AutoQuotes recently welcomed Walter Trapp, a product specialist for Groen to the AQ office for a 3E Forum. The 3E Forum is a program designed specifically for AQ manufacturers and publishers to “educate,” “engage” and “exchange” with the AutoQuotes team. Walter spent time with AQ’s content, media, product management, marketing, and customer support teams to learn more about all AutoQuotes offers its publishers as well as share perspectives on the FES industry.
Walter arrived for Groen’s 3E with a goal of learning more about ways to optimize Groen’s published content to ensure he is using AutoQuotes as a tool for his customers.
Groen, a division of Unified Brands, is headquartered in Conyers, GA, with manufacturing operations in Michigan, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Unified Brands recently announced that it would expand operations in Mississippi to streamline production on its standard and configured products that include Groen braising pans, kettles, steamers, and combi ovens as well as CapKold, a line of cook-chill production systems.
Groen is also extending that streamlined approach to its product development. AutoQuotes heard a lot at The NRA Show this year about continuing workforce challenges like high turnover and training expenses for restaurant operators. Addressing those customer pain points, Groen is focused on reducing the complexity of cooking equipment to simplify operations without sacrificing quality.
“Groen’s braising pans and steam jacketed kettles are equipped with pre-set low and high temps along with a digital timer – advance control only - and features to promote consistency in the kitchen,” says Walter. “A customer that comes into a restaurant on Tuesday should get the same high-quality meal as a customer who comes in on Thursday or Friday regardless of who prepared it. This functionality supports that consistency.”
In the digital age, customers need and expect to have fewer manual processes in and out of the kitchen. Walter appreciates his customers need to work efficiently operating Groen’s cooking equipment but also have quick access to product information. This year, Groen prioritized making its website more user-friendly and resource-based for customers and end users.
“Everyone consumes information differently, but nothing is more effective than a strong visual,” said Walter. “We’re using augmented reality, so customers can visualize Groen products in their kitchens making their decisions easier. In terms of providing decision-making information, AutoQuotes has even more capabilities than I realized.”
In a competitive marketplace, AutoQuotes is a tool for manufacturers and Walter recognizes the opportunities the AQ Catalog presents regarding visibility. After an in-depth content and media review and training with the customer support team, Walter identified opportunities to expand media content especially with 360-degree photography capabilities in the AQ Catalog.
– Walter Trapp
“AutoQuotes is a platform to showcase what Groen has to offer and differentiate Groen in a competitive marketplace,” says Walter. “We want to make sure that we are maximizing AQ’s capabilities so that we can present our products accurately and with all the information and detail our current customer and future customers will find useful.”
Walter’s feedback on his 3E Forum experience?
“There’s not always time during a busy workday to focus on each piece of content and media for so many products but having this program available provides an opportunity for Groen to not only maximize our usage of AutoQuotes but serve our customers better.”
We want to thank Walter for visiting AutoQuotes. 3E Forums are available to all AQ publishers on a first-come, first served basis from April through October. We host the Forums at the AutoQuotes office in Jacksonville, Florida. AQ publishers can contact their AQ Content Account Manager to learn more about creating a 3E Forum experience.
