Blog Layout
Maumee Valley Group : 75 Years of Success

Avanti Operator Spotlight Interview – Maumee Valley Group

We spoke with Operations Manager Jacob Plassman, a third-generation employee of Maumee Valley Group, to find out how they have sustained company success for 75 years and what inspires them for the future.

Who they are: Maumee Valley Group is a leading food service provider focused on being the BEST

  • Founded in 1946, based in Defiance OH and celebrating its 75th year this year!
  • 2020 Avanti Operator of the Year Winner
  • A multi-generational, family-owned and operated company
  • More than 450 markets in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana
  • Double-digit year-over-year growth since 2013, and including during/since the pandemic

 

Question:  Can you tell us more about your company’s history, and its main focus?

Maumee Valley Group was initially founded in 1946 in Napoleon, Ohio, but moved to Defiance, Ohio within its first few years. My grandfather, Donald Plassman, essentially ran Maumee Valley Group from the 1940’s to the 1990’s, and eventually purchased the company. Now my father, Todd Plassman, owns the company, and he and my brother and I all work here.

It’s funny that you asked about my title, because my brother and I joke about it all the time. We don’t actually have official titles, but effectively work as operations managers, so that’s what we call ourselves. We aren’t really hung up on titles around here!

Our company provides vending services and workplace food services like cafeteria and hot food service and coffee service, but our bread and butter was mainly vending up until about 10 years ago.

Question:  How did you come to work with Avanti?

While it wasn’t my project, I came into this business right around the same time that we started working with Avanti and introduced micro markets throughout our territory, in 2012. My dad really led the initiative to explore the emerging micro market trend and chose Avanti. He knew, and we knew, that vending had been around so long without changing very much. It was old and becoming obsolete, and we knew there had to be something better.

We chose Avanti because we saw them as the micro market leader, the one with the largest market share, and the one that was the most cutting edge. They are very proactive in spotting and evaluating trends in our market – trends we need to know about. And they are fast at pioneering and adopting improvements and product enhancements. This helps us to stay on top of things and serve our customers well.

Question:  What makes Avanti a good partner for Maumee Valley Group?

They are so proactive, in so many ways! Avanti has had a hand in all the trends coming into the industry. They are never caught off guard; they seem to know which trends to run with and which to reject.

We have to stay on top of these same trends, because our customers always want things to change and improve; they are always looking for the latest and greatest. Avanti helps us stay as cutting edge as possible, which has helped us grow.

Question:  What advice would you give a new Avanti operator just starting out?

Focus on the quality of the product you’re putting out, not the quantity. If you put out a good product and quality service, customers recognize it. Your reputation will then help you brand and market yourself, earning word-of-mouth and referrals instead of needing to sink a ton of money into advertising. It creates a domino effective in helping you build your business!

We spend very little on paid advertising. We’ve been able to grow by double digits pretty much every year through referrals and word-of-mouth. Being a smaller company – or at least having a small company mindset – we pride ourselves in doing a stand-up job and earning our customers’ referrals and repeat business.

Question:  What do you love most about your company and what you do?

I love that Maumee Valley Group is forward-thinking and not closed minded. We are always willing to reinvent ourselves and change when its needed. In fact, most of our weekly meetings are mostly to brainstorm and come up with new ideas and improvements. We are always trying new things and continually improving the customer experience so we can make ourselves the best option for our customers.

As far as what I do – I love my job so much that I pretty much talk about it all the time, just ask my wife! I’m excited to do things that better the company – improving processes, getting more customers, providing more value to our customers, and moving the company forward each year. In fact, we have a saying in our company:

“If you’re not growing, you’re shrinking.”

"We always work hard to move the ball forward, we’re never complacent. Even though we’ve had amazing growth and we have been around for 75 years, we still have a startup mentality. It’s energizing to be always pushing forward as quickly as we can." 

