Techtown Service Calls

In this episode, Service Calls checks in with Duffy’s AIS CEO Wayne Stoutner for advice on how techs in the field can overcome COVID fatigue, and how to best prepare to bring equipment online—whether it sat as a result of pandemic-imposed closures or is a new installation. Next, Gary Petitti, president of Gary’s East Coast Service, solves an issue with a dishmachine pump that runs backward. And techs with EMR, Smart Care Equipment Solutions and Malachy Parts & Service point to the silver lining of the pandemic for the service industry.

John Schwindt of Hawkins Commercial Appliance Service shares what challenges, changes and hope he sees in the year ahead. Dan Cone of Dan Cone Group explains how the service company helped a relief organization feed thousands of people affected by a natural disaster. And service technicians with General Parts, Clark Service Group and EMR reveal what’s on their wish list in 2021.

Many service technicians have switched from in-person to remote training as a result of the pandemic. But remote training can have its challenges, including limited hands-on experiences and a lack of face-to-face interactions.

Dan Reese, director of training for CFESA, arms techs with the tools they need to succeed in remote training. Rich Bunt of Clark Service Group shares how a little communication goes a long what when it comes to bringing a combi oven back online, and EMR, Hagar Restaurant Service and Joe Warren & Sons Co. dish on how they encourage up-and-coming technicians in the field.

Refrigerated Specialist’s President Scott Hester answers questions about cold-side equipment from the Techtown community. Learn how blast chillers work, how to properly service R290 refrigerant and what to do if you see dry ice in a walk-in.

Up next, techs from General Parts and Service, Gary's East Coast Service and Hawkins Commercial Appliance Service talk about the craziest, funniest issue they’ve seen in a kitchen that’s prompted an operator to make a service call. 

You don’t want to miss it!

It’s even more crucial to deliver a first-time fix during the pandemic. It helps minimize calls to a foodservice facility and keeps costs down for the operator. But it’s not always easy.

EMR Parts and Distribution Manager Bill Boling lists how techs can best set themselves up for a first-time fix. Garrett Warren of Joe Warren & Sons finds an operator who takes cabinet cleaning to a new level. And techs from Clark Service Group, Duffy’s AIS, Pine Tree Food Equipment and American Kitchen Machinery & Repair share what they like most about virtual training versus in-person training.

It’s a new world for service techs, and the COVID-19 pandemic is still very real.

In this episode of Service Calls, Kirby Mallon, owner and president of Elmer Schultz Services, shares what he sees as the top challenges for techs in the field right now, and how they can overcome them. Pat Finley, lead master certified technician at General Parts, discovers a bakery’s mistake has turned dough batter into charcoal inside its dishmachine. Then techs from Gary’s East Coast Service, Choquette CKS, Duffy’s AIS and EMR explain how they’ve used some recent downtime to propel their career forward.

In this episode, Choquette CKS Vice President Jennifer Linton talks about supporting techs, even during these strange times. She also offers advice on how techs can get the most out of mentoring. Next, Tammy Blon of American Kitchen Machinery and Repair recalls a story of an operator who tried to take shortcuts with a self-cleaning combi oven. Then techs from Clark Service Group, Joe Warren and Sons Co., and EMR share tips on maintaining a social distance in the field.