FIRST CRACK

Hot Products & Fresh Ideas

money in your pocket

Need a helping hand when it comes time to determine proper inventory levels and create orders? The PocketSalesman Routebook by Beverage Solutions might be your man, er, machine. Designed specifically for the beverage distribution market, this mobile computing system tracks retail inventory levels for sales staff and creates optimized orders to help you avoid costly out-of-stock and over-stock situations. By relying on the collection of product retail inventory data, the Routebook can automatically forecast retail sales figures and build suggested order quantities. It can also collect other data, such as price to consumer, oldest product date and quantity, and out of stock information. No paperwork—or paper pusher—necessary. Beverage Solutions, Inc., 800.450.4274; www.beveragesolutions.com.

flavor savers

Flavormatic Industries Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of two new Powerbean flavors—hazelnut and vanilla macadamia nut—to their expanding line of products. These flavors are designed to allow roasters to flavor their beans and grounds without any of the mess, odor or chemical solvents of traditional liquid flavorings. And that means a cleaner roastery, and a cleaner-tasting coffee. Flavormatic Industries Inc., 845.297.9100; www.flavormatic.com; sales@flavormatic.com.

heavy on sweet, hold the sugar

If you’ve got customers with a sweet tooth who don’t want the sugar, point them to Stirling’s new line of sugar-free flavorings. Made with Splenda no-calorie sweetener, this ultra-concentrated line of flavorings offer true flavor with no calories, no fat and no carbs. Sugar-free flavors include French vanilla, rocky mountain hazelnut, crème caramel, California almond, Irish cream, and German chocolate. Stirling, 800.332.1714; www.stirling.net.

tastes great, less filling

Oregon Chai wants to fill your customers up without filling them out. For that reason, they’ve introduced two sugar-free chai tea latte concentrates. Available in original and vanilla, this is the first sugar-free chai concentrate on the market. No calories, no carbs, no sugar—and all the spicy, sweet taste of the original. Oregon Chai, 888.874.4242; www.sellchai.com.

mean clean brewing machine

If your espresso machine’s overdue for its annual cleaning, check out the Coffeetool, by Pällo. This multi-function tool may look a little funny—okay, it does look funny—but it’s like a pocketknife for baristas. One end offers bristles to clean group heads and a vent hole unclogger (along with a special “anti-scalding” hand-hold), while the other includes a measuring spoon for detergent. Available in black, blue, orange and green, the Coffeetool also features removable, recyclable bristle heads—just send 10 back to Pällo and they’ll send you a new one, free. Pällo, 415.548.0288; www.coffeetool.com.

faces in the grounds

• Aimee Markelz has been named vice president of the retail division for the BUNN Corporation. Her responsibilities include all retail sales and marketing, product development, distribution and customer service. Markelz has more than 13 years of progressive management experience, including 11 years with Newell Rubbermaid and Sanford International where she held the positions of vice president of marketing, marketing manager of brands, new product development manager and product manager.  Before joining the BUNN executive team, Markelz was founder and president of Talk Inc. of Chicago, IL.
• Espresso Specialists, Inc. announces two new hires, Ann Halsne, accounting specialist and Elvis Duldanic, quality assurance/bench testing. In addition, the commercial espresso equipment supplier announces eight promotions: Pat Loraas, vice president of sales; Kelly Traw, vice president of marketing; Roger Wittmann, product manager; Elizabeth Snodgrass, marketing project coordinator; Jason Schroeder, quality assurance supervisor/technical support; Azmir Sejicic, technical support/quality assurance; and Samantha Basovitch and Patti Angel, customer relations specialists.
• ForesTrade, Inc. and the Gayo Organic Coffee Farmers Association (PPKGO) were the recipients of the SCAA’s 2004 Sustainability Award. This new award was created by the SCAA to recognize those individuals, organizations and companies for “their efforts to strengthen and sustain the communities where coffee farmers live, work and raise their families.” Also recognized by the SCAA for their work to promote sustainability were Dean’s Beans, Thanksgiving Coffee Company, and IPAMENA Agricola SA.