I began my career as a professional investor studying hundreds of businesses in many different industries. My biggest takeaway from this experience was that all great companies had at least one thing in common: They were aggressive adopters of technology. Their counterparts — the companies that ignored technology — suffered the consequences regardless of their leadership position.

It’s a challenge for a privately held business to pass from one generation to the next. Even more so to get to the third generation. But that’s exactly what happened with Ace Mart Restaurant Supply, a San Antonio-based foodservice equipment and supplies dealer.

TriMark USA has merged its two e-commerce platforms, ChefsToys.com and BigTray.com, into one unit. Both will now go to market as ChefsToys.com.

Come September, when many students across the country return to school via remote learning, foodservice operators will have another remote option through which to purchase equipment and supplies. That’s why SEFA, a dealer-based foodservice equipment and supplies buying group will introduce Culitrade to the industry.

This is probably a record. Lancaster, Pa.-based Clark Service Group Inc. has only been in existence since January 2017. Despite being such a young company, it produced an FE&S Top Achiever: president Glenn Clark Jr.

During the past seven years, companies from all segments of the foodservice industry have slugged it out with one another trying to keep from losing market share during a sluggish economic period. In contrast, one company from a small town in Central Pennsylvania continues to grow at an accelerated rate. In fact, during the past four years, Clark Associates, Inc. has almost tripled its annual revenues.

Clark Associates may operate three distinct distribution channels, but they are all influenced by the vision of CEO Fred Clark. FE&S sat down with Clark to learn more about what makes this dynamic company and its leader tick.

Foodservice Equipment & Supplies proudly announces that Lancaster, Pa.-based Clark Associates Inc. is the recipient of the magazine's prestigious Dealer of the Year Award.