FOLLETT CORPORATION NAMES ED HUGHES TO WESTERN REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Easton, PA -- Follett Corporation announces the appointment of Ed Hughes to the position of Western Regional Sales Manager. In this role Hughes will be responsible for implementing foodservice sales programs and plans for the western United States. Hughes has worked in many facets of the food equipment industry, including sales and management positions with major manufacturers. Most recently he served as a manufacturer's representative with Equipment Preference, Inc. of Southlake, Texas.  Learn more about Follett

FOLLETT EXPANDS SYMPHONY™ LINE OF ICE AND WATER DISPENSERS Easton, PA -- Follett Corporation announces the addition of 6 new models to its line of Symphony ice and water dispensers. The new models feature a modular, removable ice machine located behind the splash panel for easier access and removal for servicing and PM. In addition to a new shorter height, these new dispensers have lift-off lids for complete access to the storage bin area for easy cleaning and sanitizing. The new models are available in countertop and wall-mount configurations with 25 or 50 pounds of storage. SensorSAFE™ touch-free dispensing actuation, which reduces the potential for cross-contamination, is standard on wall-mount models and available as an option on countertop models. All models produce approximately 300 pounds/day of Chewblet® ice, a high quality nugget ice that is chewable but slow melting. Chewblet ice is the correct size and texture for safe patient use in bedside carafes and is also appropriate for ice packs and lab applications. In addition to healthcare settings, Symphony ice and water dispensers are perfect for employee breakrooms, cafeterias, refreshment areas, or anywhere water is served.  Learn more about Symphony ice and water dispensers

GARY CRISTOFANO NAMED VICE PRESIDENT INTERNATIONAL SALES Easton, PA - Follett Corporation announces the promotion of Gary Cristofano to the position of Vice President International Sales. Cristofano will continue to report to CEO Steve Follett and lead the international sales team responsible for driving the growth of Follett-branded products outside of the United States. Cristofano joined Follett in 2004 as Manager of International Sales, and has been instrumental in the company's very significant sales growth over the past three years.  Learn more about Follett

ROBERT POPOWICZ NAMED REGIONAL SALES MANAGER Easton, PA – Follett Corporation announces the appointment of Robert Popowicz to the position of regional sales manager. In this role Popowicz will be responsible for implementing foodservice sales programs and plans for Eastern Europe and the Middle East out of the office in Gdansk, Poland. Popowicz was previously employed by Johnson & Johnson in the medical equipment field and Biomet Poland where he sold medical and biotechnology products. He holds a degree in marketing management from Gdansk University.  Learn more about Follett

FOLLETT INTRODUCES ICE MANAGER™ DIVERTER VALVE SYSTEM Easton, PA – Follett Corporation has introduced the newest innovation in automated ice delivery, the Ice Manager diverter valve system. The Ice Manager automatically fills two bins or dispensers with one Horizon icemaker. Smart technology monitors ice levels to deliver ice to the dispenser or bin where it’s needed most. You can spend your time taking care of guests instead of worrying about filling dispensers. And, potential for contaminating ice and slips and falls are reduced by eliminating manual handling of ice. Ice Manager can fill virtually any type of dispenser or bin, including drop-in soda dispensers. Follett’s exclusive ice-through-a-tube technology gives you the option of installing the ice machine up to 75’ away from the ice and beverage dispenser for an upscale look without the heat and noise of an icemaker in the dining area. By filling two dispensers with one icemaker, you can reduce your upfront investment and ongoing operating costs. Ice and beverage dispensers are easier to clean, too. With no icemaker stacked on top, the Ice Manager provides easy access to the ice storage area.  Learn more about Ice Manager

