{"id":3589,"date":"2025-02-03T06:39:18","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T11:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/?p=3589"},"modified":"2025-02-26T11:54:06","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T16:54:06","slug":"summit-appliance-a-home-appliance-manufacturer-based-in-the-bronx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/eternal\/summit-appliance-a-home-appliance-manufacturer-based-in-the-bronx-3589","title":{"rendered":"Summit Appliance, a home appliance manufacturer based in the Bronx"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Summit Appliance is a company that has been in the US market for more than 45 years. This is quite an advanced age, especially given that New York has gone through several difficult periods and commercial crises throughout the years. However, Summit Appliance&#8217;s management was able to discover the proper solutions to all of the challenges and keep the company&#8217;s narrow niche afloat during difficult times. We will explain how this company successfully navigated the challenges of fate and managed to stay afloat despite the turbulent times further in the article at <a href=\"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/uk\/\">bronx1.one<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0c20f2edc81\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0c20f2edc81\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/eternal\/summit-appliance-a-home-appliance-manufacturer-based-in-the-bronx-3589\/#Multiarget_audience_and_a_diverse_range_of_products\" >Multiarget audience and a diverse range of products<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/eternal\/summit-appliance-a-home-appliance-manufacturer-based-in-the-bronx-3589\/#The_problem_of_a_shortage_of_qualified_workers\" >The problem of a shortage of qualified workers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/eternal\/summit-appliance-a-home-appliance-manufacturer-based-in-the-bronx-3589\/#Choosing_the_main_niche_as_a_strategy_for_avoiding_decline\" >Choosing the main niche as a strategy for avoiding decline<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/eternal\/summit-appliance-a-home-appliance-manufacturer-based-in-the-bronx-3589\/#A_bold_strategy_engaging_the_homeless\" >A bold strategy engaging the homeless<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/eternal\/summit-appliance-a-home-appliance-manufacturer-based-in-the-bronx-3589\/#The_latest_innovation_from_Summit_Appliance\" >The latest innovation from Summit Appliance<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Multiarget_audience_and_a_diverse_range_of_products\"><\/span>Multiarget audience and a diverse range of products<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Summit Appliance is a part of Felix Storch, Inc. (FSI), which was founded in 1969 and specializes in the production of household appliances. The main production facility and offices are located in the Bronx. Additional warehouses are situated in Edison, New Jersey. Summit Appliance is an importer and manufacturer that supplies products from Europe, South America, North America and Asia. Many products are manufactured or modified directly in the Bronx facilities, making it a partner of the \u201cMade In NYC\u201d program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Summit Appliance offers a diverse range of residential and professional equipment, including gas, induction and electric stoves, wine cabinets, beer dispensers, dishwashers and more. However, the company&#8217;s primary focus is the manufacture and sale of refrigerators. There is no competition in this industry since the company&#8217;s selection of refrigeration equipment is extensive. In addition to standard household refrigerators of various sizes and models, Summit Appliance offers over 600 specialty refrigerators and freezers, including built-in countertops and designs that meet the American Disability Act (ADA) requirements, wine cooling cabinets, vaccine and drug refrigerators, industrial freezers and store refrigerators, low-temperature freezers and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Summit Appliance became the first company to introduce a mini-refrigerator to the American market back in 1970.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/ad_4nxd1ze-8a9isbk6n4of3xzmlhebb016lat5e4xbr3pyjd1h3si1z1umdpnfi74vny1hmeyykedlrjiicewg_jyclzm-dybonvy0kldyv-nklw9njh3g0dta3tr5ubsm65rh8aukakeyy689eni_nbnhai1dlywwbkub.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Summit equipment is available through large, specialized distributors as well as online stores in the United States and Canada. Deliveries to the northeastern region of the United States are usually handled by the company&#8217;s own fleet, while orders outside the region are delivered by regular carriers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_problem_of_a_shortage_of_qualified_workers\"><\/span>The problem of a shortage of qualified workers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite its excellent manufacturing performance and solid market position, Summit Appliance had to stand up to a significant challenge. The company&#8217;s CEO admitted that finding a sufficient number of qualified employees for the production of refrigerators is quite difficult. He pointed out that many Bronx school graduates are unable to complete even basic mathematical calculations and struggle to find the middle with a tape measure. If they make a mistake when drilling, it can result in the loss of a 500-dollar-worth refrigerator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/ad_4nxfuuhjkvsb5m4zl-icoejxgt3p2_mblylz8fld9irprry9tdhwiqcrxij23wvmxsniythdmrkaatoydbu9f-yagk9sxcd41iso5p7dxrgauw_hlz0whij2ugyeiyucmnmo__lxy2qkeyy689eni_nbnhai1dlywwbkub.