An Ohio rep firm changes its name, while Texas rep firms Chrane Foodservice Solutions and EPI add to their teams. Also, foodservice equipment manufacturers Forza Forni, RSG and Wood Stone up their rep networks.
Image Hospitality Marketing has changed its name to Avant Sales and Marketing. “Avant is a synonym for original, innovative, state of the art or advanced and cutting edge. This progressive name accurately represents our mindset and approach as an innovative, results-based, creative solutions company,” the company says in a statement announcing the change. Bryan Cliffe and Jeff Johnson serve as managing partner and partner, respectively, for the Ohio-based manufacturers’ rep firm.
Chrane Foodservice Solutions hired Chef Robby Hooker to serve as director of culinary innovation for the Texas-based independent manufacturers’ rep firm. In his new role, 
Chef Robby HookerHooker’s responsibilities will include pre- and post-sale demonstrations, equipment testing for chains, recipe development, platings, mixology, social media and other forms of online content, customer training and educational initiatives as well as hosting events for the firm.
Foodservice industry veteran Mariko Sakurai has joined the EPI/EPI2, a Texas-based manufacturers’ rep firm. Her background includes experience working for both foodservice equipment and supplies dealers as well as manufacturers. Sakuri’s resume includes stints with TriMark Economy, including its Big Tray operation. Sakurai has also worked with such manufacturers as Mercer, Victorinox Swiss Army, Oneida Foodservice and Homer Laughlin China.
Italian brick oven manufacturer Forza Forni added eight companies to its network of independent manufacturers’ reps. The Hansen Group now represents Forza Forni in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee (except West) and the Florida Panhandle, known as MAFSI region 12. Kain McArthur represents Forza Forni in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois (South of I-74 including Springfield and Champaign), also known as MAFSI region 16. Kitchen Resource Group represents Forza Forni in North Carolina and South Carolina, also known as MAFSI region 11. MarkeTeam Foodservice represents Forza Forni in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Hawaii, also known as MAFSI region 25. Marketing Agents South represents Forza Forni in Pennsylvania (except West of State College and Pittsburgh), New Jersey (Trenton and South) and Delaware, also known as MAFSI region 4. The Preferred Marketing Group represents Forza Forni in California and Nevada. Shamrock Foodservice represents Forza Forni in Florida, also known as MAFSI region 13. And Zink Foodservice represents Forza Forni in portions of Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Michigan, which encompasses MAFSI territories 6, 7 and 17.
Limelight Foodservice & Hospitality added Spring USA and Astra to its line card. Limelight now represents both companies in Illinois, Wisconsin and northwest Indiana, also known as MAFSI region 17.
Refrigerated Solutions Group added Voeller & Associates to its network of independent manufacturers’ reps. Voeller & Associates will represent RSG lines Norlake and Master-Bilt in the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, also known as MAFSI region 25.
Wood Stone Corp. added Ignite Pro-Pacific to its rep network, covering the Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana territory. Ignite acquired Pro-Pacific in February 2021 thus forming Ignite Pro-Pacific.
