I got up very early today to write my FER Dealer Report editorial, because I have to catch a plane this morning from Chicago to Birmingham, Ala., on my way to West Point, Miss. I fully intended to discuss the slow revival of the publicly funded spec-market segments. But after lining up all the research,…

Mary Ellen Drake has returned to the Homer Laughlin China Co. as the Newell, W.Va., firm’s western regional sales manager. Drake had served in the same capacity from 1993-2005, when she left to become a tabletop brand manager at a Southern California rep firm. Drake is responsible for landing many of HLC’s West Coast accounts,…

In case you missed FER Fortnightly last week, E&S sales surprisingly surged in the second quarter, according to the MAFSI Business Barometer and reports from the seven publicly reporting E&S companies that we follow. We say surprisingly because the first quarter saw some of the slowest E&S sales growth since the market recovered from the…

Middleby Marshall, now marking its 125th anniversary, is at the center of a new business intersection in Elgin, Ill. On Sept. 4, the city presented the Elgin-based foodservice equipment manufacturer with an honorary street sign, “Middleby Way,” which is now displayed on Toastmaster Drive. It is only the third such honorary street sign in the…

Michael Aguirre has joined Accelerated Commercial Products as vice president of sales-Americas. The industry veteran will report to Mary Nedved Potter, senior v.p.-sales and marketing, and lead ACP sales activities for North and South America and manage relations with U.S. buying groups. Those reporting to Aguirre include Tony Aguiar, regional sales manager; Todd Barr and…

Kelly Lee has joined The Middleby Corp. as senior v.p.-technical solutions and aftermarket services. Lee had been president of 3Wire Group, a national supplier of foodservice and beverage replacement parts, since 2010. He’ll be responsible for managing technical solutions to enhance and strengthen aftermarket support and integrating parts distribution and service functions for the Elgin,…

Tondelli Joins FMP: Industry veteran Phil Tondelli has been appointed director business development at Franklin Machine Products. Tondelli’s resume in the foodservice E&S industry spans more than 25 years and includes sales, marketing and national account management positions with Edward Don, Keating, Hatco, Prince Castle, Ready Access and R.F. Technologies. At FMP, he will be…

How does a dealer protect his margins and hold the line on pricing when faced with the challenge of selling value to price-sensitive customers? It’s a question that the Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association has been hearing quite a bit, leading FEDA to host a members-only webinar next month on the topic. “Crush Price Objections,” slated…

Under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, employers are required to notify employees by Oct. 1 how to obtain healthcare coverage in 2014. Employers must begin notifying employees about the existence of state healthcare “exchanges” that will become the marketplace for many individuals and small businesses to buy insurance. The same notice must tell employees they…

Thinking ahead? If you already know you and your colleagues will be heading to Chicago next May to attend the 2014 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show and International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event, you can save 60% on your registration. The NRA has opened up early-bird online-only discount pricing through Nov. 15. Attendees for…