INTRODUCTION
Born from innovation in 1945, Rich Products is a family-owned food company dedicated to bringing creative solutions to industry professionals around the globe. From food service and retail, to in-store bakeries and prepared foods, their goal is to be a trusted partner that helps companies delight their customers and stay competitive, no matter where the market moves.
THE CHALLENGE
Operating in more than 100 countries, Rich Products is committed to providing its employees with the tools, technologies, and services that help simplify internal business processes. Thomas Geblein, Solution Architect - Digital Enablement at Rich’s, and his team, set out to standardize on a scalable technology platform that would support and enhance collaboration and productivity across all their global locations.
THE SOLUTION
Thomas and his team worked with Veraview LLC to outfit their facility with leading edge Crestron UC, room scheduling, and room control technology solutions that would foster a more productive and collaborative working environment.
THE TECHNOLOGY
As a company standardized on Microsoft Teams® software, Crestron Flex UC solutions provided Rich’s with a full suite of products designed to facilitate collaboration in every meeting room, along with a consistent, simple user experience. With Crestron Flex, associates can join meetings with one-touch and be confident that the technology in the room will deliver a high-quality audio and video experience. They know that everyone in the room will be clearly seen and heard.
Rich’s also uses Crestron technology to host culinary events from their production studio. Their Innovation Space, which includes a production studio, townhall conference spaces, an atrium, and specialized kitchen, is equipped with numerous Crestron Flex C-Series UC Video Conference Systems for hosting virtual demonstrations to better serve their customers. To optimize use of their meeting rooms, Thomas and his team implemented the Crestron room scheduling platform. “Whether it’s a standing weekly catchup meeting or an impromptu brainstorming session, Crestron room scheduling makes it easy for our associates to book the meeting room that will best suit their needs,” explains Geblein. Using any of the illuminated scheduling touch screens, associates can easily locate and reserve the most suitable space in advance or find an unoccupied room for ad hoc meetings.
For some areas in the office, occupancy sensors communicate with the Crestron Fusion® monitoring and scheduling system to indicate availability. This technology allows associates to use the company website to locate an available desk while adhering to social distancing. “Crestron occupancy sensors have made it possible for our associates to safely navigate our office, find an open desk, and continue their workday with ease,” explains Geblein.
RESULTS
Crestron has become a partner that Rich’s counts on to deliver a globally standardized experience for improved daily workflow. “With Crestron, we were not just purchasing enterprise-grade products, but also investing in their world-class training, dedicated service, and support,” says Geblein.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
