September 2, 2008— Econofrost reflective night curtains joins the FMI 2008 Energy & Technical Services Conference , an industry information exchange for supermarket business leaders. Econofrost brings their energy saving thermal shields for refrigerated display cases to the Omni Orlando Resort and Golf Club at Champions Gate, 1500 Masters Boulevard, Orlando, Florida,  Sunday through Wednesday, September 7 - 10, 2008.

            The theme of the Orlando FMI Energy and Technical Services Conference is “Save Energy: Reduce your Carbon Footprint.” Econofrost joins over 60 other vendors of energy efficient technologies for lighting, HVAC, refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Representatives are available to managers and engineers for informal discussions about the Econofrost contribution to energy management and cost savings in supermarkets. Closed sessions for manufacturer/retailer exchanges afford opportunities for industry executives and peers to examine today’s energy related topics relevant to worldwide food distribution systems.

            Look for the MGV table display to see how Econofrost night covers save retail food stores money to conserve energy in refrigerated display cases and can qualify for financial incentive rebate programs.

            Econofrost night covers provide a simple, affordable way to save energy by maintaining temperature control in open refrigeration cases, prolonging the shelf life of refrigerated merchandise, and decreasing the energy load on refrigeration equipment. Econofrost can be specified as an option from most manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment or ordered for retrofits. Econofrost has been serving the supermarket industry since 1975 and has made over 250,000 thermal shield installations in nearly 30 countries. 

            Market Group Ventures, Inc., the parent corporation for Econofrost and Promolux Lighting International, is a world leader in providing retail technology solutions for merchandisers.

New Product:

SECURIFROST is a lockable, retractable roller shutters for refrigerated display cases that help keep product secure inside the case and to reduce energy consumption.

Available in hard-shell units or fabric covers with a lockable handle, SECURIFROST provides food retailers and foodservice operations with a convenient built-in device to deter theft and improve energy efficiency.

Existing Product:

Original ECONOFROST night covers have been further developed to now include the SECURIFROST security cover product line.

New Foodservice Application:

SECURIFROST is available for closing off access in the open style merchandising cases that carry such products as ‘grab-n-go’ prepared foods, beverages, and liquor and which are typically located in public areas or are subject to licensing and operating hours restrictions.

Cost Reductions:

SECURIFROST benefits retailers wanting to reduce their shrink costs from loss of product due to theft and spoilage.  The lockable anti-theft cover helps deter opportunist pilferage, and the night cover feature helps maintain core temperatures inside the display case and thus protects product integrity.  Labor savings are realized through reduced overnight reload/ unloading tasks.  

Aesthetic Impact:

SECURIFROST is integrated into the display case’s fabrication and rolls up and out of sight when not in use.   It is a factory installed product and can be designed to fit the ‘look’ required in display case applications.

ECONOFROST’s additional product line - SECURIFROST security cover provides display case equipment manufacturers integrated components for bringing new solutions to meet food retailers’ requirements for security, product integrity, and energy savings.

–The largest privately owned supermarket chain in Southern California, San Bernardino based Stater Bros markets has recently completed a retro-fit installation of Econofrost woven aluminum heat reflective night covers onto all of their open refrigerated display cases in all 165 stores. A 36% reduction in energy consumption per hour the covers are used and a significant improvement in perishable product appearance and reduction in shrink are key reasons behind the initiative but even more important “Stater Bros are committed to serving their community. Saving energy is an important part of that commitment”.

Unprecedented growth in residential and commercial development throughout Southern California’s inland empire has continued to tax an already strained electricity distribution grid.  That combined with energy prices which show no sign of stabilizing or lowering, pushed Stater Bros management to consider many different solutions for controlling costs and reducing risk. They found Econofrost night covers gave them the “bang for their buck” they needed.  

Energy savings of 36% per hour used along with a rapid response capability to protecting perishable product in the event of a power interruption or brown out made economic sense to Stater Bros management team. However, during the course of extensive testing, additional benefits were uncovered that even further justified the investment…“significantly reduced shrink and discard in perishable departments and such dramatically improved product appearance and integrity”… EconoFrost night covers were an obvious choice. 

With a variety of brands of night covers available, the management team at Stater Bros had to consider which product would provide them the greatest performance and value along with the least number of maintenance “headaches” while also achieving their expectations for savings. To do this they launched a program of in-store testing that compared price, performance, service and aesthetics of a number of brands, including Econofrost.  Although Econofrost night covers were considerably more expensive than other brands tested they were found to be more robust, delivered the greatest performance and ease of use and had a much longer serviceable life. Their cost, it was felt, could be amortized over a much longer period of time than other brands, “meaning a much better ROI”.

As a partner in their community, Stater Bros Markets are doing their part to conserve energy while contributing in a very significant way to their own “bottom line”.  A real win-win for everyone!

