What do you see on the horizon in 2018?
Greg Veale: We’re seeing a lot more demand for hygienic surfaces and design in the back-of-house areas. This could be from the outbreaks of food poisoning that were all over the news last year. Franchises seem willing to spend a little more to have a more sanitary environment.
Briefly describe one new product or innovation your company has introduced this past year.
GV: Many people think we just make floors, but we manufacture walls as well. Our latest innovation is a wall panel product called Altro Puraguard. It’s designed for back-of-house areas, is easy to install and creates a hygienic environment. It’s made from PVC, and is more durable, easier to clean, safer and hygienic. It’s both an economic and practical solution. Our wall products also work in conjunction with ours and other floors to create a complete system.
How are you able to serve the larger scale requirements associated with a chain re-design rollout or a new concept design?
GV: We realize it’s difficult for a chain to change their design, both in the physical aspect of building it and the financial aspect in funding it. Altro Puraguard was made to be easily installed by anyone that can install drywall and Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) wall panels, and is competitively priced to those options as well.
As many chains – and other restaurants, for that matter – are realizing the need for better hygiene, we wanted to create a solution that, through simple installation and cost-effectiveness, could easily be implemented throughout its locations.
When specifying a kitchen wall product for a new restaurant what are the most important considerations to address?
GV: Much like floors, kitchen walls have specific needs. Are your walls strong enough to withstand the impact of a drink cart? The double-doors leading to the kitchen slamming open with every order? Are they easily cleaned when food splatters? When you specify wall products for kitchens, you need to cover everything that could potentially happen to them.
A classic solution is to use Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) wall panels, but what most don’t realize is that when these are damaged, glass fibers become airborne. These can be breathed in by employees, and even fall into prepared food! There’s no such issue with PVC, and that’s one of the reasons why Altro Puraguard is becoming the in-demand wall protection of choice for kitchens and food preparation areas.
Read on Restaurant Development + Design
