Although they are the newest members of the Aga Foodservice Equipment division, both Stellar steamers and Eloma combi ovens have begun to earn significant new sales volume in several North American markets. In fact, according to Mitch Cohen, VP of Cooking System Sales for Stellar, Eloma and Infinity fryers, growth for AFE's "hot side" companies in the high-volume retail food and several noncommercial sectors has surpassed all 2006 sales projections.

"Stellar's sales are solidly up, especially in healthcare and senior care markets, though we believe that the company's cutting-edge money- and resource-saving boilerless technology should help business volume to increase at a faster rate as more industry professionals become familiar with our steamers' value proposition," Cohen explained. "And, though Eloma's boilerless combis just entered the North American market earlier this year, we've already seen strong sales activity, including a growing relationship with a national big-box retailer that will include the installation of the company's combi ovens in more than 70 stores."

    Cohen added that there are several reasons why Stellar and Eloma products are beginning to take market share away from longer-established competitors. "Our first advantage is better build quality, which we support with AFE's exclusive two-year standard parts and labor warranties," he remarked. "End-users and specifiers are also recognizing that they can save more energy, water, time and money with Stellar and Eloma equipment, thanks to their boilerless designs, patented heat exchangers and ability to prepare foods just as fast as conventional models while consuming less electricity or gas."

    So far in 2006, Cohen related, Stellar's gas-fired models, such as its Sirius line, have become sales leaders, while Eloma's market entry has been augmented by strong demand for its mid-size Genius 10-11 models. Both companies will continue to seek out new business with national and regional casual-dining chains during the rest of this year.