FOLLETT'S CHEWBLET® ICE PREFERRED BY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS Easton, PA – Market research students at DeSales University, Center Valley, PA, recently completed a study that showed university students prefer Follett Corporation’s Chewblet® ice by almost 2 to 1 over traditional cube ice for their fountain beverages. Under the direction of Dr. Sue McGorry, associate professor in the department of business for DeSales, these market research students found that 63% of the primarily 17 to 22 year-olds surveyed preferred Chewblet ice to cube ice. Almost 80% of participants surveyed liked the texture, appearance, size, shape and chewability of Chewblet ice. “Clearly, our findings demonstrate the tremendous potential for Chewblet ice to complement other products, such as fountain beverages, to attract young adults and provide significant lifetime customer value to retailers,” notes Dr. McGorry. The DeSales findings are similar to other market research studies that show preference for Chewblet ice averages over 70%. Follett’s Chewblet icemakers are energy and water efficient, qualify for rebates under the California utility rebate programs, and reduce water consumption by over 30% compared to typical cube-type machines. All Chewblet icemakers offer Follett’s exclusive ice-through-a-tube Satellite-fillTM capability which improves sanitation and safety and increases design flexibility. Founded in 1948, Follett Corporation is a leading manufacturer of ice-related equipment, including icemakers, ice storage and transport equipment, ice and beverage equipment, ice and water dispensers, and medical grade refrigerators and freezers equipment for the foodservice and healthcare markets worldwide. DeSales University, in Center Valley, PA, is a private, coeducational, four-year liberal arts university founded in 1965 and located on a 400-acre suburban campus 50 miles north of Philadelphia and about 90 miles south of New York City. Chewblet is a registered trademark of Follett Corporation, registered in the U.S.  Click here to learn more about Chewblet ice.

FOLLETT'S LATEST ICEMAKER INNOVATIONS Easton, PA – Follett Corporation’s line of Horizon™ icemakers has recently been expanded and upgraded. The newest Horizon icemaker, the Horizon 1400, can produce up to 1400 pounds per day. An upgraded version of the Horizon 1000 pound per day model that reduces energy consumption beyond the guidelines of the California Energy Commission was released in Spring, 2007. In Spring, 2007, Follett also released its latest innovation, the Ice Manager™ diverter valve system. With Ice Manager, one Horizon ice machine can now automatically fill two dispensers, automatically sensing where ice is needed and diverting production to that location. All Horizon applications provide customer-preferred Chewblet® ice, Follett’s exclusive ice-through-a-tube Satellite-fill™, reduced energy and water consumption, and advanced flushing and cleaning features to keep the ice machines in top working conditions. A 3-year parts and labor warranty and a 5 year compressor parts warranty are standard.  Learn more about Horizon icemakers

FOLLETT CORPORATION'S MEDICAL-GRADE REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS ARE NOW COMPATIBLE WITH MCKESSON'S NEW ACUDOSE-RX® REMOTE LOCK Easton, PA – Follett’s medical-grade undercounter refrigerators and freezers are now compatible with McKesson’s new AcuDose-Rx® Remote Lock. With the addition of AcuDose-Rx®, Follett refrigeration equipment is now compatible with all major automated dispensing systems including: Pyxis®, Omnicell®, MedSelect, and AcuDose-Rx® Follett’s REF and FZR series refrigerators and freezers provide consistent, stable temperatures to take the worry out of storing critical products for lab, pharmacy and patient care applications. Large refrigeration systems and forced-air cooling provide rapid pull down and quick recovery for outstanding temperature consistency even with frequent door openings. External digital temperature displays visually confirm the cabinet temperature and allow for temperature logging without opening the door. Stainless steel interiors and exteriors and heavy-duty components stand up to the rigorous use in healthcare applications.  Click here to learn more about Follett's refrigerators and freezers

