With all the emphasis on white porcelain dinnerware for the table, it's nice to see a compromise of sorts in this design from Apilco called "Crescent Moon". This slight decoration (shown in gold, but obviously can be in virtually any color, I suppose) offers relief from the starkness of plain white, yet still does not overwhelm.

Apilco has made great strides of late and has returned to the style and decor leader of old. 

For more information on Apilco or to order a catalog, go to: sales@apilco-usa.com or call 203.254.2002

We have talked about both the blending of foodservice and retail and we've also talked about the rise in popularity (not to mention the product creativity) of melamine. So, it's no surprise that retail giant Zak! Designs has increased it footprint into the foodservice sector. These factors, along with the increases in foodservice demand for more creative, more functional, and more casual products in the tabletop category...have given fun companies like Zak! Designs a true competitive edge with hospitality operators. Zak! Designs is all about color! 

Through a patented process, Zak! Designs is also one of the few - if not the only - manufacturer to use re-cycled melamine in its products. This process not only reduces the amount of raw material needed to make the products, but also cuts down on the amount of waste that would otherwise be disposed of. 

The same splash of color that Zak! Designs products bring to chain restaurants, casino properties, resorts, and cruise ships is also available to independent restaurants through Zak's network of national dealers such as Wasserstrom and Edward Don. For the past five years, Zak! Designs has been raising visibility of its brand and creating demand for its products by participating in foodservice shows like the NRA Show and others. Zak! Designs is all about color!

 Zak! Designs also has a wide range of trays that are used in a variety of applications. The small black trays are sometimes used as in-room amenity trays, while bakeries and delis are using their MeeMee trays for showcasing product in display cases. Deli-style restaurants have long used Zak! Designs trays as do hotels and buffet operations to showcase breads, pastries, and more. 

So, whether it's tabletop, serving bowls, drinkware, or trays.....Zak! Designs is all about color!

To see the entire foodservice line of Zak! Designs products, go to:  
http://www.zak.com/Food-Service-Hospitality_c_322.html

Did I mention that Zak! Designs is all about color?

Citing strength of sales to China and Europe, Libbey  increased its overall sales by 5.4% in the second quarter. 

Sales to U.S. and Canadian foodservice glassware customers increased 1.3 percent, as shipments to foodservice customers were strong in May and June following a weak April.

To read the entire report on Libbey's second quarter results: http://investorrelations.libbey.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=64169&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1590095&highlight=

To see the entire line of Libbey's foodservice products, go here:  http://foodservice.libbey.com/

Everyone knows Homer Laughlin....er, HLC Dinnerware now as a supplier of practical dinnerware and Homer-Laughlin as the quintessentail American dinnerware brand. But, beyond being practical and a great value, there ARE some reasons why a decision to choose HLC/Homer Laughlin does not mean you have to sacrifice style or design when you remain practical.

One of those reasons may come from their Unique Designs product line.....the Times Square Collection.

Taking a cue on color from their world famous Fiestaware line, the Times Square Collection provides a rainbow of standard colors (9 colors) in just the right standard items (9 items). And...it would be my guess that the addition of the talented glaze and shape professionals from Hall China has made the possibilities in this line nearly endless.
So, it is "brilliantly clear" now .... that HLC and Homer Laughlin allows you to satisfy both your style/creative side, while appealling to your practical side, as well.

See the entire line of Homer Laughlin, Hall China, and Kenilworth products by going to:   www.hlcdinnerware.com

With a name like "Elite Global Solutions" you might expect that this would be a company run by IBM-type dark suits whose idea of having fun was wearing perfectly ironed tan slacks and blue bazers - with the mandatory sparkling white button down shirt - on Fridays only. And, of course, only in the summer months.

But, that's not the case, as Elite - a relatively new foodservice tabletop company that started in 2003 - provides melamine "displayware", dinnerware, and more recently, bamboo-products, tabletop and buffets. Since its inception, however, Elite has worked as hard - or harder - on developing their service reputation as they have their creative product line. One industry insider has termed Elite the "Nordstroms" of foodservice with their approach to never saying "NO" to customers. Elite's approach has positioned them - and their brand - strongly as the "YES" people.

We spend a fair amount of time talking about product and brand differentiation on this site. Well, Elite differentiates itself in multiple fundemental ways. Yes, their products are creative and unique. But, so is their catalog (how many companies show their CEO on a surfboard?). Do you think Elite customers have fun buying from them? Or, do you think their salespeople enjoy working for Elite?

Let me ask one other question - does anybody think for a moment that this company has trouble attracting good employees? With service and fun as a major part of your company DNA, your customers will have fun working with you, your employees have fun working there, too. Happier employees lead to happier customers which lead to more sales....more sales lead to more products and so it goes.....  What could be next- world peace?

Elite has lots of things going for it and in a tough economy....with profit margins squeezed at every stop of the supply chain....our guess is that Elite is continuing to gain market share and grow both sales and profits. Certainly, they have differentiated themselves and in competitive markets - that oftens makes all the difference.

Now....if we can just work on that company name! 

You can see the entire line from Elite (along with the surfing CEO, the motorcycle marketing mama....and the rest of the Elite gang) by going to :    http://www.eliteglobalsolutions.com/     (make sure you click on the "Our Stuff" tab!)

If you haven't seen the new 2011/2012 catalog from  WMF Americas/Hepp you definitely need to find your way to one. Known for high quality and great design since 1863, Hepp continues that tradition. Extending that quality and design to glassware, their new brochure showcasing their new glassware ranges is equally remarkable. I'm looking forward to learning more and sharing it here on these pages.

Meanwhile, you can check out all the beautiful silverplate and 18-10 stainless Hepp products by going to: http://www.hepp.de/index.php?lang=en

The full range of WMF Americas products are detailed at: http://www.wmfamericas.com/