Hussmann Corp. opened what is said to be the industry’s most comprehensive client-collaboration center for learning and strategizing at is Bridgeton, Mo., headquarters location.

Designed to help food retailers find ways to attract consumers, reduce operational costs and create a unique customer experience within their store, this new innovation center partners with retailers to turn trends into opportunities with solutions that are tailored to their specific needs.

“This new global hub is an Industry first. There is no other company that can bring together over 100 years of knowledge and experience into a hands-on, high-tech space with the goal of providing game-changing solutions for our customers,” says Dennis Gipson, chief executive officer. “The structure of the hub, with 13 individual venues and touch pad technology, is a strategic resource for creative and conceptual thinking that will evoke ideas and solutions to unleash the potential in food retailing.”

Retailers visiting the global hub will experience:

• Evolving industry trends and events that affect the present and future of food retailing. Visitors can select topics of interest from Hussmann’s “Video Magazine” to learn more about industry news and new trends that are critical to their business.
• Futuristic displays and point-of-sale approaches to stimulate creative planning. Recently released products and future concepts are sure to push the limits of conventional thinking into the future of food retailing and how new technologies, innovations and ideas will impact the industry.
• New technologies that can help improve sales and operations. In addition to hands-on opportunities, guests can navigate through Hussmann’s newest equipment and technologies via the Hussmann App table. Visitors will learn more about and collaborate with employees from Hussmann’s four plants in the United States and Mexico, where the equipment is manufactured.
• Retail food strategies and attracting customers. In the central hub, retailers will have the opportunity to discuss their challenges, brainstorm solutions and develop strategies for the future.
• Merchandising and design ideas from global retail outlets. Creative thinking will be sparked by a virtual tour of retail outlets around the world while hands-on merchandising displays allow retailers the opportunity to experience the power of visual merchandising.

“The design strategy behind the global hub was to create an environment where we could bring food retailers, industry trend setters and thought leaders together in an open, collaborative space to talk about issues, challenges and opportunities,” says Mike Higgins, Sr., vice president, marketing, strategic planning and business development. “Our goal is to build long lasting partnerships with food retailers enabling them to build strong, successful businesses for today and in the future.”

In addition to the 5,600-square-foot global hub, several areas of the existing building space on the first floor of the Hussmann facility underwent concurrent renovation, including an open layout for office space, conference rooms, training rooms, an innovation room and Harry’s C-Store Cafeteria that utilizes Hussmann’s ISLA island, Freedom Line Reach-in, Freedom Line Multi-deck and self-contained glass door cases.