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2010, the corporation was even prepared to make a hard and risky decision. Summit Appliance announced that it will be compelled to relocate a large amount of its production to Mexico and Connecticut. Management anticipated that outsourcing would have a detrimental impact on sales. Local production permits delivery in two days rather than two weeks. Customers often do not want to wait so long. Furthermore, certain transportation expenditures are imposed, and overall communication inside the organization becomes more problematic. However, the situation with personnel in the Bronx was critical. The issue necessitated some action. Summit Appliance management then committed around $375,000 to a training program for local workers to avoid outsourcing the business. In addition, the New York City Department of Small Business Services gave a grant of $245,000. As a result, Summit Appliance was able to resolve a problematic personnel situation and continue functioning in the Bronx.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;The grant was our optimistic way of seeing if we can work with the city and create not just jobs but put skills into people so we can grow in our own market,&#8221; said the director of Summit Appliance.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/ad_4nxdopivtwjsk7ytegdkjnszy3mgmspvsvuaisx5h7mgzjj1gizkfghonaxrwc6r6b6dq-se0x-pavb32q2kqjaypj1whkiiovzsejxz89m8qnon_lwadqajy-nwoyiu1lgcptlgmkeyy689eni_nbnhai1dlywwbkub.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choosing_the_main_niche_as_a_strategy_for_avoiding_decline\"><\/span>Choosing the main niche as a strategy for avoiding decline<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another challenge Summit Appliance faced along the way was the rapid decline in the manufacturing sector in New York City in the 2000s. At the time, employment in the industry began to decline dramatically. According to the New York State Department of Labor, it nearly halved in a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the time, labor market analyst James Brown stated that manufacturers that provide specialized services have a higher chance of surviving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;The best prospects in a somewhat dreary picture are industries that do niche manufacturing and serve local needs, like companies that make artisan breads for local restaurants, and things that can\u2019t be produced in China or put on a ship,&#8221; he stated.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Summit Appliance, which began operation as a distributor of household appliances, realized that it was necessary to decide on the main niche and develop in that direction. As a result, the company grew into a manufacturer and importer of specialized products for commercial and residential use, with a focus on refrigeration equipment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/ad_4nxd3wvkjl4dxjbzugie_diwg1-8kiy_5spwgocfmum5bgwoj_xg_7qlmivnave4yooh9h0k8puz7lwr4sivvhsniqyyegav_09qxlqe1pn3n1vg5qt9bmy5ccrp1zvqx_pm7osq2bqkeyy689eni_nbnhai1dlywwbkub.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The manager of one of the retailers, Gringer &amp; Sons in Manhattan&#8217;s East Village, which sells 300 Summit refrigerators annually, observed that the opportunity to swiftly obtain non-standard refrigerators is a benefit for his firm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;It\u2019s better for us that they produce them in New York. There is less trucking and less we have to worry about. Without them here, we would have to wait a week or two for orders and would risk more damages from shipping. It would be a nightmare.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/ad_4nxdcrfnwiaspiddg0s0trtxa1i1ty1ad_ni9sxy1v6r81uurzpi7xqolssythw_ssvkr4jptq8wcqhx5wy3r6oexgal7zhf1scst0erzjbfznw8h12s-n8kmbm84nzmyafdn4dlybwkeyy689eni_nbnhai1dlywwbkub.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_bold_strategy_engaging_the_homeless\"><\/span>A bold strategy engaging the homeless<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2006, Summit Appliance has been training its employees in partnership with the New York City Department of Small Business Services. Then it helped supply the corporation with competent workers, but employee turnover continued to disrupt smooth, well-coordinated work. Students were becoming increasingly disinterested in manual labor professions, as everyone aspired to establish a career in IT and other modern industries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, Summit Appliance began collaborating with the non-profit group Jericho Project, which provides housing and employment assistance for the homeless. Jericho organizes seminars and trainings, evaluates candidates before suggesting them and keeps in touch with the company to guarantee their compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/ad_4nxc9g-h14p_fewy7tjd1-35et302m4mqlvk0ysgf48d9fgjm0t23cvom4d18ozagx2u1xeiet5gdw8tbhxfkgtoalopog4ae2mxoejwnpvzfdtvche52qj20znrztv6mg17jecstrgkeyy689eni_nbnhai1dlywwbkub.