Selected Archives
Selected stories 2011-2021
A question we’re often asked at TabletopJournal is what makes Steelite so special and how do they continue to grow their business? After spending much of today in product review sessions where new product after new product was showcased, along with new uses and updates for existing products….you might well assume that the answers to be those questions would be product related.
However, from what I have witnessed in my very short visit at this sales conference, it’s far more about the people – and their passion – than it is about the individual product that leads to the success at Steelite. While their products are the most creative products of their types, in the end what is impressive is how the Steelite people use these products to provide solutions to their customer’s tabletop problems. From VP, National Accounts Tony Taneal to Denver area Sales Rep Ron Gallman to Tabletop Specialist Mary Beth Miller to Midwest Sales Manager Jack Eaton…. they all shared the passion for selling tabletop with each individual encounter we had with them, as did many others whose names I didn't get. It is this passion for providing tabletop solutions that seems to run throughout the Steelite organization. Today’s product breakout sessions were a good example. Each upbeat and fast moving session was run by a knowledgeable expert whose passion and energy was on full display. You saw it in the informal hallway gatherings - discussing this product or that...how they might work to solve a particular customer's problem. Other companies may try to compete on a product basis, but Steelite seems to be competing on a talent basis….and their inventory of talent runs deep. So, while there can be no doubt that Steelite has some truly creative products – with many more on the way - it is the people and their talent – and, yes, their passion - that are perhaps this company’s most impressive assets.
What do you think of when you're thinking of your “BRAND”?
Remember…. your brand is what others think it is, not what you think it is. With that in mind, your brand is what you stand for, what type of company you are when nobody is watching. Brands are promises and how well you deliver on those promises is a large part of your overall brand DNA. Ultimately, your brand is an accumulation of all the many and wide-ranging touchpoints and experiences that people have with your brand. So, in the end, your brand is really a result of many activities, not a single logo, website design, mission statement or slogan. Some relationships....are just meant to be. Bauscher/Hepp and Tafelstern/WMF new catalogs are out. Restaurant tabletops everywhere have begun to smile. We're pretty sure the new Luigi Bormioli catalog can't be far behind. To learn more about Bauscher USA and the extensive portfolio of top tabletop products, go here:
http://www.bauscherusa.com/ or give them a call (888.840.4333) to get your own new catalog.
Steelite also had on hand as keynote speaker was Grammy Award winning (U2, Dave Matthews Band, 30 Seconds to Mars) record producer Steve Lillywhite who spoke on the success that can come from always staying passionate about your craft -whether it be music or tabletop. Weaving in stories about his famed music clients, Lillywhite told the group that keys to achieving and maintaining success were to keep the journey fresh and to remain relevant. And, that it's all about the passion. Well received by the crowded room, Lillywhite's comments set the tone for an upbeat, creative evening and a great start to the overall conference. The remainder of the Sales Conference agenda includes industry updates, a presentation on newly acquired Royal Crown Derby, and sales training seminars, concluding with Steelite's Annual Awards Dinner
In his own words, Jay Allie explains: Lead Free Crystal Glass. Traditional styling. Melted stem technology. Sheer fire polished rims. Having all these attributes makes Stolzle's CELEBRATION another great option when it comes to elevating the wine experience for the hospitality guest. For more information on Stozle's new CELEBRATION contact Jay Allie directly or for more information on the entire lineup of hospitality products from Everyware Global, go here:
http://www.foodservice.oneida.com/
Maker’s Mark knows how to show that they are a quality, aged, fine liquor while still “staying young” and having fun with their advertisements. This is a marketing plan that reflects the culture of their company. Shouldn’t your company do the same? - David James
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. 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)
To learn more about Hollowick and their line of products for the hospitality industry, go here:
http://www.hollowick.com/ Family companies steeped in history like The Homer Laughlin China Company (HLC), 142 years old and the largest remaining domestic tableware manufacturer in the United States, tend to write their stories based on generations of leadership, continuing progress, and increasing excellence. The chapters represent milestones, not just change. For the first time in HLC’s history, the mantle of leadership is being handed down, not to a successive generation, but from brother to sister. With a quiet nod typical of the privately held company, Homer Laughlin has announced Elizabeth McIlvain as its new president, effective March 18, 2013. As a fourth-generation owner of the company, Elizabeth takes over the position from her brother, Joseph Wells III, who is stepping down after 50 years of service. Wells III will take his esteemed father’s place as chairman of the board. In her new position, McIlvain will assist the board in overseeing all operations of the company’s two principal divisions — retail and commercial dinnerware — both operating out of the 37-acre manufacturing plant located in Newell, West Virginia. Her main focus is a continued emphasis on increasing sales companywide.
When asked about her plans, McIlvain said, “Business as usual, but kicked into high gear.” She explained, “We are growing. In the last decade, we have expanded manufacturing, introduced new brands, and assimilated new companies. All the while, our mission has remained true—leadership and innovation in the manufacture of quality lead-free china for the retail and commercial markets. For a company in its second century, growth and commitment to leadership means we run to the next opportunity. That’s what I will encourage. HLC will continue to write the history of the dinnerware category.”
Gene Williamson, recently appointed vice president of sales, Foodservice Division, for the HLC Inc. family of companies, offers that McIlvain is the ear company leaders seek. HLC companies include Homer Laughlin China; Hall China; and the Kenilworth Trading Company, the exclusive distributor of RAK Ceramics in the U.S. To view the entire collection of HLC products for the hospitality industry, go here: http://www.hlchina.com/ On Friday 15th March, Steelite International, held its 2nd Stepping Up To The Plate Awards at the Moat House Hotel in Stoke. The event also marked a major milestone for the company as they celebrated their 30th anniversary since becoming an independent in 1983. The evening saw 74 members of the Steelite staff applauded and rewarded for long service – from 10 years through to an astounding 49 years with the company. Awards were also given to mark outstanding achievements in the company’s nine values of Commitment (kilns department) , Teamwork (the team responsible for establishing the company’s first retail outlet Perfect Setting) , Respect (security guard, Lee Murphy), Creativity (Chantal Feliu in European Customer Service), Passion (a team who presented to the North Staffs CIPD group), Responsibility (Adrian Smith), Honesty (David Bayley), Leadership (Mark Moreton) and Success (Steelite International’s United States arm, who also took the overall value award for bringing in an astounding $63million of sales.) In addition, awards were made to the company’s top Employee Champion (Tom Ingle), Learner of the Year (April Molloy-Barker), as well as a Community Spirit Award (Three Peaks Challenge Team) and Health and Safety Award (Paul Page).
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