Industry Insights
Manufacturers Invest in Technology Transformation
New digital technologies, support and talent investment allow foodservice equipment and supplies manufacturers to meet the complex needs of today’s operators.
Steve Maahs
CEO, Alto-Shaam
FEDA Future of Distribution Council
Walking around the floor at The NAFEM Show, it’s invigorating to witness firsthand the continuous evolution of the foodservice equipment and supplies industry. Held every two years, this show serves as an important benchmark for our industry’s progress in advancing technology driven by customer needs. By voicing their growing need for efficiency and operational flexibility, operators have inspired manufacturers to innovate and integrate advanced digital technologies into their equipment.
One of the most significant advancements to emerge is remote management systems. These IoT technologies (at Alto-Shaam, it’s called ChefLinc™) provide foodservice operators complete control of their equipment, menus and business from wherever they are, increasing efficiency and consistency across multiple locations. Operators now have instant access to actionable data and insights that can help them improve kitchen efficiency and maximize profits. This includes not only detailed operational, cooking and cleaning data, but also information on the cooking state and hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) data regarding food safety.
Another advantage of digital technology is the next-level support it can offer our industry. Incorporating technological functionality into equipment provides operators with real-time diagnostics and alerts, which can minimize downtime by allowing service technicians to troubleshoot more quickly. Equipment can even improve over time, as cloud technology automatically pushes software updates to machines, eliminating the need for disruptive manual downloads and ensuring the equipment is always up to date.
As we continue to develop technologically advanced equipment, we are driven to ensure new features meet real-world customer needs. Reliability remains a top priority, as equipment must be designed to provide consistent up-time and long-term performance.
After-sale support is equally critical, which is why manufacturers like Alto-Shaam invest in training authorized service providers to facilitate quick and effective repairs. For example, Alto-Shaam uses tools like TechSee to enable internal tech teams to troubleshoot alongside field technicians, delivering faster service resolutions. It’s an example of how our industry’s technological transformation is not limited to the equipment itself; it extends to systems that help customers seamlessly operate their business.
As manufacturers continue to innovate new foodservice equipment and supplies technologies, investment in talent is equally important. At Alto-Shaam, we have created development and skills expansion programs to grow our employees across the business. We encourage our teams to lean into their natural curiosity and embrace rapidly changing technologies.
By investing in technology, customer support and talent development, manufacturers can continue to position themselves to meet the evolving needs of foodservice operators.