Research by the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry (MAFSI) showed that overall sales grew by 4.7% compared with the same quarter last year, up from 2.9% in Q4 2014.
MAFSI said regional variations persisted across North America, ranging from 6% in the Midwest to 3% in the “trailing Northeast”. There was 5.1% growth in Canada and 4.3% in the South.
Overall sales for North America by product group varied from 5.6% growth table top, 5% in both equipment and supply, and a paltry 0.4% in furniture.
MAFSI said, “With solid sales gains and future prospects, Reps, dealers, consultants, and manufacturers are all in an expansion mode to handle increased business.
“The pipeline is surely filling, lead times are growing, companies are hiring, R&D spending and new product launches are increasing, and expectations are raised. This might be the best market we have seen in the 13-year history of the MAFSI Foodservice Equipment Business Barometer.”
Ellie Clayton
