This past weekend, Singer Equipment Co. was honored as Associate Member of the Year by the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association. Singer received the award at the association’s annual membership meeting and awards gala on November 7 in Harrisburg. The award was based on significant achievements and support of the industry at the chapter, state and national…

In June 2011, Foodservice Equipment Reports will publish its first ranking of the industry’s largest equipment and supplies dealerships. You may ask why, or ask why it has taken us so long. After all, next year will be our 15th year of publishing FER. I’ll answer the latter question first. While we have always sent…

Dealers should be hearing updates from equipment manufacturers about enhanced testing and new verification requirements for equipment wearing the Energy Star label. New rules go into effect Jan. 1. For the full story, check FER‘s homepage at

Rodney “Rod” James Herrington, CFSP, eastern region sales manager for Structural Concepts Corp., died Oct. 31 at age 51 after a three-year battle with leukemia. Herrington was in the foodservice equipment industry for more than 25 years; his career spanned posts at Kolpak, Leggett & Platt and Thermo-Kool before joining Structural Concepts in 2005. He is…

Frank D. Stella, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Detroit-based F.D. Stella Products Co., passed away Oct. 3 at age 91. In addition to his eponymously named E&S dealership, he was also the chairman and CEO of Stella Int’l., a New York consulting, joint-venture and importing firm. A longtime member of the Foodservice Equipment Distributors…

With The NAFEM Show just three months away, Feb 10-12 in Orlando, Fla., we want to update you on what is happening not only in the exhibit halls but on the days leading up to the show. CFSP Overview & Exams: An overview of the Certified Foodservice Professional Program is offered Wednesday, Feb. 9. The…

Bill Byrne is the new chief operating officer at Kittredge, one of the largest dealerships in New England. Byrne has three decades’ experience in the E&S industry. His resume includes posts at Edward Don and manufacturers including Blodgett, Hobart and Southbend. For the past 14 years, he headed up the dealer buying group, The EDI…

A new emphasis on growing key trade segments at Cres Cor is reflected in some recent changes to the Mentor, Ohio, manufacturer’s domestic sales and marketing groups. In his new post as business development manager for educational sales, Jim Miller will focus on major schools and colleges as well as domestic consultants. Heather Baggott Stewart…

We apologize that many of you received two copies of FER Dealer Report two weeks ago. We launched our new website in June and for some reason—we think we know what it was—the list-serve program had a hiccup. Again, sorry. 

Allied Buying Corp.’s fall conference in Lombard, Ill., honored manufacturers for extraordinary contributions to the group. Supplier awards were determined by ABC dealers for quality of people, products, service level, order accuracy, warranty and return policies, and, of course, the companies’ general enthusiasm and support of the buying group. ABC’s 2010 Suppliers of the Year…