Speaking of table lighting.....category leader Hollowick has a new website, filled with new products that they've been showing off throughout the trade shows of these first few months of 2013. Hollowick is a company that sometimes keeps a quiet profile but continues to launch new creative products and service its customers well. But, come to think of it....isn't that what it's all about.
 The restaurant, the dining experience or the lighting, can often characterize a romantic dinner. Just having a candle can change the mood or atmosphere of a formal dinner to a romantic evening with a significant other. The tabletop has evolved over time and so has the lighting that illuminates it. Now, not only can the tabletop include the traditional warming tea candle; but instead an efficient, convenient LED substitute. Although a L.E.D. candle can never replace a traditional wax candle, it can offer several benefits; including but not limited to: a zero-risk of fire, cost-effectiveness, timer options and lasts between 6-8 months. Candlelamp Sterno is a leadership brand in the tabletop lighting industry. Candlelamp is a corporate giant that has been operating for over 30 years and in line with their motto they have continually been following their pledge: “to provide passion, trust and innovation to the tabletop lighting industry”.
| | The natural candle creates a romantic ambiance leading to claims that using candles can lead to greater sales. A candle is heart-warming and characterizes the popular romantic “candle-lit dinner”. Although a candle generally only lasts between 3 – 36 hours and is typically more expensive you cannot; however, replace the warm glow of a candle over a hot dinner. Norex boasts over 14 years of experience with the commercial service industry. Hollowick is another giant of the industry that is committed to enhancing the overall dining experience and to keep customers coming back again and again. | Candle Impressions is following a similar lead, by creating L.E.D. candles that: “They look, feel and flicker just like the real thing”. L.E.D. candles are slowly taking over the tabletop lighting market. The debate rages on about which candle to use, but what we can all agree on is that no matter what your flame is, there is a tabletop lighting manufacturer there for you. - Danny Grewal
 Left to Right: Michael Hartman, Antoinette D'Ambrosio & Jennifer Lauritzen from i-Sell Solutions, Inc. with Michael Cleveland, Director of Sales from Hollowick During a special presentation at last month's NAFEM Show in Orlando, Hollowick announced a couple of special company awards. First, i-Sell Solutions Inc., based in Portland, OR, was named the HOLLOWICK REPRESENTATIVES OF THE YEAR. Principals Michael Hartman & Antoinette D'Ambrosio along with Sales Representative Jennifer Lauritzen were on hand to accept this award on the behalf of their company. The Hollowick Rep of the Year is awarded to the Hollowick Representative Organization for superior sales performance and support of Hollowick throughout the previous year. "i-Sell Solutions was able to significantly grow Hollowick sales last year across all our product categories by focusing on new business and growing existing business with our key strategic partners in their area. Those efforts, along with their ongoing everyday support of our line made this group the ideal choice for this year's Rep of the Year.", said Paul Kuzina, Hollowick's Director of Marketing.  Alan Squier, Dining Essentials |  Bill Squier, Dining Essentials | Hollowick also announced the induction of Alan Squier and Bill Squier from Dining Essentials Inc. (A Squier Company), based in Rockville, MD, into HOLLOWICK's HALL OF FLAME. The announcement was also made during another special presentation at the NAFEM Show.
"The Hall of Flame is the highest level of recognition Hollowick gives. It is only awarded to select individuals within the Hollowick Community that we feel have made a significant contribution to the long-term success of our company. Our latest induction is not one person, but a pair of remarkable individuals. Each has made their own unique contribution to Hollowick's success, however we believe it is their collaborative efforts that are truly worthy of our highest honor. Our relationship with them goes back almost 30 years and their dedication, integrity and professionalism is recognized throughout the industry." said Kuzina.
Past inductees into Hollowick's Hall of Flame are...
Jerry & Beverly Menter - founders of Hollowick
Jon & Pat Bolles - former Hollowick VP of Sales & wife
Robert Spence - Principal, Spence-Wells Associates (Hollowick Representative in New England Market)
| Hollowick also named Mary Jo Jansen with Dining Essentials, Inc. (A Squier Co.) as the 2012 HOLLOWICK HIGHLIGHT recipient. Dining Essentials, Inc. (A Squier Co.) is based in Rockville, MD.
The HOLLOWICK HIGHLIGHT AWARD is a special recognition given to a specific individual within the Hollowick Community for their exemplary dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism.
