Vangen

Vangen: Hot Wheels for Hot Meals

Moffat launches versatile meals on wheels system

Moffat's revolutionary meals on wheels system, Vangen, allows caterers to either regenerate or hold cooked meals in motor vehicles 'en route'. The system is based around a modified version of Moffat's established CR range of electric regen ovens. The company says the system's versatility and reliability has the potential to set new standards of food quality and customer satisfaction in this increasingly important sector.

"Being an electric system means it's very safe, easy to operate and reliable," says Gary Allen, sales director. "Not only is it totally in line with the market's current needs, it's also a flexible option. For example, as well as being able to both hold and regen hot food, it can be adapted to a variety of vehicles and is equally suited to cook chill or hotline."

Vangen comprises the oven, which runs off a specially designed inverter, the vehicle (as specified by the client) and special trays that hold the food safely, with no spills. The trays, like the ovens, are bespoke designs, built to match the client's specifications. The vans might also have a fridge and freezer for transporting cold desserts and frozen meals for recipients who want to heat up their own meals later in the day.

Vangen takes to the road in Monmouthshire

Moffat developed the Vangen concept in conjunction with Monmouthshire Community Meals Service, whose manager Pauline Batty says: "We have been using Moffat CR ovens here as a contingency back-up for many years and know how reliable and efficient they are. It seemed a logical step to incorporate them into our new fleet. We contacted Moffat with the brief that the new system had to be cheaper to run than its predecessor and that there could be absolutely no compromise on the quality of the food and service we deliver."

The modified CR ovens sits at the back of Monmouthshire Community Meals Service's Ford Connect vans and the meals are wheeled into the oven on a trolley. The ovens are switched on as the driver sets out to the furthest point in the delivery run, so the meals will be perfectly regenerated and ready to be delivered on arrival. The oven then holds the food at a controlled temperature throughout the rest of the run. Because it is regenerating en route, the Moffat system allows one vehicle to serve more customers over a longer period of time, saving staff time and costs.

"The staff love Vangen. It has made life so much easier for them. They no longer have to load outside as the racks simply slot straight into the oven. It has saved time and is a much more efficient way of working," said Batty. "Plus we don't have to worry about gas cylinders anymore."

Gary Allen adds: "Despite being a bespoke build, Vangen is very competitively priced, while its flexibility and cost savings deliver an excellent return on investment."

VANGEN - KEY FEATURES