Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/831591
OCG Show Daily Monday, June 5, 2017 4 0 MONGIELLO ON TRENDSPOTTING & TRENDSETTING In his Hurleyville, New York office, Anthony Mongiello, The Big Cheese™, contemplates the future while picking up a small transparent plastic package from his desk. He examines it like a jeweler might scrutinize a gem, turns it around under the light and considers every con- tour, each compartment. His aim this year is to bring snack products to a high- er level and packaging is his preoccupa- tion at the moment. "The product has to be seen. At Formaggio Brand, we use only the finest meats to wrap around our award-winning cheese. The quality that goes into each of these products, both in terms of ingredi- ents and production is staggering. Every single fresh mozzarella stick is wrapped with the finest meats – by hand. This product, Artisan Wraps, has been doing very well over the last several years and it was time to crank it up a couple notch- es." When Mongiello insists on crank- ing things up, he usually ends up creat- ing trends in the dairy and deli cases as a rule. Competitors arise immediately and the space wars begin. It's been seen since his earliest days in the early '90s with his introduction of the meat and cheese roll. He changed the shape of the classic hockey puck to a chub. The ability for people outside of the Italian ethnic enclave to cook with it in a practical way became obvious and is now nearly ubiquitous. The appearance of the meat on the outside drove sales up, creating a SKU that is still with us and with many more players on the field. That field was created by Mongiello. "I like to see a progression in the case and over my many years in business we have seen countless steps in the right direction and incredible growth within the category in general. I like to keep things fresh, grow- ing. In my profession I walk the store aisles, spot the trends, forecast new ones – but most importantly, I notice where the holes are in product offerings and then develop products to fill those voids. "In recent years I've seen a huge upsurge of snack products industry wide. This category is a natural next step for our case, too. Our Artisan Wraps™ prod- ucts have been doing very well across the country and I was looking to bring them to the next level. Then it hit me. Let's put a dipping sauce together with the cheese and meat sticks and package them to go. Let's combine fresh mozzarella and charcuterie style meats and package them so they are within the grasp of everyone every- where. If for no other reason than to create a healthy, complete snacking experience that you can put in your pock- et or purse." Leave the cookies behind. The trend shows an inclination towards healthy snacks and a gourmet charcuterie experi- ence. Rely on Anthony Mongiello and his team of research developers at Formaggio Brand to change the face of the case yet again. You can count on him for that. Visit Anthony Mongiello, "The Big Cheese" of Formaggio Brand at booth #2591. ACE+ MYSTERY SHOPPING NOW OFFERS VIDEO MYSTERY SHOPPING SERVICES Does your current mystery shopping provider offer video mystery shops? Do your employees push back with every shop, trying to increase their score? Have you thought about a program, but have not yet pulled the trigger? Do you have concerns about loss prevention, up-sells, online reviews or any other issues? ACE+ Mystery Shopping has been a traditional mystery shopping compa- ny since 2001, specializing in the food- service industry. In early 2016, the company began offering video mystery shopping services to its clients, so that they are able to receive the most rele- vant and up-to-date tools available. Want to see through the customer's eyes with your own eyes? Contact ACE+ Mystery Shopping today to find out about its video mystery shopping program. While ACE+ Mystery Shopping still offers traditional mystery shops as well as customer engagement sur- veys, the compa- ny feels that video shops pro- vide a great way for businesses to see through the "smokescreen" and be able to take a hands-on approach to improving customer service and employee training. You'll also get a state-of-the-art client portal that can generate a multitude of reports to assist you in following trends over locations. You won't be locked into long-term contracts: ACE+ Mystery Shopping clients stay with the company because the program works, and not because they signed a contract. A C E + M y s t e r y Shopping clients also get cus- tomized surveys that work for them. There are no additional fees for changes because ACE+ Mystery Shopping knows that as your business changes and evolves, it's important that the surveys do as well. ACE+ Mystery Shopping's expe- rienced staff provides personalized service and guidance to help ensure your program exceeds your expecta- tions. For more information, visit www.ace mysteryshopping.com. SHADESCAPES: MODERN, CLASSIC, TIMELESS ShadeScapes continues to be at the fore- front of the outdoor design revolution by bringing beautifully crafted, architectur- al-grade residential and commercial umbrellas, cabanas, shade leafs, pavil- ions and outdoor-indoor furnishings to the North American market. Addressing the fundamental need for sourcing the finest and most architectural shade designs has become the mission of ShadeScapes Americas. With an estab- lished presence in the design and hospi- tality markets, the company has become synonymous with the finest shade solu- tions by offering precise craftsmanship and manufacturing techniques, innova- tion, sophisticated styling, commercial- grade designs and materials, excellent quality control and technologi- cally advanced working mechanisms that are easy to use and require minimal maintenance. ShadeScapes offers five distinct state-of-the-art collections: Umbrosa Collection – contemporary beauty; Woodline Collection – artistic beauty; May Collection – sophisticated beauty; Cuscini Collection – luxurious beauty; and Extremis Collection – tools for togetherness. Creative shade solutions include c a n t i l e v e r / s i d e posts, telescopic umbrellas, giant umbrellas, shade sails, center pole umbrellas, dual-pole umbrellas, multi- umbrellas, personal shade designs and outdoor-indoor furnishings. When searching for the best shade solution tai- lored to your specific needs and style, you'll find that nothing compares to ShadeScapes shade solutions. For more information, visit www.shadescapesamericas.com. RENAU'S NEW SPM-708 SMART POWER MODULE Renau Electronic Laboratories again demonstrates the power, flexibility and ease-of-use of its Single Wire Communication Network with several innovative new products that give equip- ment manufacturers and operators a cus- tom-tailored control solution to meet any requirement or budget. Among the most exciting of these new Single Wire Communication Network products is the recently introduced SPM-708 Smart Power Module. Renau's Single Wire Communication Network allows fast and simple communication between Renau's wide range of interface devices, switch- es, modules and process controllers. This allows equipment manufacturers unprecedented levels of design flexibility by not only simplifying wiring, but also by providing them with a scalable and modular system that allows components to easily be added or removed as the application requires. This drastically shortens development times while deliv- ering a product that meets or exceeds customer requirements and expectations. The SPM-708 is a compact, power- ful relay module that can be mounted vir- tually anywhere on industrial equipment. Using Renau's Single Wire Communication Network, the SPM-708 connects to any of Renau's compact, pow- erful hybrid micro process controllers or intuitive user interface modules to power even the most intensive and demanding applications. Equipment operators and customers see a sleek, elegant dis- play that can easily be mounted any- where on the appliance while keeping the process controller and relay module out of sight within the controlled equipment, eliminating expensive and complicated harnesses. With a compact, durable design that boasts eight power outputs, the SPM- 708 replaces large and expensive solid state relays and relay switches with a microprocessor-based smart power module using patented and patent-pending technology that significantly increases reliability and product life while reducing the end-user's labor, maintenance and inventory costs. In order to perform in the most demanding foodservice industry environments, all Renau prod- ucts are fully encapsulated for outstand- ing protection from extreme tempera- tures, humidity and shock. Designed and manufactured in the USA, all Renau products are rigorously tested and come with an industry-leading three year war- ranty. For more information about Renau Electronic Laboratories' products and services, visit www.renau.com.