Commercial Refrigeration: The Core of Ray’s Apple Market
Ray’s Apple Market, a testament to enduring customer service, has strategically upgraded its commercial refrigeration systems, reinforcing its commitment to quality. Founded on the principle of treating customers right, Ray Floersch established the market in 1965, driven by his dissatisfaction with previous employer practices. Over five decades later, his son Mike continues this legacy, emphasizing strong partnerships. “We have a partnership with our customers. We want our customers to trust us. That’s how I feel about Zero Zone: they’re a partner. They trust me, and I trust them,” Mike states, highlighting the mutual trust developed during the 2017 commercial refrigeration installation.
The market’s focus on perishables, stemming from the Associated Wholesale Grocers’ “Apple” merchandising approach, necessitated advanced commercial refrigeration solutions. “We feel like that’s where we need to be the best… perishables. You can buy groceries about anywhere today, but if we have the freshest meat, freshest produce, people will shop with you,” Mike explains. He opted for the open Reveal Merchandiser™ for produce, recognizing its superior presentation, and transitioned to Zero Zone reach-in cases for other products. “I was a little nervous about putting things behind doors, but I’m so glad I have,” Mike admits, praising the LED lighting and tall doors for enhancing product visibility within their new commercial refrigeration setup.
A significant benefit of the Zero Zone commercial refrigeration upgrade was the substantial reduction in energy consumption. By replacing individual compressor units with two centralized rack systems, Ray’s Apple Market dramatically lowered its monthly energy bill. “As the months went along, we could see our kilowatt [usage] lowering. I’m thinking we’re going to be looking at about a 20,000 kilowatt drop, which is about a 25% drop in energy usage,” Mike reports. “Zero Zone helped us cut our energy costs, which we can pass on to our customers.”
Furthermore, the store streamlined its refrigerant usage, moving from multiple refrigerants, including outdated R-12, to a single, more efficient R-448A. This decision was influenced by evolving EPA regulations and installation costs. “The copper tubing was smaller. When we compared the lines we took out to what we put in, it was almost like, ‘Really? Is this going to work?’ And it’s been great,” Mike says, expressing satisfaction with the new commercial refrigeration system’s performance.
Mike also praised the Zero Zone sales representative’s dedication, highlighting their presence during every installation phase. “I do not have to buy from Zero Zone, but when I get the kind of response they give me, then I’m sold,” Mike concludes, emphasizing the value of Zero Zone’s exceptional customer service and the quality of their commercial refrigeration solutions.