Around the Industry

Online Ordering and Account Management Available From Torino
Torino is pleased to announce the completion of its integrated on line ordering and account management system.This program now allows clients to manage their own account, place orders on line, view products, prices and sometimes images of products and availability. Torino general manager Paul Carageorge says the feature is available to all accredited Torino clients who have completed approved credit applications and have established regular buying patterns. Customers will need an email account, (not with hotmail) to receive order confirmations and access Torino’s on site server. Orders placed by internet will normally be delivered next day subject to route schedules. The advantages are numerous for the client, including budgeting; price a quality comparison between suppliers, account management. Products can be searched for by code or name, invoices can be displayed and copies printed, statements, credits and any other account transaction can be viewed, copied and examined online. Any client wishing to take advantage of this feature will be given instructions and tuition by our sales staff or their account representative.

Beech Ovens Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Beech Ovens recently hosted a celebration of 20 years in business and PMQ’s Pizza Australia was invited to help toast the occasion in Sydney Harbour during the Fine Foods Show. It was a great time onboard the Aussie Venture as we cruised the harbour and got to meet the staff and learn more about the company and the brothers who make Beech the company it is. Renowned for their ability to redesign traditional cooking equipment using the latesttechnology for the modern commercial kitchen, Beech Ovens core business is designing and manufacturing spectacular stone hearth cooking equipment for luxury hotels, restaurants, cruise ships and casinos.

Originating from a traditional Refractory Engineering family business, Beech Ovens came about by accident, when in 1989 they were asked to build a pizza oven from a photo. In their unique way, they set about to fulfil the clients request and the rest, as they say, is history, as the family realised they had fallen on an opportunity to enhance the refractory engineering business. Spear headed by three brothers, Brett Beech – Director of Sales & Marketing, Bob Beech – Director of Operations and Chris Beech – Director of Finance, the business evolved and PMQ is honoured to congratulate them on 20 years of success.

Rain Needed to Prevent Higher Food Prices
From an article by Isobel Drake featured on web site by PMQ editorial partner Australian Food News (www.ausfoodnews.com.au/). New South Wales Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, has advised that higher food prices over Christmas can be expected if rain is not forthcoming over the coming fortnight.

Mr Macdonald yesterday said that the drought situation in the state remained alarming despite a slight improvement in the latest drought figures - which showed 63.9 per cent of NSW was in drought.

As a result, key crops such as canola, wheat and barley are under pressure.

“If we don’t get some reasonable rainfall over the next fortnight or so, many of these crops will be turned out to livestock for fodder purposes,” the Minister told reporters. “And it will mean, of course, a reduction in the total production when it’s harvested later this year.”

“If we get substantial shortfalls in production this year … food prices over the Christmas period could be under some pressure.”