May 2, 2005

SEFA Names Award Recipients

SEFA announced its latest awards winners during its Annual Partnership Conference, held last month in Tucson, Ariz.

SEFA presented its highest honor, Member of the Year, to Paramount Restaurant Supply, Warren, R.I. In presenting the award, the group cited Paramount’s sales strategy and its more than $5 million in new sales through SEFA in 2004.

Restaurant Depot, College Point, N.Y., received the Expanding Horizons Award. The company grew its sales through SEFA by $4 million in 2004 and plans to open nine new stores in 2005.

Indianapolis-based C&T Design received the Pacesetter Award, which honors a firm for its visionary leadership and the ability to identify and successfully pursue new opportunities.

SEFA presented Smith & Greene, Seattle, with the Soaring to New Heights Award. The award, which recognizes a dealer that “continually raises the bar to reach great expectations,” was presented to Smith & Greene for its 29% growth in sales through SEFA in 2004.

Great Lakes Hotel Supply, Detroit, won the Keen Vision and Sharp Focus Award, which honors a dealer for its ability to perceive market trends quickly. The dealer posted a 34% increase in sales through SEFA in 2004.

Action Sales, Monterey Park, Calif., won the Trailblazer Award for its successful focus on specific markets and 38% increase in SEFA sales volume in 2004.

The Journey Award is presented to the SEFA member that puts the highest percentage of its total sales through SEFA suppliers. Muckenthaler, Emporia, Kan., received the award with more than 80% of its 2004 volume going through SEFA.

The “Making a Case” for SEFA Support Award went to Amfab, Montclair, Calif., which routed 65% of its 2004 sales through SEFA.

The Great Start Award, which honors a new SEFA member, went to Johnson-Lancaster, Safety Harbor, Fla.

The Corporate Cowboy Award, which honors an individual who is always ready to address new challenges, went to Mike Donohoe of Reinhart Foodservice, LaCrosse, Wis.

SEFA’s President’s Club designation recognizes leadership in SEFA and the industry as a whole, sales growth and support of SEFA programs. This year’s honorees are Franke Worldwide, Shamrock Foods, Premiere Restaurant Equipment and Manning Bros.

SEFA’s Circle of Excellence “honors excellence and growth” with SEFA. Ashland Equipment, Dixie Store Fixtures, Eastern Bakers and Trident Foodservice Equipment were recognized with this honor.

In addition to honoring its distributor members, SEFA also presented awards to its suppliers.

The Group’s Supplier of the Year is True Foodservice Equipment. Carlisle FoodService Products received the Outstanding Supplier for Supplies Award, while Frymaster won the Outstanding Supplier for Equipment Award.

Four manufacturers received 2004 market leader awards: American Metalcraft won the Innovation Award; Waring Products received the Growth Award; Globe Food Equipment, the Market Penetration Award; and The Blodgett Cos., the Passion Award.

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