Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1037828
Summer 2018 61 As foodservice reaches into new locations, operators must bring the kitchen along with them. For many, one key piece of equipment is the ice machine. Kevin Clark, president of Scotsman Ice, a longtime manufacturer of ice-making equipment, believes ice is not simply a way to keep drinks cold, but an integral part of the beverage experi- ence for increasingly discerning consumers. "Our machines make an ingredient, ice, so we want it to be the best it can be," he says. Purity is paramount. A cloudy ice cube is indica- tive of contaminants that can alter a drink's flavor. Producing clear-looking ice on Day 1 is expected of any machine, but Clark says his company strives to deliver the same quality on Day 1,000. The company's machines use a grid-style evapo- rator that prevents sediment build up and it's working with suppliers to produce Scotsman Ice- branded filters that will improve sanitation. At the same time, it's developing features such as one- touch cleaning cycles to enhance preventative maintenance and extend the life of its machines. "The easier it is to clean, the more likely it will be cleaned," Clark says. Clear Focus Advancements such as one-touch cleaning are being driven by the consumer and foodser- vice operator, but Scotsman is working on other improvements that touch the entire channel. Historically, the ice machine business has been a seasonal market. The bulk of equipment orders are placed in the summer months when there is a greater demand for cold drinks and the increased strain on older ice machines leads to breakdowns and replacements. In the past, the company man- aged the ebb and flow by varying its production rates to match seasonal demand, however, that often led to protracted lead times during the slow- er periods of the year. When Clark took over as president of the Illinois-based company three-and-a-half years ago, shortening lead times and order delivery KEVIN CLARK Scotsman Ice "As a company in the Ali Group organization, we have the latitude to take a longer view, in terms of customer support, and not react to short-term demands." By Tim O'Connor, Associate Editor tim@feda.com