds City College, having just completed his 2nd year studying the foundation stage of his City & Guilds Certificate of Engineering in Fabrication and Welding.

The Leeds City College Further Education Awards ceremony was established in 2009 to recognise the achievements of the College’s students, rewarding those which have shown exceptional talent those and set a shining example to their peers.

Victoria Hopkins says “We are immensely proud of Gareth success. He has been employed here as an apprentice for the past two and a half years, and during that time he has worked really hard. He is such a committed and enthusiastic member of the team. I am absolutely delighted for him. We are committed to supporting apprenticeships. We currently employee three apprentices on engineering courses and we train them to reach a high level of competency and performance to ensure our business has the practical skills required for the future.”

Gareth is continuing his apprenticeship with the company and will now start the Advanced Level qualification to build on his success.

22/07/2010 | Enlarge Image

Vacancies

Hopkins currently have the following vacancies.

Hopkins are looking to recruit a skilled Sheet Metal Worker, Fabricator, Tig and Mig Welder. Working mainly with Stainless Steel and manufacturing catering equipment. 

Call Mick Scholey for more details on 0113 2577065    

 

Hopkins are also looking for Gas Engineers holding Comcat 1 -5 to work on a range of catering equipment including Hopkins fish frying ranges.  

Call Paul Barrett on 0113 2577057

 

08/06/2010 | Enlarge Image

Fry Monthly Magazine

 

April's copy of Fry Magazine monthly includes a glowing article on Hopkins Catering!

Excerpts of the artcle about Carters in Eastbourne;

"When I was looking for a range a lot of companies weren't interested as I didnt have planning permission, but Hopkins really wanted to help me get up and running and did everything they could to help me achieve planning permission," Andrew explains.

"I'm just so greatful to Hopkins, who couldnt have helped me more"

If you havent got your copy subscribe on their website -

 http://www.fry-online.co.uk/magazine.php

 

 

21/04/2010 | Enlarge Image

Cash for Old Machines

 

Have you got an old chipper or peeler that is no longer at its best?  

If you live in the Yorkshire or North East area call the service department on 0113 257 7934 and ask for Andrew. 

We can offer part exchange on one of our new machines or in some circumstances cash for your machine depending on the model.

 

14/01/2010 | Enlarge Image

The Lady at the Lathe

Hopkins is delighted to announce the recruitment of its first female apprentice engineer in the company’s 52 year history.

Victoria Hopkins, said: “Esther approached Hopkins in the hope of securing an apprenticeship placement, and I invited her to spend a few days here to see how she would get on. When I first met her she was really keen and focused on her future in engineering and I was also very impressed with her attitude. That’s a determination you don’t always find so we had no hesitation in offering her employment.

Esther was initially attracted to a career in engineering as she always had a passion for science, studying Physics, Biology and Chemistry at A-Level. She says “After my exams I travelled for 6 months and when I came back I thought ‘what am I going to do with myself’. I had a discussion with my friend and it was he who suggested it. The more I thought about it the more it made sense. Mechanical Engineering appealed the most and I like the idea that man has applied the science of nature to create something that actually works.

“During her apprenticeship Esther will now continue to spend two days at college and the rest on-site. She will be studying her Performing Engineering Qualification, NVQ Level 3 and BTEC National Certificate. Throughout this process she will be regularly monitored, assessed and mentored. She will be deployed on a number of projects that will see her engaged in all areas of the business.

Hopkins is a family run business, established in 1957 and is well known throughout the Fish & Chip market for manufacturing quality products for the outlets. Whilst this is still a major part of the business, the company has over the years diversified into many different areas. It still manufactures fish frying ranges, butt they also design, supply and install kitchens for any commercial catering facility including takeaways, restaurants, schools, nursing homes – to name a few. They also service, repair and maintain equipment through their fleet of certified gas, electrical and refrigeration engineers. More recently, Hopkins has taken a new direction and is involved in a number of different projects especially those providing environmental engineering solutions.

So there will be plenty to keep Esther occupied whilst she serves her apprenticeship. Victoria Hopkins says “"There is nothing about this job that a woman cannot do as long as you are committed and have the right attitude. Anyone can succeed, no matter whether you are male or female. Esther is a wonderful role model for other young women considering entering the profession through the apprenticeship route and I look forward to working with her and I wish her all the very best for the future”  

10/12/2009 | Enlarge Image

Mega Inflatables

Hopkins are now stocking mega inflatables!

Megaflatables are "grab attention" marketing and entertainment tools aimed at businesses that want to get noticed, an engaging alternative to traditional forms of marketing AND WILL GET YOU RESULTS QUICK!

How many times have you been at a gig or in a retail park and looked for somewhere to eat or drink especially when stood in a big crowd.

We can now give caterers and fast food vendors a real advantage over there competitors by using our giant food and drink beacons to show there location from over 500yds away.

