E&S Price Growth Rose Moderately During the Past 12 Month, Reports AutoQuotes

Foodservice equipment and supplies manufacturers raised prices an average 3.1% during the 12 months ended June 30, up from an only 2.1% increase the previous year, according to the latest data from AutoQuotes Inc. But a jump in materials prices could change the E&S pricing environment in the coming year (see next story). The new numbers were presented by Publisher Robin Ashton during Foodservice Equipment Reports’ annual President’s Preview E&S Market Forecast, held July 29 at the Westin O’Hare, Rosemont, Ill.

The AutoQuotes data, based on list-price information for more than 450,000 products from more than 500 E&S manufacturers, show the median increase for 2013 to 2014 was 2.9%, compared with an increase of 2.4% for the previous 12-month period.

The number of manufacturers raising prices is also on the rise: 146 manufacturers posted price increases with AutoQuotes in January this year, the highest number since 2008. Only 112 suppliers increased prices in January last year.

Among the product categories, tabletop, ice machines, heated holding equipment and prep equipment had the largest average increases. The increases for these categories drove up the average, as only seven of 13 categories showed higher increases this year vs. last. Many product categories had increases in the 1%-2.5% range.

The complete historical data and analysis of E&S pricing trends is available as part of FER‘s 2015 E&S Market Forecast package. It can be purchased for $1,295. For information, email Robin Ashton at rashton@fermag.com.  

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