This is Part Three and the last in this series where we’re sharing the insights we’ve gathered interviewing some of the Top Food Equipment Service executives in the industry.
In articles one and two, we went over attracting technicians in today’s competitive labor market, dealing with an ever-changing landscape and supply chain crisis.
We’re going to wrap up this series with different innovation strategies employed by Field Service leaders as they set out to grow in 2022 and move the whole industry forward.
Before we dive in, I’d like to thank all the contributors for their willingness to open up and share their wisdom with us:
Alright, let’s dig in!
Every executive we talked to, without fail, has their eyes set on getting back to (and exceeding) pre-COVID levels:
So then the question is, how do we do that? How do we collectively as an industry move ahead and recover lost ground?
Let’s go over some of the key initiatives taking place in the industry right now:
Business innovations take many forms. It can be new technology, new ways of processing data, new business models, or new processes, etc.
Here are some of the highlights from our conversations with these industry executives.
While supply chain issues are being most disruptive for manufacturers, some are using these trying times to develop new systems and components that make the industry less vulnerable in the future.
Dan Kaltenbaugh, Jr. gives us a sneak peek behind the scenes of what Welbilt got cooking on the innovation front:
The Internet of Things continues to impact Food Service Equipment that makes use of smart technology and facilitates what most executives agree is the next big thing in the industry: Predictive Maintenance.
Service agents are leveraging online platforms and finding collaborative ways to help each other with parts, fulfilling jobs, and keeping the industry moving:
Advancements in technology and data processing protocols will start creating business differentiation and potentially new products and services.
One of the things we noticed when talking to executives was a renewed focus on sales. Up until this point, demand has been so high that service agents could thrive by just taking orders whereas now it is becoming more proactive:
Anna shares how Repair 24 strategically targets accounts to predictably grow sales and increase revenue:
Jim Eason with SAM Service sets clear growth plans to generate revenue and help the business expand into new territories:
On top of going after new and more strategic accounts, businesses need to optimize their revenue per technician on the current jobs, which is one of the focus areas for Patrick Duffy:
Technology, data, parts sharing, remote technician support, expansion: all these business areas are part of a complicated puzzle. But what if the pieces could be rearranged to form a completely different picture?
It’s very clear: This industry is far from being in its final form.
Manufacturers, service agents, and cooperatives alike are all creatively moving the industry forward in a new and exciting way.
Will we come together and redefine how we attract technicians? Will data finally flow from equipment to technician to manufacturer and enable predictive maintenance? Will somebody effectively implement a pooled labor model? Will technicians attempt first to fix equipment over the phone before going on-site? Time will tell and we’ll be here for the ride.
I hope you found this article series valuable and maybe even helpful in your day-to-today operations. If you missed parts one and two, read them now to catch up.
We’re looking to publish more industry articles and research and I would love to hear your take on the ideas shared in this series and how you’re thinking about tackling the industry challenges and opportunities in 2022.
Send me an email to yassin.shaar@origobpo.com to have a chat and collaborate.
Sincerely, Yassin Shaar, Chief Growth Officer at Origo
For more information, visit the Origo website, or learn how Origo can help your operation by calling (832) 558-6661.