Asian technology exchange discussions aid supermarket business

SHAWNIGAN LAKE, BC  April 9, 2008”

Food safety issues are the focus of attention at this years massive Food & Hotel Asia Exhibition in Singapore April 22-25, 2008.

Market Group Ventures of Canada, parent company of Econofrost and Promolux brands, is pleased to participate in this major international platform linking food industry manufacturers and buyers.

FHA 2008, Asias largest international Food & Hospitality Trade Event, this year features Guy Kurkjian, President of the World Food Safety Organisation, speaking to a Food Safety Forum on significant issues of concern to the food and hospitality industry. The 16th Asian International Exhibition of Food and Drink, Hotel, Restaurant, Bakery and Foodservices, is held at the Singapore Expo Centre, 5 minutes away from the Changi airport. Locate Econofrost and Promolux in Hall 5/5F1-03.

As one of the manufacturers converging in Singapore to bring the worlds best possible technologies to food service industries, MGV Inc. meet with food industry retailers interested in issues of food safety, energy savings and operating cost reductions.  

Econofrost night covers provide a simple, affordable way to save energy by maintaining temperature control in open refrigeration cases, prolonging the shelf life of refrigerated merchandise, and decreasing the energy load on refrigeration equipment. Econofrost woven aluminum display covers can be specified as an option from most manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment or ordered for retrofits. Econofrost has been serving the supermarket industry since 1975 and has made over 250,000 night cover installations in nearly 30 countries. See www.econofrost.com.Promolux is a leading manufacturer of Safe Spectrum low radiation lamps designed specifically for food safe merchandising displays. Promolux calls attention to the importance of using correct specialty lighting for food safe merchandising. The first manufacturer to develop a light source that combines superior color rendering with reduction of harmful radiation, Promolux invites inquiries about their balanced spectrum lamps for food safe lighting and true color definition at info@promolux.com . Econofrost and Promolux can easily become part of every retail stores merchandising strategy. 

 

Supermarket specialty products take part in international Food Marketing Institute Show 

Econofrost reflective night curtains joins the Food Marketing Institute Show 2008, an international showcase for supermarket industry marketing. Econofrost brings their energy saving thermal shields for refrigerated display cases to the worlds premier food retail industry event  the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre in Las Vegas, NV, May 5 - 7 2008. Econofrost night covers can be found in Booth 83 at the FMI 08 sessions, and representatives will meet with food industry retailers and equipment designers interested in food safety, energy savings and operating cost reductions.   FMI 08 brings together on one show floor a projected attendance of 20,000 visitors, manufacturers and retailers seeking ways to lower costs, increase productivity and improve the shopping experience. Discussions at the forum include the latest economic and consumer trends in the food industry with a focus on keeping business on the cutting edge while meeting the demands of busy consumers.Econofrost night covers provide a simple, affordable way to save energy by maintaining temperature control in open refrigeration cases, prolonging the shelf life of refrigerated merchandise, and decreasing the energy load on refrigeration equipment. Econofrost woven aluminum display covers can be specified as an option from most manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment or ordered for retrofits. Econofrost has been serving the supermarket industry since 1975 and has made over 250,000 thermal shield installations in nearly 30 countries.

Optimize temperature control in open refrigerated food display cabinets

Participating in the AHR Expo enables Econofrost to introduce food retailers, display case manufacturers and distributors, design firms, refrigeration equipment distributors, and commercial food equipment distributors to the energy-saving benefits of installing blinds that reflect heat, trap cold air, and stabilize temperatures in food display coolers. In the worlds largest HVAC&R exposition, Econofrost demonstrates how retailers reduce energy costs and decrease deterioration of perishable goods while on display. Meat, seafood, dairy and flower displays exposed to dry air, heat and light radiation stay fresh longer when they are stored in optimal temperature and humidity conditions.

Using Econofrost woven night covers overnight results in more stable product temperatures while a store is closed and for up to 15 hours the following day. Econofrost representative Jamie Orr says that in a matter of weeks, savings from improved energy efficiency can amount to more than the full cost of the Econofrost installation. Some utility company rebates for energy efficient technologies further improve a retail stores payback on investment.

See Econofrost at the Storepoint Event. Econofrost presents their energy saving night curtains to food industry executives at the highly focused StorePoint marketing event, January 13 to 16. The luxurious Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa  in San Antonio offers Texas hospitality to this year’s StorePoint trade event. Focused on self-service retail, the innovative program coordinates efficient meetings between retailers and suppliers seeking business partnerships.

General sessions at the StorePoint event focus this year on the challenges of change, designing green buildings, and the use of environmentally responsible products. Econofrost shows how night curtains significantly reduce energy expenditures in refrigerated display cases for rapid return on investment. Representative Jamie Orr said  it is not unusual for supermarkets to report energy savings worth the full cost of their new Econofrost installations in only a matter of weeks or a few months. Business entrepreneurs can inquire about retail merchandising solutions and opportunities to distribute Econofrost night covers.

