Manitowoc Foodservice Group Continues Asian Foodservice Growth
At recent trade expositions in China and throughout Asia, Manitowoc has welcomed large numbers of local operators, regional and global chains, distribution partners and service agents; all eager to learn more about how the world’s leading manufacturer of ice machines can meet their local needs for ice, beverage and other products. Consider recent trade expositions in Beijing and Guangzhou where expanded Manitowoc displays showcased ice, dispensing and beverage products. Local and regional customers attended the events in record numbers, eager to learn about the latest product innovations and company capabilities. The most recent event, the 14th Annual Guangzhou Hotel Supplies Exhibition was held December 14-16, 2007. Occupying over 160,000 square feet and supporting 2,500 exhibitors, the Chinese Export Commercial Trade Fair Pazhou Complex is one of the most expansive exhibition halls in the country. Manitowoc conducted it’s largest-ever distributor education and training event, welcoming representatives of more than 50 distributors across the region. Throughout the three day event, Manitowoc representatives and the regional distributors worked on mutual plans to expand high-quality installation, service and sales support to customers throughout the region. During the exposition, Manitowoc Foodservice welcomed hundreds of regional and global customers to its exhibit, demonstrating products, discussing the latest innovations, and enrolling participants for future training programs. New products shown in the booth included S-Series ice machines - the new SN series nugget ice machines and the SF series flake ice machines. Also featured were the MCR ice machines, manufactured at the Hangzhou facility. After the tradeshow, all 56 Manitowoc dealers in the general China market were invited to a Manitowoc sponsored conference that included an appreciation dinner and an award ceremony. Outstanding dealers were recognized in three categories – Special Contribution award, for the highest average sales over a three-year period; Long Cooperation award – given to dealers that have been associated with Manitowoc for more than eight years; and the Loyalty award for dealers that carry only Manitowoc ice machines. On location and beyond the exposition, Manitowoc continues working closely with its regional customers to meet their fast-growing requirements for additional ice dispensing and beverage equipment throughout China and the rest of Asia. Recently completed projects include major hotel and convention installations in Qingao, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing and other locations; chain restaurant projects for some of the world’s largest and best-known organizations, and a host of local installations. Manitowoc has also continued a torrid pace of training and support activities, including more service training programs, customer satisfaction surveys, translation of literature into a number of regional languages, and expansion of the company’s website with more product information. Manitowoc has the most extensive ice machine service network in industry in China. With a network of about 60 authorized service agents they are able to service all the cities and provinces in China except Tibet. Patrick Xi, the Foodservice Group director of sales and marketing for the Asia Pacific region adds, “In addition to the best dealer network in the general market, Manitowoc dominates global chain business in China with 100% ice machine share of both Yum and McDonalds. Manitowoc has also established a solid partnership with many of the premier hotel chains and consultants in the region, selecting us as the ‘Preferred Supplier’ for their kitchen equipment.” For more information on Manitowoc Foodservice Group visit: http://www.manitowocfsg.com |
When Manitowoc Foodservice opened its production facility in Hangzhou, China, it was among the first US-based manufacturers to bring full-scale manufacturing to the Asian region. Today, Manitowoc continues its leadership in Asia with more training, an expanded sales and service support network, and products built in the region and designed for the requirements of Asian markets.