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Read more about community farming centers in the Bronx in the <a href=\"https:\/\/bronxname.com\/uk\/eternal-1934-gromadski-fermerski-czentry-bronksa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">article<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Summit Appliance attracted 28 homeless New Yorkers over a two-year period, with half of them veterans. These personnel were given starter positions in delivery, warehouse and manufacturing, with a higher minimum salary, benefits and career opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the employees, 54-year-old Army veteran Aaron Jenkins, struggled following an accident and became homeless. After meeting with a Jericho representative and completing his training, he got a job at Summit Appliance. He was hired as a mechanic with an hourly wage of $8.50, and he was later promoted to inventory manager, earning $12 per hour. Jenkins was able to rent his own apartment and start saving for retirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_latest_innovation_from_Summit_Appliance\"><\/span>The latest innovation from Summit Appliance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Summit Appliance frequently pleases consumers with technological innovations. In the fall of 2024, a new series of beer dispensers was presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The innovative Summit Floating Tap series of kegerators features a separate set of taps that can be readily installed without breaking the integrity of the countertop. The beer tube enters through a hole in the upper half of the kegerator and connects to taps that are temporarily mounted on the table using special adhesive strips. Kegerators also come with a cap for the tap opening and inside shelves, allowing them to function as ordinary refrigerators. There is at least 2 inches between the kegerator and the countertop. Thanks to the floating tap, there is no need to alter the surface of the countertop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/ad_4nxcd6iplaygc4bsq9amjil2unuhxggq_zfe7stj15cmxmls4tynwp_ha-chci85mcahjuma_uwqi0cdzrbkc1mcmw0q-a1u-adhscsryua-ciutqlwhlhlwc7uprhvlx60d8ksoj2wkeyy689eni_nbnhai1dlywwbkub.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Home bars feel incomplete without kegerators, but many homeowners are reluctant to drill through their marble or granite countertops to fit the tower. We developed the Floating Tap so that you can have a real built-in kegerator under your counter without making any complicated, expensive and permanent alterations,&#8221; stated the CEO of Summit Appliance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Summit also offers a series of kegerators with front taps that can be accessible via the device&#8217;s door. This unique design saves space and makes using the kegerator easier because there is no need to reach over the countertop to pour beer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both types, floating and front tap, are 24 inches wide and can be utilized with regular or lower-level ADA-compliant countertops. These kegerators, manufactured in Europe and modified at Summit factories in the United States, meet commercial ETL-S and NSF-7 standards while also being certified for residential use. All models also include taps for serving wine, iced coffee and nitro coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronx1.one\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2025\/02\/ad_4nxeqwnrgcc_zykjbldypiovgpubxjshfrujkc3fv4mfuzbxjthkavlozs56tzsb7q9kgxnihrbz7aog8jnvkasoas_xgcny2djbenyj2zncnsxnoo6gyvdrblsk0jzjkavita11slgkeyy689eni_nbnhai1dlywwbkub.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Read about another well-known businessman from the Bronx and his profitable company in the <a href=\"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/uk\/eternal\/istoriya-uspishnogo-biznesmena-z-bronksu-llojda-blankfejna-2469\">article<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summit Appliance is a company that has been in the US market for more than 45 years. This is quite an advanced age, especially given that New York has gone through several difficult periods and commercial crises throughout the years. However, Summit Appliance&#8217;s management was able to discover the proper solutions to all of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":333,"featured_media":3052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1164],"tags":[2059,2061,2062,2063,2067,2054,2056,2060,2057,2055,2064,2058,2066,2065],"motype":[1158],"moformat":[93],"moimportance":[78,81],"class_list":{"0":"post-3589","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"tag-ada-compliant-appliances","9":"tag-built-in-cooktops","10":"tag-compact-refrigerators","11":"tag-energy-efficient-appliances","12":"tag-home-appliance-manufacturer","13":"tag-medical-refrigeration","14":"tag-outdoor-kitchen-appliances","15":"tag-refrigeration-solutions","16":"tag-small-kitchen-appliances","17":"tag-specialty-appliances","18":"tag-summit-appliance-2","19":"tag-summit-appliance-history","20":"tag-summit-freezers","21":"tag-undercounter-refrigerators","22":"motype-eternal","23":"moformat-longrid-korotka","24":"moimportance-golovna-novina","25":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori"},"modified_by":"Inna Hananova","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3589","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/333"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3589"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3589\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3592,"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3589\/revisions\/3592"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3589"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3589"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3589"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronx1.one\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}