With sales up across the board, the Victory Refrigeration, Infinity Fryers, Stellar Steam and Eloma combi oven companies comprising the Aga Foodservice Equipment division concluded a memorable 2006. AFE (and Victory) President Mark Whalen related that Victory and Eloma generated the most outstanding sales results, meeting or exceeding all projected '06 targets, while Infinity and Stellar made impressive gains but are expected to do still better in 2007.

    "The sales growth we experienced during the past 12 months gave a clear indication that the value proposition AFE brands represent earned increasing acceptance among specifiers and operators in major markets," Whalen observed. "We were especially pleased with the U.S. market's reaction to Eloma's debut, which was a very pleasant surprise as our new combi line-up made a material contribution to our corporate bottom line and even created an order backlog for '07."

    To capitalize on the momentum generated by Eloma's introduction, Whalen noted that gas- fired Genius models and the company's entry-level Multi Max line will both be sold in the domestic market during 2007. What's more, Victory plans to expand its market penetration with a new selection of back bar equipment. All AFE products, new and established, will continue to offer class-leading build quality, energy efficiencies and their categories' only two-year standard parts and labor warranties.

    With production volume having followed an upward curve throughout the year just ended and orders piling up for the new year, Whalen said that AFE will continue to devote itself to internal process improvements to cut costs and maintain its historically responsive customer service. "We have made a sizable investment in new fabrication equipment, as well as software and management tools that will allow us to monitor our performance more accurately and establish 'stretch' goals beyond our business plan," he explained. "This should give us a better handle on our overall progress in building each one of our brands into class leaders."

    Whalen added that his top 2007 objectives for AFE include working to establish the division's hot-side Infinity, Stellar and Eloma brands more firmly in the market by building specifiers' and end-users' awareness of the benefits the companies' products provide. This effort will involve the redevelopment and re-launch of all AFE company web sites during 2007, as well as increasing rep presence in both the noncommercial and commercial sectors, and hosting one or more FCSI-approved Continuing Education sessions for specifying consultants.