In a world where “everything new ain’t built like it used to be,” Gina Marie refrigerator door medics have breathed new life into “classic” cold storage equipment. This team of professionals have been able to repair heavily used, damaged, or out of service cold storage units.
The current business climate’s supply chain issues have created 26-52 week lead times for business owners who want to order new cold storage equipment. So, rather than installing new appliances, Gina Marie’s crew has had to be more resourceful than ever before when diagnosing issues, suggesting repair services, and providing solutions based on equipment and materials that are currently available.
Diagnosing a Cold Storage Issue
More often than not, Dan Rizzo of Gina Marie Refrigerator Doors is assessing cold storage problems for restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores. Rizzo and his crew are called to the scene to address clients’ concerns about cold storage equipment. Lately, the team has been busy servicing old appliances to combat difficulties surrounding procurement of new equipment.
“If it’s an old, rusty, crusty cold storage box, we have to figure out how to make it work in the meantime,” said Rizzo.
Rizzo finds himself often listening to his customers’ difficulties with cold storage machinery–just like a mechanic hearing his customers try to mimic the weird sound their vehicle is making.
“There might be a cold storage panel that is too large, or their chef’s table might be falling apart,” said Rizzo. “We go out to assess problems and also make suggestions for proactive repair.”
Suggesting Budget-Sensitive Solutions for the Long Term
Rizzo is a consistent advocate for equipment repair before buying new. In the past, he’s advocated for this option to be budget sensitive. Lately, this has been his only option because ordering new equipment is taking up to a year in some cases.
“We’ve been redoing a lot of the floors in walk-in boxes with new insulated metal panel. In some cases, we’ve done epoxy or PVC flooring,” explained Rizzo. “We’ll also paint the walk-in box, the coils, and ultimately bring it back to life.”
Rizzo is often able to give customers various service options to provide solutions for cold storage woes. What’s more, Rizzo genuinely doesn’t want more issues to occur after he’s done a project. So, in many cases, he will devise a plan to effectively solve problems before they occur. In one recent case, he was able to place a new equipment order for his client and at the same time fix the old walk-in box for current operations.
“If the customer has a cold storage panel that is too big we can reconfigure, re-size, and change the location of that door. We can fabricate in-house, custom fit everything on site, and in some cases resurrect from the dead,” said Rizzo, who has been called the Michaelangelo of refrigeration. “I’ll ask, ‘When do you need the box to be cold?’ and we’ll work back three days to make it happen.”
Gina Marie’s Service Leads to Solutions
The Gina Marie team is known to provide services that offer business owners cold storage solutions. These solutions often reveal new efficiencies into the future. Rather than Rizzo’s clients being blindsided by the cost of new equipment, his team’s services allow businesses to continue using their current appliances. Additionally, the team’s provided solutions offer compounding cost savings. This is exemplified when a Gina Marie client’s refrigerator door has a new snug fit–containing cold conditions inside the box.
“One recent project started because a previous customer referred me–knowing that I’d be able to get my hands on insulated metal panel. Instead of custom-building a new one at $3,000 per foot–I fixed their current equipment,” recalled Rizzo.
After over 30 years in this business, there aren’t many projects that surprise Gina Marie’s team–just those that require some extra planning.
“At another job, we resized a refrigerator door, closed off the place where the old door was, and fabricated a new, custom-built door,” said Rizzo.
In this case, the customer could choose to use their refurbished cold storage box until a new unit becomes available. At that time, they would also have the choice of taking the old unit out or converting it to a freezer while also adding the new refrigeration unit.
“Customers will thank us because we’re able to plan ahead and set a date for new install if need be,” explained Rizzo. “In other cases, we make suggestions for proactive service before ‘the brake light comes on’ so to speak.”
After a conversation with Dan Rizzo of Gina Marie, it’s apparent that the team strives to fix cold storage equipment to operate as close to “new” as possible.
“From finishes, to flooring applications, to modernization, and rehabbing cold storage doors of a walk-in box.”
Rizzo and company have cultivated a reputation for hard work and success that has built a community of satisfied individuals. Business owners in the restaurant, convenience store, and supermarket industries have benefited from Gina Marie’s efficiency when solving issues, providing service, diagnosing future problems, and recommending proactive service.