Standing 20ft tall with a replica food or drink design fitted to the top, we supply some really attractive and realistic designs.

To see the complete range Click here.

 

06/10/2009 | Enlarge Image

T. Quality Southern Fast Food Exhibition

The largest fish, chip and fast food show to come to the South of England!

 

The show will be held on the 4th October 2009 at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre. The venue is easily accessible just off the M3.

Hopkins Catering will be taking along their High Efficiency range along with their chipper and peeler. Come take a look to find out about our exclusive special offers!

There is no need for advance tickets, just register on the day.

To view venue details Click here,

 

22/09/2009 | Enlarge Image

Hopkins in the News

Victoria Hopkins was interviewed by the Yorkshire Evening Post for an article which appeared on 30th January.

The article comments:

“THE UK manufacturing sector may be receiving a battering – but one Leeds family firm with a special interest in the fish and chip trade is swimming against the tide.

Growing concerns about fuel consumption in the fast food industry prompted market-leading fish frying range manufacturer Hopkins Catering to develop an innovative "lean-burn" model which saves 60 per cent on energy costs.

The new fryer is the latest in a developing range of products that have kept the 50 year old family firm ahead of the competition in the UK and Europe.”

Read the full article at the Yorkshire post.

06/02/2009 | Enlarge Image

Case Studies - GC Motors

Hopkins Cooling were recently asked to design, supply and install an air temperature control equipment for a new prestige car dealership in Harrogate and were happy to provide the best solution for the application.

With a 400 square metre showroom and numerous staff and customer occupants all year round, four Mitsubishi PLA-RP 11 kilowatt power inverter heat pump ceiling cassette systems were selected. This provided plenty of heating or cooling capacity whilst also minimising operating costs through the use of the inverter system, which uses only about a third of the electricity of conventional heating or cooling systems.

The owner of GC Motors Giles Castleton said : “This is the second time we have used Hopkins Cooling and the service we have had has been fantastic, there is always someone there to help when required and we could not be happier with the performance of the air conditioning equipment. I do not know what we would have done without the consistent pleasant temperature in our new showrooms over the recent cold spell!”

Heat pump air conditioning is the most energy efficient way of controlling indoor temperatures, eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling systems as both tasks are carried out by one unit. This also has the advantage of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

For all your air conditioning needs Please contact Matthew Hopkins on 0113 2577934.

22/01/2009 | Enlarge Image

Reconditioned Chippers and Peelers

Hopkins are now offering fully rebuilt chippers and peelers. Our machines are rebuilt to the highest possible standard. Probably the best rebuilds you can buy!

• The machines are fully stripped, sanded and painted before they are sold. They look just like new!
• We replace any components that need changing, including the motor if necessary.
• All peelers are fully relined for faster peeling time.
• Machines are run and tested before delivery including PAT testing.

Our machines are rebuilt by our own highly qualified and experience staff. Also for your piece of mind we offer a full 6 months parts and labour warranty to the UK mainland.

If you want to know about the machines we currently have in stock phone Andrew on 0113 257 7934.

Alternatively look at our special offers section of our online store!

16/01/2009 | Enlarge Image

Service Department offer Flue Cleaning Facility

Hopkins now offer a flue cleaning facility to compliment their all ready outstanding range service department.

Flue cleaning is essential to help prevent fires in extraction ductwork which is a common occurrence, causing millions of pounds in damage and insurance claims each year. Many insurance companies are aware of this and insist on at least annual cleaning by specialists, some offering a discount if it is done more often.

Although previously range servicing companies cleaned ductwork by scraping out grease that could be reached from access holes, meaning only 2-3 metres of grease was removed whereas a typical range has more like 12 metres of ductwork. Hopkins now have similar equipment to specialist companies however, meaning the whole system can be cleaned.

This system has been available since January 2008 and has already proved successful with many shops booking in flue cleaning alongside their annual range service.

To book your package or separate service or flue clean please contact Hopkins Service Department on 0113 257 7934.

12/12/2008 | Enlarge Image

Long Serving Employee Mourned

Fred Nugent, who worked as an engineer at Hopkins for 20 years, died recently at the age of 84 and will be sadly missed.

Fred worked in the chipper and peeler department at Hopkins from 1968-1988 and was born in Burley, Leeds in 1924. He worked as an engineer and because of his skilled profession, was excused from active service in the Second World War, serving instead with the Home Guard. He married his late wife Doreen, also from Leeds, in 1956. His son Gary, also works at Hopkins in the same department as his father.

When not at work, Fred was the man who 'lived and breathed' Rugby League. He spent more than 50 years at Stanningley Rugby League Club as a player, coach, committee member and president.

"He was a massive influence on a lot of people and commanded respect from everyone," said his son Gary. "It is not often you get somone who was a player, committee member and president of one club. He was someone to aspire to and everyone will miss him tremendously."

13/10/2008 | Enlarge Image