Dates and locations have been announced and registration is open for fall classes on AutoQuotes 360, the latest and most complete version of the full-featured electronic database for the foodservice equipment and supply industry. The program, sponsored by the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry, offers both basic and advanced classes. Laptops are available…

Jacqui Gustafson has been promoted to v.p.-marketing for Carlisle FoodService Products. The company veteran previously coordinated global healthcare marketing as v.p.-healthcare marketing for Carlisle, and prior to that, served as v.p.-marketing for Dinex Co., a Carlisle brand. In addition, Brian Hutton has been promoted to director-business development at the Oklahoma City company; the former director…

It’s full steam ahead for R.W. Smith & Co. when it comes to technology. The San Diego dealer’s Design/Build division has become one of the first kitchen-equipment design and contracting firms to provide in-house Building Image Modeling services. The company is transitioning all of its design and construction processes to B.I.M., which enables modeling and…

Jim Baxter has been named v.p. sales and marketing for Lang Manufacturing; he is responsible for overseeing Lang’s day-to-day operations and will lead its marketing efforts. A 17-year industry veteran, Baxter was recently with Southbend as director of sales for the Midwest and with The Middleby Corp.’s national accounts team. He previously worked with Lincoln as…

Just a month after naming Timothy Palmer to head up its eastern region, Focus Foodservice has hired Warren C. Manzer as national sales manager-West. Manzer brings more than a dozen years’ experience at Panasonic in the commercial foodservice and hospitality industries, as well as extensive experience in business development, specification and purchasing. He will concentrate…

The Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry is making attendance a click away for its annual conference next month. “The New Road Back: How Reps and Manufacturers are Navigating the New Economy” doesn’t require registrants to fly or drive to the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, though. MAFSI is staking its claim…

Tomorrow (Aug. 4), we hold our annual President’s Preview E&S Market Forecast. I don’t need to tell you it’s been an excruciating two or three years for the equipment and supplies market. To put numbers on the pain, we estimate the market at the manufacturer level lost $1.9 billion (that’s billion with a “B”) in…

At least two state legislatures are mulling bills threatening dealers’ and consultants’ ability to practice interior design. The Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association opposes the bills, stating that they would prevent FEDA members from bidding or working on state contracts by creating a restrictive occupational licensing law. FEDA and the Foodservice Consultants Society Int’l. have joined…

Chef Saver, the mascot at Schweppe Inc., is getting a new moniker. The Lombard, Ill., dealer has opened up a naming contest to update the inanimate green bird’s name. “I like the mascot,” said company Pres. Jeff Schweppe. “It’s just the name that needs some freshening.” Unacceptable names include clichés such “Crackers,” anything gender-specific, or…