"This year's HIGHLIGHT recipient exemplifies all of these traits, not only for Hollowick, but for all the lines she represents. She is truly one of the hardest working people I know and it is always a distinct pleasure working with her." said Paul Kuzina, Hollowick's Director of Marketing.
|  Hollowick's Paul Kuzina presents his company's Hollowick Highlight Award to Mary Jo Jansen from Dining Essentials |
Quick note to tabletop companies that exhibit at trade shows....take advantage of the the opportunities (often, at no extra charge) that trade show organizers offer to promote your company and its products. Keep in mind that these promotional opportunities are also brand positioning activities, so how you choose to participate will reflect back on your brand and influence how your company is viewed. At the recent I nternational Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, there was one....yes, ONE....media kit from a tabletop company. Thant company was Bamboo Studio. We'll admit that media coverage of tabletop is not what it needs to be (except, of course, TabletopJournal) but for those who might want to give you some coverage these kits can be very helpful. From announcing new products, changes, etc to making sure the text is accurate to getting good product images out...the media kit is an essential part of the brand building process. And, best of all, it is essentially free! So, if you are exhibiting....have a proper media kit. |  Bamboo Studio was the only tabletop company with a media kit. Inside, they announced the introduction of their new eco-friendly HARVESTWARE dinnerware. | The second recommendation to tabletop exhibitors would be to take advantage of free display areas. Most trade shows offer an area to showcase new or innovative products. And while these display areas often include a variety of products from all categories, why not have your products displayed there to represent the tabletop category? Put together a small display and a great storyline and get your products in one more location in the show. Remember, it is all about branding and creating impressions and to have your products included in an area called "NEW" or "INNOVATIVE" creates a positive impression on your brand. And..often, these additional exhibits come at no cost to exhibitors. At the same show, Libbey (shown above) and Steelite had great displays in the New Product Gallery that the show had set up. In addition, in a separate New Product Gallery listing in the show directory, companies like American Metalcraft, Bamboo Studio, Hollowick, all had nice additional listings Trade shows are expensive to participate in as an exhibitor. TabletopJournal has written on this subject multiple times offering tips on improving your chances for success and we still maintain that - despite the investment required - trade shows still offer the best opportunity to present your brand message and to meet both existing and potential customers. Make sure that as you develop your trade show plan, you include activities like we have listed above ...media kits...new product showcase opportunities....and more, so that you help maximize your company's return on the investment you're making. See you at the show! And, remember.... tabletop matters!
Attendees say seeing new products and developments at The NAFEM Show is their #1 reason for attending.
The NAFEM Show made the foodservice tabletop innovations easy to find at the WHAT’S HOT! WHAT’S COOL!® new product gallery. This high-traffic area of the show floor is visited by nearly 80% of attendees historically and our impression was that trend was no different in 2013.
Hot tabletop products at The NAFEM Show were: Strahl Drinkware
Strahl is a high quality beverageware that combines the strength of polycarbonate, with the elegant look and feel of glass. Strahl's newest collection is CapellaStack, a new collection that is stackable and is crystal clear with the look and feel of glass. CapellaStack is safe for commercial dishwahers and is available in five distinct sizes. | | | | Steelite InternationalSteelite's new CRAFT Collection is inspired by hand-crafted, simple county wares made by generations of potters over hundreds of years. The range embodies the beauty of rich, lustrous glazes applied by hand, and celebrates chance effects and reactions which occur naturally in the kiln. The gem-like glazes married to simple forms and shapes produce a unique and individual appearance, giving CRAFT a rustic "joie de vivre". Manufactured in an evironmentally-friendly process that recycles clay waste, CRAFT production has save 350 metric tons since July 2007. | Eastern TabletopEastern Tabletop's new ZAPFLAME is the innovative perfect solution for adjustable heat with countless advantages. Chefs will enjoy the ease of transition from standard gel fuel cans as they control the ZAPFLAME from small to large to create the perfect temperature for their dish.It has the capability to be used for grilling, cooking, warming as the ZAPFLAME easily adjusts from low to high. All in addition to the cost savings of wasted, half used, gel fuel cans. Save and refill as needed.ZAPFLAME is designed so that the used can shut off the flame when an event is over and turn it back on for the next event, making it eco-friendly, as well. | | | | LibbeyWith the growing popularity of craft and premium beer, Libbey continues to innovate by offering creative new beer glassware products to provide the perfect beer presentation. With its new contemporary verticla design and quality