Market Group Ventures, Inc., the parent corporation for Econofrost and Promolux Lighting International, is a world leader in providing retail technology solutions for merchandisers. Since 1975, Econofrost has made installations of over 250,000 thermal shields in over 25 countries. Econofrost night covers can be ordered in all standard sizes for new refrigerated display cabinets or for retrofits.

 Developing Countries

 The increased use of refrigeration technologies are improving the efficiency of fresh food distribution in developing countries as has long been the case in North America and Europe. Removal of field heat and better preservation of harvested crops stimulate agricultural production and commerce.  Fruit, flowers, vegetables, milk and meats can be stored for longer periods and distributed to more distant markets. Even highly perishable produce, fish and cold drinks are being kept fresher during transport and while stored on display shelves at their retail distribution points.

On the whole, developing countries focus more on increasing agricultural production than on preserving agricultural products. This explains why post-production losses are so high, whether in the field or during transport, storage and distribution, states Francois Billiard, Director of the International Institute of Refrigeration.  However, sophisticated refrigeration technologies are no longer exclusive to developed countries of Europe and North America. Developing countries in Latin America and Asia, particularly China where profound changes to the business climate are taking place and demands for energy is exploding, are advancing their food distribution networks with increasingly efficient refrigerated storage, transportation and display systems.

 Refrigeration is an appealing food preservation process, because it is one of the few that preserves the original properties of foodstuffs, says Billiard . Its main field of application is the preservation of foodstuffs of animal origin: meat, dairy and fishery products. However, the process is also used to freeze foodstuffs of plant origin, or to chill them, in which case the purpose is to extend their storage life, and to maintain their freshness. Refrigeration also opens up lucrative markets to developing countries for goods like tropical fruits and other produce that must be delivered fresh or not at all.

 Retail Food Preservation

 Progressive globalization is increasing the complexity of food delivery networks and is expanding demand for reliable and efficient food preservation systems. The food industry refers to systems delivering refrigerated foods to the consumer as the cold chain. The cold chain requires systems to be in place that ensure food is harvested, stored and distributed to retailers and consumers in ways that minimize spoilage at all stages.

 The retail outlet is often where the cold chain fails because open food display cabinets are subject to temperature fluctuations in the store environment or where ambient temperatures are very high as in tropical zones. However, the hours that stores are closed overnight can be used as a time to stabilize proper temperatures and protect food integrity and quality. Retail stores of all sizes can afford to significantly reduce energy waste by covering food display cabinets overnight with Econofrost night covers. It is a quick and easy operation to roll down the covers at the end of the day.

 Econofrost Protects Profit Margins

 Econofrost reflective night covers were created to improve the efficiency of refrigerated display systems at the retail level. Already established in the international marketplace, Econofrost technology offers simple and cost effective solutions to fresh food retailers wherever they are needed. The use of Econofrost thermal shields to cover refrigerated display cases overnight extends the shelf life of refrigerated foods and protects retail profit margins in the face of increasing energy costs. Installing Econofrost thermal shields is a simple, affordable way to save energy and decrease the load on older refrigeration equipment.

Econofrost has served the supermarket industry since 1975 and made over 250,000 installations in nearly 30 countries. Market Group Ventures, Inc., the parent corporation for Econofrost and Promolux Lighting International, is a world leader in providing retail technology solutions for merchandisers.

References

Energy efficient night covers for refrigerated display cabinets  

  November 5, 2007

 Western Grocer, a long-established Canadian retail publication, August edition, features Econofrost night covers in Whats Cool in Cooling.

 The article showcases Econofrost as an innovative technology for  refrigerated merchandising cases to help grocers protect their profit margins, leading the way to reduced energy expendures while maintaining food storage safety, customer satisfaction and profitability.  Western Grocers, Colleen Stewart noted that sales of Econofrost woven aluminum night covers for refrigerated product display cases are taking off globally in a big way. Jamie Orr, key account manager for Econofrost reports that new installations in perishable food merchandisers are saving more than the full cost of the Econofrost installation in a matter of weeks, with demonstrated payback periods of three to eighteen months when a store is closed a minimum of 60 hours a week.  How do Econofrost night curtains work? The benefits are accomplished overnight. Made from a woven heat reflective material, Econofrost night covers stabilize cool temperatures in open refrigeration cases to reduce energy consumption while a store is closed. Better temperature and humidity control prolongs the shelf life of refrigerated merchandise and decreases the energy load on refrigeration equipment.   Independent laboratory tests have proven direct energy savings of up to 36% during the hours used from lower heating and air conditioning costs. Econofrost night covers can be specified as an option from most manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment or ordered for retrofits.   Econofrost has served the supermarket industry since 1975 and made over 250,000 installations in nearly 30 countries. Market Group Ventures, Inc., the parent corporation for Econofrost and Promolux Lighting International, is a world leader in providing retail technology solutions for merchandisers.