2008 Best in Class Awards
Our readers weigh in as to who is the best of the best in nearly 60 product categories.
By the Editors -- Foodservice Equipment and Supplies, 10/1/2008
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That's because in the foodservice industry the factories considered best in class have earned a reputation for performing at the highest levels and, in doing so, have a track record for consistently supporting all of their customers – from specifying consultant to distributor to operator and every point in between.
With that in mind, we at FE&S proudly present our 2008 Best in Class study. Over the following pages you will have a chance to see which factories our dealer, broadliner, consultant and operator readers have singled out as being the benchmark providers for their specific product categories.
That's because, in the opinion of our readers, these companies excel in such areas as product quality, service and support, and inventory. Just as importantly, our readers feel these companies also have exhibited a solid understanding of the foodservice industry and remain very responsive in meeting the needs of the distribution channel.
Overall Best in Class by Category
| Heavy Equipment | Light Equipment | Smallwares | Tabletop |
| 1. Hobart | Star/Holman | Cambro | Libbey/Syracuse/ World |
| Dealers | |||
| Heavy Equipment | Light Equipment | Smallwares | Tabletop |
| 1. True | Tie: Hatco & Star/ | Vollrath | Libbey/Syracuse/ Holman World |
| Consultants | |||
| Heavy Equipment | Light Equipment | Smallwares | Tabletop |
| 1. Hobart | Hatco | ||
| Broadliners | |||
| Heavy Equipment | Light Equipment | Smallwares | Tabletop |
| 1. True | No winner | Vollrath | Libbey/Syracuse/ declared World |
| Operators | |||
| Heavy Equipment | Light Equipment | Smallwares | Tabletop |
| 1. Hobart | Hobart | Cambro | Libbey/Syracuse/ World |
Product Manufacturers - Overall Best in Class
| Heavy Equipment | First |
| Blast Chillers | Traulsen |
| Braising Pans/Tilting Skillets | Groen |
| Broilers | Vulcan-Hart |
| Chef Counters, Prefab | Delfield |
| Combination Ovens | Rational |
| Convection Ovens | Blodgett |
| Conveyor Ovens | Lincoln |
| Cook & Hold Ovens | Alto-Shaam |
| Cooking Suites | Montague |
| Custom Stainless Fab | Advance Tabco |
| Deck Ovens | Blodgett |
| Dishwashers/Warewashers | Hobart |
| Fryers | Frymaster |
| Icemakers | Manitowoc |
| Mixers (12 Qt. & Larger) | Hobart |
| Mobile Heated Cabinets | Cres Cor |
| Ranges | Vulcan-Hart |
| Refrigerated Prep Tables | True |
| Rotisseries | Alto-Shaam |
| Steam-Jacketed Kettles | Groen |
| Steamers | Cleveland |
| Upright Reach-In Refrigeration | True |
| Ventilation Systems | Captive-Aire |
| Walk-In Refrigeration | Kolpak |
| Light Equipment | First |
| Beverage Blenders | Waring/Cuisinart |
| Coffee Brewers | Bunn-O-Matic |
| Conveyor Toasters | Hatco |
| Countertop Charbroilers | Star/Holman |
| Countertop Griddles | Star/Holman |
| Countertop Ovens | Bakers Pride |
| Disposers | InSinkErator |
| Drawer Warmers | Hatco |
| Electric Food Processors | Robot Coupe |
| Electric Slicers | Hobart |
| Food Shields | Brass Smith |
| Heat Lamps | Hatco |
| Hot Dog Equipment | Star/Holman |
| Induction Cooktops | Vollrath |
| Manual Food Choppers/Slicers | NEMCO |
| Microwave Ovens | Amana |
| Parts & Accessories | FMP |
| Pulpers | Hobart |
| Scales | Edlund |
| Self-Leveling Dispensers | Lakeside |
| Serving Carts | Lakeside |
| Shelving | Metro (InterMetro Industries) |
| Sinks, Prefab | Advance Tabco |
| Underbar Equipment | Perlick |
| Worktables, Prefab | Advance Tabco |
| Smallwares | First |
| Cookware | Vollrath |
| Cutlery | Dexter Russell |
| Storage Containers | Cambro |
| Thermometers & Sensors | Taylor |
| Tabletop | First |
| Dinnerware/Chinaware | Libbey/Syracuse/World |
| Flatware | Libbey/Syracuse/World |
| Glassware | Libbey/Syracuse/World |
Dealers - Best in Class
| Heavy Equipment | First |