KEYPAD LOCK OPTION NOW AVAILABLE ON FOLLETT’S REF SERIES MEDICAL-GRADE UNDERCOUNTER REFRIGERATORS Easton, PA – Follett REF series undercounter refrigerators are now available with a factory-installed keypad lock option that provides a higher degree of security and ease of use than standard cylinder locks. The keypad option allows the refrigerator door to open only when an authorized code is entered and relocks automatically when the door is closed. Each keypad accommodates one master code and up to eight individual user codes. A lock-out feature prevents the refrigerator from opening through repeated random code entries. Two 9-volt alkaline batteries power the keypad operation and provide approximately 8000 openings before replacement is needed. An audible alert signals low-battery status. Battery replacement is easily accomplished from the keypad front and all programmed codes are retained during the replacement process. Follett’s REF refrigerators are designed to provide consistent, stable temperatures to take the worry out of storing products in critical lab, pharmacy and patient care applications. Large refrigeration systems with forced-air cooling provide rapid pull down and quick recovery for outstanding temperature consistency even with frequent door openings. External digital temperature displays visually confirm cabinet temperature and allow temperature logging without opening the door. Stainless steel interiors and exteriors and heavy-duty components stand up to the rigorous use in healthcare applications.  Click here to see other refrigerator accessories

HIGH PERFORMANCE -20 DEGREES C UNDERCOUNTER FREEZERS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR HEALTHCARE INTRODUCED Easton, PA – Follett Corporation's new high performance -20°C undercounter freezers deliver the consistent temperatures, rapid recovery and locked security required for critical product storage in lab, pharmacy and patient care applications. Two models are available: FZR5 (4.2 cu ft capacity) for freestanding use or below 36" high counters and FZR4-ADA (3.5 cu ft) for 34" ADA-compatible counters. Both models are factory set to deliver -25°C to -23°C temperatures for demanding vaccine and reagent storage. The default set point can be adjusted from -30°C to -15°C to provide temperature ranges required for different applications. Heavy-duty refrigeration systems which include 1/3 HP compressors, thermostatic expansion valves (TXV), forced-air cooling, and digital, microprocessor controllers provide stable temperatures, quick pull-down and rapid recovery following door openings. Sequenced automatic defrost cycles eliminate manual defrosting while maintaining product at temperature. The FZR Series’ front-breathing design allows use below counters with no side or top clearance required. Standard features on both models include durable, stainless interior and exterior, external digital temperature display, locking door and two shelves.  Click here to learn more about the freezers

FOLLETT CORPORATION CELEBRATES COMPLETION OF 10,000 SQUARE FOOT ADDITION AND RENNOVATION Easton, PA – Steve Follett, president and CEO of Follett Corporation, welcomed employees and guests on Sunday, December 4, 2005 at the grand opening celebration of the completion of the 10,000 square foot office addition and renovation of its existing office facilities. Attendees included employees and their families, members of the board of directors, customers, suppliers, and community partners. With this expansion, Follett now occupies over 135,000 square feet of plant and office space. The architectural firm for the expansion was Spillman Farmer of Bethlehem, PA who were also the architects for the original building, which was constructed in 1966. Alvin H. Butz, Inc., Allentown, PA, was the construction manager for the project. Follett Corporation has seen substantial growth over the last 20 years with a five-fold increase in sales. Just in the last five years sales have increased over 50%. In the last three years Follett has increased it’s US workforce by 18% and now employs nearly 200 people in the United States. Twenty-three people are employed in its manufacturing facility in Gdansk, Poland, which opened in April of this year.  Click here to learn more about Follett

FOLLETT CORPORATION OPENS NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN POLAND Follett Corporation has cut the ribbon on a new manufacturing facility in Gdansk, Poland. Over 150 employees, customers and local government officials attended the grand opening, held on April 29. The 20,000 sq. ft. facility will produce ice storage bins and related foodservice equipment for the European, Middle Eastern and African markets. The facility began operating in early May. When asked about the venture, Steve Follett, President and CEO of Follett, responded, "The addition of our Poland facility greatly expands our growth opportunities in the European marketplace and strengthens our position as a global industry leader. We are fortunate to have a skilled and experienced management team from the Gdansk area, who will implement our vision of producing value-added products and services for customers outside the North American market using state-of-the-art fabrication equipment and processes." The company recently added 10,000 sq. ft. to their Forks plant as a part of their aggressive growth plan.  Click here to learn more about Follett