-Maumee Valley Group

Jacob Plassman, Operations Manager

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

Interested In A Spotlight Article for Your Business?
Contact Us Here:

Workplace Micro Markets vs. Restaurant Take Out and Delivery

29 Sep, 2023
The effects and reality of COVID-19 changed the workplace for now and into the foreseeable future. One of the biggest concerns for employers is how to keep employees safer while at work, including reducing the need for workers to come and go during the course of their workday.

Avanti Markets Introduces New Kiosk Option

29 Sep, 2023
New Auxiliary Kiosk provides more flexibility for market operators and host locations.

Should We Keep Our Micro Market with Fewer Employees at Work?

29 Sep, 2023
Whether you have had employees on furlough or working from home, chances are that your workplace turned into a bit of a ghost town when COVID-19 rules forced your operation to adapt. You may still have only a fraction of the number of employees coming to your physical location to work right now.

Why You Should Open a Micro Market Business Right Now

29 Sep, 2023
Even before COVID-19 changed the restaurant and retail landscape in 2020, micro markets were growing at a nearly unprecedented rate due to: increasing consumer demand micro market operator earning potential versatility of micro market options underserved markets which represent opportunity for entrepreneurs ever-evolving micro market technology and capabilities Micro market revenues grew nearly $1B between 2016-2019, climbing to a record high $26B in revenues in only two years. We believe there has never been a more exciting time to become a micro market operator , and here are five reasons why, including the benefits of partnering with Avanti Markets on your micro market business. 5 Reasons to Open an Avanti Micro Market Business Right Now 1. Consumer Demand and Preferences The growth of micro markets is not just about the consumer’s demand for food and beverages. Micro markets answer consumer preferences in many areas, especially now in the aftermath of COVID-19 and its impacts to food service. Micro markets answer the consumer’s growing demand for convenience, self-service, and touchless payments, especially among younger consumers (and a younger workforce). Micro market technology enables unattended retail as a food service solution that can be placed in nearly any setting, such as: Office buildings, lobbies, and corporate campuses Colleges, universities, high schools, and other educational institutions Hospitals, medical buildings, medical office parks, etc. Airports, train stations, bus stations, and other commuter facilities Hotels and motels Adjacent to (or in place of) traditional cafeterias Resorts, arenas, stadiums, convention centers, entertainment venues Neighborhood convenience retail locations Automobile service and sales facilities Today’s COVID-19 era consumer also demands food safety and security. Micro markets offer safer, smarter vending solutions where foods and beverages are safely stored, minimally handled, and where inventory can be managed in real time to avoid shortages and respond to demand. The size and type of items which could be dispensed by traditional vending machines limited their ability to satisfy the needs of consumers who are increasingly aware of the benefits of eating healthy. Micro markets and intelligent vending solutions are not constrained in the same way, and so they are able to deliver access to the healthy, fresh foods that consumers want from food service solutions in retail and employment settings. 
What is a micro market?

What is a Micro Market?

29 Sep, 2023
Micro markets are popping up through the country and transforming traditional breakrooms with food and beverage options through choice and versatility combined with a perfect blend of technology for ease and functionality.

Food at Work Part 4: Contactless Options For the Workplace - Office Coffee Included

29 Sep, 2023
PART 4 OF A SERIES CONTACTLESS OPTIONS FOR THE WORKPLACE - OFFICE COFFEE INCLUDED Contactless shopping is a term we are all hearing a lot lately. It’s one of the strategies being enacted to keep people safe given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. But what could that mean for the workplace breakroom? The good news is that companies do have options to help keep their employees safe with contactless options while maintaining office perks such as coffee service or breakroom food options. With the new normal of minimized shared contact points in our everyday lives, the office coffee pot has come under scrutiny. Self-serve pours from the same containers used by virtually all employees no longer feels safe. To combat this, fully contactless coffee solutions are being introduced to the office coffee service landscape. Many convenience service operators are offering coffee programs that limit shared touchpoints to align with consumer expectations. One such example is a bean-to-cup brewer with a software add-on that allows for contactless beverage selection. Users can scan the 2D code on their smartphone and be taken to a mobile interface to make their drink selections. Once selection is completed, the coffee machine will dispense the coffee or hot beverage to the user’s specifications. Companies can use this system to continue to offer free coffee for employees. Or, if they want employees to pay or want to subsidize the cost, the payment can be completed through an associated micro market kiosk. The benefit of a bean-to-cup brewer is that employees can get a fresh, customized cup of coffee at a fraction of the cost of going to the local coffee shop. Not to mention, this way, employees are staying on site to get their coffee instead of traveling to an outside establishment. These are important benefits related to morale and safety of workers. As mentioned, a contactless coffee system can be used in conjunction with a micro market kiosk. An Avanti micro market in your breakroom is another contactless perk not to be overlooked for your facility. Fresh food micro markets offer a variety of fresh, healthy, and in-demand food and beverage items that are likely to keep employees on site for lunch instead of going out to pick up food from a different location.
Hospital Food Vending Options