heavy sham, Libbey's new ALTITUDE tall beer glass offers restaurateurs the opportunity to differentiate the beer experience and elevate the beer experience. Offered in Sheer Rim of Fine Edge, ALTITUDE is available at a price point to maximize profit per serving. Designed to fit naturally in the hand, the tall stature and slender figure of ALTITUDE provide impeccable balance, while the inward tapering top captures aromas, enhancing the beer tasting experience. ALTITUDE is available in 14 oz., 16 oz, and 20 oz. capacities and is the ideal investment for any establishment seeking to upgrade their beer service. | HollowickHollowick's Smart Candle TRUFLAME LED Wax Pillars create the most realistic flame colors and flicker available in LED. The products are made of unscented real wax pillars and feature a smooth finish. With three timer settings and a remote control (that is included), you can control the ambiance of your environment with ease. Safe and durable, these flameless wax pillars are designed for many years of continuous use. TRUFLAME flameless wax pillars from Hollowick run on four AA alkaline batteries (not included) and feature up to 400 hours run time. Candles operate by remote control or with a built-in three-stage timer. Hollowick's TRUFLAME flameless LED Wax Pillars are available in 5 sizes. | |
Hollowick's line of wax pillars utilizes the newest technology available to help create the best ambiance for your dining guests. Their TRUFLAME LED creates a realistic flame color and flicker available in LED. With three timer settings and an included remote, you can control the beauty of your environment with ease to elevate your overall guest experience. Safe and durable, Hollowick's flameless wax pillars are designed for many years of continuous use. All this from a company whose 40 year committment to quality products and service has never wavered. | |
 From Left to Right: Drake Collins, K. Sales Co., Ken Kay, K. Sales Co. & Joel Nye, Sales Development Manager, Hollowick, Inc. |  From Left to Right: Paul Kuzina, Hollowick Director of Marketing, Jason Wange, Desert Peake Marketing, Mike Cleveland, Hollowick Director of Sales | Table lighting leader Hollowick took the opportunity at the just completed NRA Show in Chicago to present its top sales awards. K. Sales Co., based in Loganville, GA, was named the HOLLOWICK REP OF THE YEAR during a special presentation at last week's National Restaurant Show in Chicago. Ken Kay and Drake Collins were on hand to accept this award on the behalf of their company. The Hollowick Rep of the Year is awarded to the Hollowick Representative Organization for superior sales performance and support of Hollowick throughout the previous year. "K. Sales was able to grow Hollowick sales last year across all our product categories by focusing on new business and growing existing business. Those efforts, along with their ongoing everyday support in addition to their contributions on the Hollowick Rep Council made this group the ideal choice for this year's Rep of the Year.", said Paul Kuzina, Hollowick's Director of Marketing. In addition , Jason Wange, of Desert Peak Marketing, was presented with the HOLLOWICK HIGHLIGHT AWARD during another special award presentation. The HOLLOWICK HIGHLIGHT AWARD is a special recognition given to a specific individual within the Hollowick Community for their exemplary dedication, enthusiasm and professionalism in representing Hollowick." When you see an individual like Jason, with his enthusiasm and his quest for knowledge for the lines he represents, it really forces you to take a step back and to appreciate the effort being put forth on the behalf of your company for you know great things are going to happen from those efforts. We are very proud to have Jason representing Hollowick.", said Kuzina.TabletopJournal likes to highlight companies that not only have great products, but also have great people as we think it takes a lot of each to achieve long-term success. Hollowick has both and those are the primary reasons they have been a leader in lighting for the hospitality segment for the past 40 years.
We talk from time to time about companies that, well, are not always the "sexiest" companies out there, but just quietly and, in a high-quality way, continue to go about their business providing great service and great products. Hollowick is one of those companies. In fact, Hollowick has been doing it for the past 40 years. In many ways, Hollowick is one example of the kind of company that this site was created for. TabletopJournal loves to celebrate smaller, less visible companies that - either through design, through service, or just through sheer overall company quality continue to differentiate themselves and remain competitive and current. Hollowick's new catalog is full of new products and new textural finishes to existing products.  Hollowick is pleased to offer TIKI® Brand outdoor lighting products, America’s #1 brand for citronella fuel and outdoor torches. TIKI® Brand torches bring light and ambiance to your outdoor areas with distinctive flair, ensuring a comfortable and pleasant outdoor experience for your guests. And we love that Hollowick is now the hospitality source for Tiki Brand outdoor lighting, as well. We talk about mature companies adapting and changing to today's hospitality marketplace and Hollowick seems like a great example of a company that continues to lead with superior products and outstanding customer service.
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