Join us for a conversation with Insinger, the leading edge of commercial dishwasher innovation and technology from Philadelphia and a proud partner of Standart Issue 33.
What motivated Insinger to undertake the rebranding process in conjunction with its 130th anniversary?
Insinger has always been on the leading edge of warewashing innovation. Although our dishwashing heritage is extensive, it is important that our product line and message appeal to a modern, more discerning consumer. Our customers, like many readers of Standart, are entrepreneurial, astute, knowledgeable, and most importantly, pioneering. It is important we connect with these individuals as they are looking for new solutions to unique café concepts.
How does Insinger envision the dishwashing industry evolving in the future, and how does the company plan to adapt to these changes?
We see three major evolutions occurring. The first is automation. Like consumer electronics and the software industry, specialty coffee has always embraced new technologies—from farm to cup. We believe drastic declines in the cost of automation will enable more café operators to apply these technologies to their businesses. Second, we see café culture evolving to match changing consumer behaviours. Younger consumers want less human interaction with more tech integration (i.e. interactive point of sale systems with quiet delivery) while older clientele demand more human involvement (i.e. traditional service with more staff engagement). We are developing systems to address these demands. Finally, green business has become good business. Cafés realize that post-consumer waste is expensive, inefficient, and detracts from their brand. There is a big difference between being served a beverage in a ceramic cup versus a paper cup. Cafés—particularly in America—are rethinking reusables, and it is being driven by the biggest names in foodservice. We applaud it.
Could you explain the advantages of high-temperature dishwashers over lower-temperature alternatives in terms of sanitation and cleaning efficacy?
High-temperature dishwashers recirculate wash water during the cleaning cycle and then add fresh, hot, potable water at the end of the rinse cycle to sanitize. Low temperature dishwashers fill the tank from empty at the start of each cycle and use chemicals (primarily chlorine derivatives) to sanitize. At the end of the cycle, low-temperature dishwashers completely evacuate the contents—water and chemicals go down the drain—and refill with fresh water and fresh chemicals for the next cycle. Consequently, high-temperature dishwashers use drastically less chemical and water but use slightly more electricity to maintain temperatures. Low-temperature dishwashers use significantly more water and chemicals—some of which can be toxic—but require less energy to operate. Insinger manufactures high-temperature dishwashers for this very reason.
We are curious about what the product development process looks like for dishwashing appliances such as the CADET. Could you walk us through the stages and key considerations involved in bringing these products to market? Also, how do you prioritize customer needs and implement customer feedback in the design process in general?
It may sound humorous, but a product as simple as a professional dishwasher can take years to develop. Everything is considered: customer requirements, operator use, safety, environmental impact, manufacturing methods, differentiating features, lifecycle costs, etc. Product development is straightforward: the entire team sits down, reviews the product scope and programme, develops deliverables and a timeline, and then works together as a team from start to finish. It is a very exciting and rewarding process. Customer feedback is invaluable. If we do not consider client needs, then we will have a product no one requires. We are lucky to have so many owner-operators who use Insinger products in their businesses on a daily basis—and in some cases, they know our products better than us. They have made us who we are today, and it is why we work tirelessly to meet and exceed their expectations.
This interview was published in proud partnership with Insinger.
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