Micro Markets on the Grow at Hospitals, Clinics, and Medical Buildings

29 Sep, 2023
Micro markets are on the grow nationwide. The revenues generated by micro markets increased 99 percent between 2016 and 2018, representing more than $2B in annual sales. While they initially found success in manufacturing businesses and office buildings, micro markets and smart vending solutions have the potential to grow exponentially in other industries as well.

How can hospitals provide self-service healthy food options onsite 24/7?

29 Sep, 2023
Smart N Go Markets give hospitals and medical facilities a reliable and secure food service solution that is available 24/7. Smart N Go markets are a revolutionary self-service food service alternative that is ideally suited to better serve the needs of hospitals and medical facilities beyond open cafeteria or traditional snack vending. Available at little or no cost to your facility, Smart N Go intelligent vending allows a variety of fresh food, beverages, snacks, coffee and more to be ready to grab 24/7 behind secured glass doors. 

Avanti Markets Announces 2020 Operator Awards

29 Sep, 2023
Seven organizations recognized for their accomplishments this year through virtual presentations of awards.

7 Benefits of Micro Markets in Light of COVID-19

29 Sep, 2023
7 Benefits of Micro Markets in Light of COVID-19 Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, micro markets were an emerging trend. These unattended retail establishments began cropping up in offices and apartment building lobbies since 2010 and are especially popular with Millennials and Generation Z. During the pandemic micro markets have evolved from fun novelty conveniences into essential businesses that provide key benefits to the general public and businesses, including the healthcare industry. Here are seven benefits micro markets offer during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: 1. No-contact, touch-free transactions 2. Safety and security 3. Provide safe and healthy food options 4. Entice employees back to the office 5. Not affected by labor shortages 6. Versatility and convenience 7. Opportunities to serve underserved markets 1. No-contact, Touch-free Transactions Micro markets are unattended retail spaces and even prior to the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, they provided customers with a contactless way to purchase healthy food and beverages. Furthermore, micro markets provide added safety in that they offer consumers touchless payment options that can include things like subscription options and payments via an app they can easily download to their smartphone. 2. Safety and Security Micro markets provide the COVID-19 era customer with the added security and food safety they demand. Even fresh produce can be pre-packaged, providing consumers with the added confidence that a piece of fruit, such as an orange or an apple, hasn’t been handled by other people. And for added security, sneeze guards and other plexiglass display options can be installed as well. Additionally, the food and drinks at micro markets have always been safely stored and offered in an easy to access self-service environment where it’s easy for customers to stay socially distanced from each other for added peace of mind. 3. Provide safe and healthy food options According to a recent survey of nearly 1,500 adults, 56 percent of the respondents admitted they found it challenging to eat healthy, in spite of 89 percent also saying that nutrition is important to them. And because micro markets aren’t vending machines but mini one-stop shops, they can provide your customers or employees with healthy snack options in conveniently wrapped and sealed packaging. Furthermore, larger items like sandwiches, salads and fresh produce aren’t a size issue like they are for vending machines that are more limited to less healthy options such as candy or chips. 
More Posts
Share by: