RM Online - Perk up your rentals with coffee makers

In the party rental industry, which is driven as much or more than any other industry by ever-evolving product trends, you wouldn't automatically think of coffee makers as "products of innovation."

But if you look a little closer, some of the larger trends affecting the party rental industry have provided rental dealers with some interesting choices to make, even with such an event staple.

Tom Bergman, president of MK Party Specialist, based in Lincolnwood, Ill., has seen some significant changes recently in the kinds of products rental dealers and their customers are asking for. "One of the major party rental trends right now is a strong move toward elegance in all kinds of functions, from weddings to corporate events. This trend has strongly affected coffee-service equipment, as caterers and the people paying them want more elegantly dressed-up coffee makers."

MK carries the West Bend line of coffee makers, and the most popular product for the rental industry is the polished stainless-steel percolators in 55- and 100-cup varieties.

West Bend, based in West Bend, Wis., makes several large-capacity coffee makers ideal for the rental market. The coffee urns/party perks are available in a variety of capacities. Features include a two-way dripless faucet, cool-tip filter basket, water level markings and an "on" light.

The West Bend Institutional Perks line is suited for commercial use. New to the large-capacity coffee maker line is a 55-cup stainless-steel urn. It is also available as a 45-cup water boiler.

There are two event scenarios Bergman sees for use of coffee makers. "One is when a caterer uses a percolator in the kitchen facility for preparing the coffee behind the scenes. Then they use some kind of polished stainless-steel warmer/server at the buffet and serving tables," he said.

The other is using a polished stainless-steel percolator that also doubles as a self-service dispenser once the coffee is brewed. Farberware pioneered this kind of percolator/server. West Bend and Regal are also popular brands.

"We're seeing more kitchen-based percolators used in the rental industry," Bergman said. "They are usually rented to large caterers who then also rent the elegant servers for a more classy look."

One maker who has decided to enter the market is Supply Side, based in Atlanta. "I suggested that we get into 55- and 100-cup coffee makers because I knew from experience that these were excellent rental items," said Donna Godbee, office manager. "It's a staple we really should have had a long time ago, and we noticed a good deal of interest at last February's [Annual A.R.A. Convention and Rental Trade Show]."

David Wasserman, vice president, sales, for Dura-Ware Co. of America, based in New York, agrees that for weddings and more high-end events, brewing and holding products go hand-in-hand in the party rental industry. In fact, he is also quick to point out that you can't really discuss renting coffee makers without making sure you have suitable warming devices for all occasions.

For example, just as tent-oriented events have become a huge market, so, too, has equipment used to keep beverages warm. "The Starbucks chain really sort of spurred this market when they started using air pots," Wasserman said.

Created to keep beverages warm (or cold, for that matter), they also serve the important function of not cooking the beverage any more. "Coffee burns after 20 minutes on the burner after it is finished, so many times the large percolator/server products keep cooking the coffee and spoiling the flavor. With the air pot, you have a vacuum glass liner with no heating element."

This is the idea behind the large plastic servers that you typically see at the serving table under a tent. They are great for transporting coffee and for use as backups. Companies like Cambro and Carlisle offer these products, and they are widely used in the party rental market.

"They're perfect for tent events or for such things as family reunions or company picnics," Wasserman said. "The key is that these events typically are not formal, so the utilitarian design does not harm the ambience."

Cambro Manufacturing Co., based in Huntington Beach, Calif., offers its Camtainers, which come in 10 different colors and have a vertical design that assures optimum temperature maintenance. The units are also corrosion free, and dent- and scratch-resistant. Oklahoma City-based Carlisle Cos. also offers a range of insulated beverage servers. The coffee server comes complete with a condiment caddy and stainless-steel cup dispenser, which holds 4- to 12-ounce cups. Colors are brown, rose, slate and tan.

Another trend perhaps spurred by coffee shops like Starbucks is the use of shakers to offer more than just coffee at events. Typically, shakers are plastic and are used for condiments such as powdered sugar, cinnamon or other spices typically used in coffee.

Although both Wasserman and Bergman agree they haven't seen these products used often in the rental industry, that is changing, as flavored coffees have become so popular. Hollywood also has a hand in this trend when you consider how many situation comedies are set in coffeehouses or bookstores (e.g., Friends and Ellen) where there are more coffee makers than you can shake a spoon at.