2022 Dealers of the Year Announced
Steamericas is happy to announce 2022 Dealers of the Year. As Steamericas dealer network grows, we would like to recognize dealers who go above and beyond to push the Optima Steamer brand and provide superior service to the Optima customers. Please congratulate the following dealers for their efforts and performance in recent years.
This year’s recipients have been chosen primarily based on the performance in 2021.
Most Decorated Dealer of the Year goes to Carson Equipment of Portland, Oregon.
This category is awarded to a dealer who has exceeded the quota and strives for the best customer experience (both sales and service). Under the leadership of the former owner, Mark Hagg, American Equipment Company was the pioneer who introduced the Optima Steamer to wineries in the Northwest. Since American Equipment Company has become Carson Equipment after a merger, it experienced staffing challenges as we all have in the recent years. We asked Jeff Cooper of Carson Equipment how the company came ahead of these challenges while excelling in sales performance and customer service.
“We proactively recruited and hired an experienced service technician from a different state. We have been focusing on implementing and selling PM programs and OEM installations.” Jeff mentioned that by staying with manufacturer recommendations, all parties involved can save time and efforts in maintaining the equipment for the long run. “As a company, we try to stay agile and flexible in order to meet customers’ needs by coming up with creative programs.” He reiterated that having committed staff and teamwork is truly the recipe for success.
Rising Star of the Year goes to Sinclair Cleaning Systems of Ontario, Canada.
This award goes to a dealer who has exceeded the quota and shown the most increase in sales in a short period of time. Sinclair Cleaning Systems has become Steamericas dealer since 2014. We have been through ups and downs, and Sinclair has made a big comeback in 2021 despite the unpredictable supply and logistics chain worldwide. We asked the owner, Hugh Sinclair, how he was able to increase sales of the Optima during this uncertain time.
“We were able to increase the sale last year thanks to the availability of Optima Steamer machines. Everyone got hit by logistical challenges, but Steamericas has been able to have relatively steady inventory (during the pandemic). When there is no stock, we can’t make sales even if there is a customer waiting. We focused on product lines that had steady supply, and we evidently increased sales for the Optima Steamer. I believe in steam. More people want to use less chemicals to clean. We are committed to introducing steam in Ontario.”
Pioneer of the Year goes to Great Lakes Hotsy of Lansing, Illinois.
This recognition is awarded to a dealer who has shown significant sales to a new/emerging market. From the very beginning of the partnership with Steamericas, Great Lakes Hotsy saw the potential of dry steam outside the automotive industry. From HVAC to food and non-food processing and packaging plants, Great Lakes Hotsy pitched the Optima Steamer to, and many turned into sales. We asked Andy Huizenga how he identifies the need for dry steam among his customers and prospects.
“My first experience using an Optima Steamer in a food plant came from a customer request looking into a way to remove mold and other bacteria from the evaporator coils in their meat processing areas. Their current method was using hot water pressure washers to this point but the coils were getting heavily damaged and they were still having mold issues. I had recently sold an XE to a local hospital for removing debris from their rooftop HVAC coils and knew this would work. While at the meat processor I asked about any other areas in the plant they were having issues with bacteria growth. I learned that while the floors in the building had been epoxied they were having issues with bacteria growth around the floor drains. After cleaning with their disinfectants they still could not get favorable bacteria readings. After months of working on the problem then found the bacteria was growing underneath the epoxy and leaching out. After inquiring into the temperature rating of the epoxy we simply steamed for floors around the drains for 1-2 minutes and found very favorable results.” He also shared that the Optima shines where powdered products are packaged because the moisture level in the air is highly regulated. For example, dry steam is able to remove excess glue from packaging equipment easily without elevating the room’s moisture level. His best advice to fellow Optima Steamer dealers is “to just ask the customers what their biggest sanitation problems are. Many companies are starting to no longer want to use chemicals as their main sources for sanitizing and the Optima Steamer can easily fill this need.”
Brand Ambassador of the Year goes to Dwayne Jacobs of Hotsy Carlson in Texas.
This recognition is awarded to a dealer or an individual employed by a dealer who promotes Steamericas products and brand tirelessly through social media, dealer referrals or trade shows. Dwayne Jacobs is arguably one of the biggest advocates of the Optima Steamer in the country, at least in the state of Texas! As a leading sales rep assigned to Steamericas products for Hotsy Carlson, he has assisted us with countless trade shows and firmly believes that trade shows are still vital for product marketing in this digital age. With the recent boom of the winery industry in Texas, he has been busy following industry events in the region.
“Trade shows are important in every business but especially in the winery/vineyard industry. I like the fact that you can connect with your existing customers in a more relaxed environment so that you can have a real conversation. New and upcoming wineries are there to find products and talk to experienced winemakers. It’s a perfect time to introduce our products and get in on the ground floor with their contractors.”