The Vega Philosophy
The embodiment of Design, Functionality, and Craftsmanship
All Vega showcases are designed with the product in mind. The internal environment of a showcase is critical to the shelf life of the product. For that reason, Vega showcases are specifically geared to different needs of baked goods, deli products, chocolates, as well as other specialty products, This means starting with a cooling system that minimizes the inherant drying effect of cold air. Then, where necessary, humidification is added (Vega used an oversized coil system that fills the entire refrigeration pan to produce humidity into the showcase) to specifically cater to items particularly sensitive to drying such as cheesecakes, cut meats, and salads.
Vega Mfg Ltd produces one of North America's finest lines of display showcases for the food industry. They not only look good, but they also contain state-of-the-art components making them a trouble-free and cost-effective alternative for any size of business. Vega showcases can be found in a huge variety of locations across Canada, North America and beyond, from small independant bakeries, deli's, restaurants and coffee bars, to supermarket chains.
"They are the Mercedes of showcases" Kollenberg says proudly, adding that a revolution has taken place in showcase manufacturing during the past 15 years, with Vega manufacturing marching at the vanguard. Previously, you could choose from either
one-level European design showcase or a North American one with cooling that had all the esthetic appeal of a coffin. In the cooled cases, poor air flow, condensation spots and other technical problems meant food spoiled quickly or froze and profits quickly went into the garbage.
In 1985 Vega (then Lentia Manufacturing) started developing a European-style case that was "cooled right to the top," says Kollenberg, who managed the feat by equipping the cases with a unique , computerized air-flow system that maintains optimum tempearatures under even the most adverse conditions. Solid-State components and a coolant injection system result in trouble-free operations and energy savings of at least 20 percent over competing models.
That's all well and good, of course - showcase buyers naturally want efficiency and reliability - but they also want to sell their products. While some food-service retailers continue to think of a showcase as a storage case, smart retailers know that a showcase is more than just a refrigerator - its really a merchandising tool that by its very presence sells product.
The essence of a great showcase is when it is filled with product and the lights are switched on the showcase disappears. That is a Vega showcase.
We've achieved this through a combination of of factors, including the use of warm-tone lighting and light coloured extrusions that are pleasing to the eye. The curvature of the glass and the way the interior is designed are also calculated to ensure maximum visibility. That interior design is the result of many years of research.
The cases are scientifically designed and have gone through years of evolution. The height was carefully chosen to allow customers and staff to communicate across the top - what we call a continuous flow design - and it is set up so the curvature of the glass and the space between the shelves give maximum product visibility: 100 percent on the top, 80-85 percent on the second shelf, and 75 percent on the bottom. Of course since all cases are custom designed the number of shelves and the amenities can be selected to suit each customers needs.