| Blast Chillers | Traulsen |
| Braising Pans/Tilting Skillets | Groen |
| Broilers | Vulcan-Hart |
| Chef Counters, Prefab | Randell |
| Combination Ovens | Rational |
| Convection Ovens | Blodgett |
| Conveyor Ovens | Lincoln |
| Cook & Hold Ovens | Alto-Shaam |
| Cooking Suites | Tie: Montague & Vulcan-Hart |
| Custom Stainless Fab | Advance Tabco |
| Deck Ovens | Blodgett |
| Dishwashers/Warewashers | Hobart |
| Fryers | Pitco |
| Icemakers | Manitowoc |
| Mixers (12 Qt. & Larger) | Hobart |
| Mobile Heated Cabinets | Cres Cor |
| Ranges | Vulcan-Hart |
| Refrigerated Prep Tables | True |
| Rotisseries | Alto-Shaam |
| Steam-Jacketed Kettles | Groen |
| Steamers | Cleveland |
| Upright Reach-In Refrigeration | True |
| Ventilation Systems | Captive-Aire |
| Walk-In Refrigeration | Kolpak |
| Light Equipment | First |
| Beverage Blenders | Waring/Cuisinart |
| Coffee Brewers | Bunn-O-Matic |
| Conveyor Toasters | Hatco |
| Countertop Charbroilers | Star/Holman |
| Countertop Griddles | Star/Holman |
| Countertop Ovens | Cadco |
| Disposers | InSinkErator |
| Drawer Warmers | Hatco |
| Electric Food Processors | Robot Coupe |
| Electric Slicers | Hobart |
| Food Shields | Brass Smtih |
| Heat Lamps | Hatco |
| Hot Dog Equipment | Star/Holman |
| Induction Cooktops | Vollrath |
| Manual Food Choppers/Slicers | NEMCO |
| Microwave Ovens | Amana |
| Parts & Accessories | FMP |
| Pulpers | Hobart |
| Scales | Edlund |
| Self-Leveling Dispensers | Lakeside |
| Serving Carts | Lakeside |
| Shelving | Metro (InterMetro Industries) |
| Sinks, Prefab | Advance Tabco |
| Underbar Equipment | Perlick |
| Worktables, Prefab | Advance Tabco |
| Smallwares | First |
| Cookware | Vollrath |
| Cutlery | Dexter Russell |
| Storage Containers | Cambro |
| Thermometers & Sensors | Taylor |
| Tabletop | First |
| Dinnerware/Chinaware | Libbey/Syracuse/World |
| Flatware | Walco |
| Glassware | Libbey/Syracuse/World |
Consultants - Best in Class
| Heavy Equipment | First |
| Blast Chillers | Traulsen |
| Braising Pans/Tilting Skillets | Cleveland |
| Broilers | Vulcan-Hart |
| Chef Counters, Prefab | Delfield |
| Combination Ovens | Rational |
| Convection Ovens | Blodgett |
| Conveyor Ovens | Lincoln |
| Cook & Hold Ovens | Alto-Shaam |
| Cooking Suites | Montague |
| Custom Stainless Fab | Advance Tabco |
| Deck Ovens | Blodgett |
| Dishwashers/Warewashers | Hobart |
| Fryers | Frymaster |
| Icemakers | Manitowoc |
| Mixers (12 Qt. & Larger) | Hobart |
| Mobile Heated Cabinets | Cres Cor |
| Ranges | Vulcan-Hart |
| Refrigerated Prep Tables | True |
| Rotisseries | Alto-Shaam |
| Steam-Jacketed Kettles | Cleveland |
| Steamers | Cleveland |
| Upright Reach-In Refrigeration | True |
| Ventilation Systems | Captive-Aire |
| Walk-In Refrigeration | Kolpak |
| Light Equipment | |
| Beverage Blenders | Hamilton Beach |
| Coffee Brewers | Bunn-O-Matic |
| Conveyor Toasters | Hatco |
| Countertop Charbroilers | Vulcan-Hart |
| Countertop Griddles | Star/Holman |
| Countertop Ovens | Bakers Pride |
| Disposers | Salvajor |
| Drawer Warmers | Hatco |
| Electric Food Processors | Robot Coupe |
| Electric Slicers | Hobart |
| Food Shields | Brass Smith |
| Heat Lamps | Hatco |
| Hot Dog Equipment | Star/Holman |
| Induction Cooktops | CookTek |
| Manual Food Choppers/Slicers | No winner declared |
| Microwave Ovens | Amana |
| Parts & Accessories | FMP |
| Pulpers | Hobart |
| Scales | Hobart |
| Self-Leveling Dispensers | Lakeside |
| Serving Carts | Lakeside |
| Shelving | Metro (InterMetro Industries) |
| Sinks, Prefab | Advance Tabco |
| Underbar Equipment | Perlick |
| Worktables, Prefab | Advance Tabco |
Broadliners - Best in Class
| Heavy Equipment | First |
| Blast Chillers | No winner declared |
| Braising Pans/Tilting Skillets | Groen |
| Broilers | Vulcan-Hart |
| Chef Counters, Prefab | Advance Tabco |
| Combination Ovens | Rational |
| Convection Ovens | Blodgett |
| Conveyor Ovens | Lincoln |
