Port Washington, N.Y. — WAC Group, which creates superior lighting solutions to appeal to all patrons of independent retail shops, chains and shopping centers, has named Keith Eagle as its new vice president of business development. “Keith is an outstanding addition to our dynamic sales team and will lead the development of our sales strategy, further strengthening our position in the industry,” says Becky Li, president of WAC Group. “With his extensive experience in sales leadership and a proven track record of success, we are confident he will be a …
vendors
— By Rich Kilgannon — How winterization and preventative maintenance can give restaurants the upper hand. When it comes to dining experiences, people eat with their eyes. Studies have shown that the way food looks can alter the diner’s perception of its taste and flavor. But it’s not just the look of the food, it’s the look of the place. We all have our own stories about visiting one of our favorite restaurants and thinking the food might still taste OK, but the stale look on the outside and in …
Nordborg, Denmark — Danfoss has named Kristian Strand as president of Danfoss Climate Solutions. He succeeds Jürgen Fischer who, after 16 years with Danfoss, has decided to retire. Strand, who is currently serving as divisional president, commercial compressors in Danfoss Climate Solutions, will join the Danfoss Group executive team and take over as president of Danfoss Climate Solutions on April 1, 2025. Prior to his current role, Strand served as divisional president, refrigeration & air conditioning controls, in Danfoss Climate Solutions. He has played a crucial role in the Climate …
Orlando, Fla. — Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions, a leader in environmentally responsible commercial kitchen services, had a record-breaking year in 2024. The company reached a significant milestone by recycling over 1 billion pounds of used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and innovation. “Reaching the milestone of recycling a billion pounds is both a phenomenal achievement and a testament to our commitment to sustainability,” says John Michals, chief operating officer. “This is a moment to celebrate, but also to ask ourselves, ‘What’s next? When do we …
Pomona, Calif. — Apex Imaging Services welcomes former Target and Bureau Veritas executive Blake Brosa to its leadership team. He joins Apex with nearly 20 years of AEC management and business development leadership experience. Previously, Brosa spent 6 years with Target Corporation in various property development roles and the last decade with Bureau Veritas, where he oversaw sales, marketing, strategy and client experience. “Retailers are seeking single-source solutions and partners that can truly deliver at scale,” says Brosa. “I was immediately impressed by Apex’s differentiated self-perform capabilities, investment in its …
— By Josh Miller — Preventive maintenance measures before disaster strikes. As a business owner, you’re always thinking about how to scale to the next level. You’re focused on what to do to improve daily operations, outshine the competition and attract more customers. But amid all of the strategic thinking and execution, one key aspect that often gets overlooked is planning for the worst-case scenario. In all my years in the restoration industry, I’ve seen firsthand how devastating these events can be whether in retail spaces or restaurants. One moment …
New York City — Sensei, a global leader in autonomous retail technology, recently debuted its groundbreaking autonomous supermarket at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, which took place in New York City from Jan. 12-14. Sensei introduces real-time basket technology and an autonomous experience with assisted sales — transforming customer convenience and operational efficiency. “Sensei’s technology goes beyond eliminating checkout lines — it enhances the entire shopping journey while providing retailers with invaluable real-time data to optimize their operations,” says Vasco Portugal, CEO and co-founder of Sensei. “We’re excited to bring …
Lincolnshire, Ill. — Zebra Technologies Corporation, a global leader in digitizing and automating frontline workflows, has helped Rack Room Shoes to operate with greater efficiency, leveraging Zebra’s Workcloud Task Management software and mobile computing solutions. For a century, Rack Room Shoes, with more than 500 stores across 36 states, has been committed to offering high-quality, brand-name footwear at competitive prices while ensuring exceptional customer service. To maintain its commitment, the retailer needed to streamline its operations and overcome communication bottlenecks so its store associates could be more productive and accelerate …
— By Sarah J. Carter — Colder weather is the time to plan for the return of migrating birds next spring. [EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared in the November 2024 magazine issue.] The seasons have changed, the autumn foliage is starting to brown and crisp early mornings greet you as you walk out the door. Every year, with the change of seasons, we make little adjustments, switching from iced coffee to a warm cup of cocoa, exchanging T-shirts for sweaters and jackets. Just as we make these minor changes …
West Concord, Mass. — Divert, Inc., a sustainable solutions company on a mission to solve the wasted food crisis and advance a circular economy, has expanded its executive leadership team with the appointment of four new strategic hires: Andrew Johnston as vice president of industrials, Derek Spillane as vice president of IT, Frenchie Audette as vice president of food service, and Lee DeVasier as vice president of transportation and supply chain. Johnston and Audette will spearhead strategy and revenue growth with the company’s industrials and food service customers. Spillane will …