Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1037828
Summer 2018 11 As a tableware and serving supplies manu- facturer that deals mainly in small, non-powered products, American Metalcraft can respond to trends—such as operators' interest in foreign designs—much faster than cooking and electri- cal equipment makers, who must go through extensive engineering and testing on every new release. "For us to notice a trend and notice something cool and different, we bring it to market pretty quickly," says Rich Packer, COO and presi- dent. A few years ago, the company employed its fast development pace to introduce its own stain- less-steel version of a Balti dish, a tabletop bowl traditionally used for serving Indian cuisine. Many of this year's American Metalcraft prod- ucts are designed to address customers' needs. Space reductions in the kitchen are leading more operators to purchase induction cookers because they work faster and can be moved to wherever they are needed. But in making that investment, chefs are finding their existing cookware isn't opti- mized for induction heat. To help operators get the most out of their new equipment, American Metalcraft released a line of mini cookware with magnetic bases that are designed to transfer heat more efficiently on induction surfaces. The cat- egory is likely to thrive because, according to a 2017 Technavio study, the commercial induction cooktop market is expected to see a 7.1 percent compound annual growth rate from 2017 to 2021. American Metalcraft is already seeing that trend reach its customers. "As induction has gotten more and more popular, we've had people ask us to convert our minis to induction," Packer says. Another shift that excites Packer is the intro- duction of colors and new materials to American Metalcrafts' buffetware. In the past, the com- pany stuck with stainless steel for its buffet items because styles can change so often that a colored chafer can quickly become outdated. For buffet items meant to last many years, opera- tors run the risk of buying something that may go out of style before they get the full use out of the equipment. However, American Metalcraft believes it has hit on a look that will prove time- less: a copper cover chafer accented with wrought iron trim. "Then we took this additional leap with our new buffet servingware collection and introduced three vintage finishes in bronze, RICHARD PACKER American Metalcraft "We want to find funky, unique, different products to make it more exciting at the operator level." By Tim O'Connor, Associate Editor tim@feda.com