| Cook & Hold Ovens | Alto-Shaam |
| Cooking Suites | Vulcan-Hart |
| Custom Stainless Fab | Advance Tabco |
| Deck Ovens | Blodgett |
| Dishwashers/Warewashers | Hobart |
| Fryers | Frymaster |
| Icemakers | Manitowoc |
| Mixers (12 Qt. & Larger) | Hobart |
| Mobile Heated Cabinets | Alto-Shaam |
| Ranges | Vulcan-Hart |
| Refrigerated Prep Tables | True |
| Rotisseries | No winner declared |
| Steam-Jacketed Kettles | Tie: Cleveland & Groen |
| Steamers | Cleveland |
| Upright Reach-In Refrigeration | True |
| Ventilation Systems | Captive-Aire |
| Walk-In Refrigeration | No winner declared |
| Light Equipment | First |
| Beverage Blenders | Hamilton Beach |
| Coffee Brewers | Bunn-O-Matic |
| Conveyor Toasters | Star/Holman |
| Countertop Charbroilers | Star/Holman |
| Countertop Griddles | Star/Holman |
| Countertop Ovens | No winner declared |
| Disposers | InSinkErator |
| Drawer Warmers | No winner declared |
| Electric Food Processors | Robot Coupe |
| Electric Slicers | Hobart |
| Food Shields | No winner declared |
| Heat Lamps | Hatco |
| Hot Dog Equipment | Star/Holman |
| Induction Cooktops | Vollrath |
| Manual Food Choppers/Slicers | NEMCO |
| Microwave Ovens | Amana |
| Parts & Accessories | FMP |
| Pulpers | No winner declared |
| Scales | Edlund |
| Self-Leveling Dispensers | No winner declared |
| Serving Carts | Lakeside |
| Shelving | Metro (InterMetro Industries) |
| Sinks, Prefab | Advance Tabco |
| Underbar Equipment | No winner declared |
| Worktables, Prefab | Advance Tabco |
| Smallwares | First |
| Cookware | Vollrath |
| Cutlery | Dexter Russell |
| Storage Containers | Cambro |
| Thermometers & Sensors | Cooper-Atkins |
| Tabletop | First |
| Dinnerware/Chinaware | Libbey/Syracuse/World |
| Flatware | Libbey/Syracuse/World |
| Glassware | Libbey/Syracuse/World |
Foodservice Operators - Best in Class
| Heavy Equipment | First |
| Blast Chillers | No winner declared |
| Braising Pans/Tilting Skillets | Groen |
| Broilers | Wolf |
| Chef Counters, Prefab | No winner declared |
| Combination Ovens | Cleveland |
| Convection Ovens | Blodgett |
| Conveyor Ovens | Lincoln |
| Cook & Hold Ovens | Alto-Shaam |
| Cooking Suites | No winner declared |
| Custom Stainless Fab | Advance Tabco |
| Deck Ovens | Blodgett |
| Dishwashers/Warewashers | Hobart |
| Fryers | Frymaster |
| Icemakers | Manitowoc |
| Mixers (12 Qt. & Larger) | Hobart |
| Mobile Heated Cabinets | Alto-Shaam |
| Ranges | Vulcan-Hart |
| Refrigerated Prep Tables | True |
| Rotisseries | No winner declared |
| Steam-Jacketed Kettles | Groen |
| Steamers | Cleveland |
| Upright Reach-In Refrigeration | True |
| Ventilation Systems | Captive-Aire |
| Walk-In Refrigeration | Kolpak |
| Light Equipment | First |
| Beverage Blenders | VitaMix |
| Coffee Brewers | Bunn-O-Matic |
| Conveyor Toasters | Hatco |
| Countertop Charbroilers | No winner declared |
| Countertop Griddles | Vulcan-Hart |
| Countertop Ovens | Blodgett |
| Disposers | InSinkErator |
| Drawer Warmers | Hatco |
| Electric Food Processors | Robot Coupe |
| Electric Slicers | Hobart |
| Food Shields | No winner declared |
| Heat Lamps | Hatco |
| Hot Dog Equipment | Star/Holman |
| Induction Cooktops | No winner declared |
| Manual Food Choppers/Slicers | No winner declared |
| Microwave Ovens | Amana |
| Parts & Accessories | FMP |
| Pulpers | No winner declared |
| Scales | Edlund |
| Self-Leveling Dispensers | No winner declared |
| Serving Carts | Rubbermaid |
| Shelving | Metro (InterMetro Industries) |
| Sinks, Prefab | Advance Tabco |
| Underbar Equipment | Perlick |
| Worktables, Prefab | Tie: Advance Tabco & Eagle Group |
| Smallwares | First |
| Cookware | Vollrath |
| Cutlery | No winner declared |
| Storage Containers | Cambro |
| Thermometers & Sensors | Taylor |
| Tabletop | First |
| Dinnerware/Chinaware | Oneida/Buffalo |
| Flatware | Oneida/Buffalo |
| Glassware | Libbey/Syracuse/World |
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