Let me just state it plainly: The just concluded NAFEM Show in Anaheim rates with the best I’ve attended. And I’ve been going to NAFEM since 1981. The optimism on the show floor was palpable. Everyone was upbeat. The quality of the attendance was unmatched. Every single key NAFEM Show demographic—dealers, consultants, commercial and noncommercial…

Last Thursday, as many in the foodservice industry browsed The NAFEM Show’s exhibits, the Federal Trade Commission sued to block Sysco Corp.’s proposed $3.5 billion acquisition of rival US Foods. The move sets the stage for a major court battle over a plan to combine the nation’s two largest food distributors. In a 3-2 vote, the FTC…

Richard Gentry has joined

Singer Equipment Co. has promoted Andrew Beauchamp to the newly created position of sales manager. Beauchamp will be responsible for the growth and development of the supply sales division, including all street sales and the dealer’s Wyomissing, Pa., and Bellmawr, N.J., stores. The company veteran formerly served as a store manager and district sales manager…

Rapids Foodservice Contract & Design Co. has hired Steve Grosshans as a new contract sales manager in their St. Paul, Minn., office. Grosshans, who joined Rapids earlier this month, brings 27 years of experience with Superior Products and US Foods in their Minnesota location. Rapids also has offices in Marion, Iowa; Earth City, Mo.; and…

FEDA’s 2015 Convention kicks off a month from today at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix. Among the many educational and networking opportunities at the March 25-29 event are two panel discussions. The first will be held during FEDA’s annual members’ meeting on Thursday morning, March 26. The breakfast meeting is…

Last month, Middleby Corp. acquired the assets of Marsal & Sons Inc., a Lindenhurst, N.Y., manufacturer of deck ovens. Founded in 1969, the company has annual revenues of approximately $5 million. “Marsal has an outstanding reputation for quality and innovation with a broad product offering of deck, hearth-bake and brick-fired ovens,” said Selim Bassoul, Middleby’s…