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History |
Approximately fifty (50) years ago, in a little town called Miami, Oklahoma, two men, Mr. Tuthill and Mr. Dumas, applied and received patents for the most innovative concept to reach the warewashing market. The Chemical Sanitizing Low-Temperature dishwasher was born. The concept was a little crude, chemicals were dispensed by gravity in upside-down glass containers and the doors were cloth curtains. Even more amazing was that the system was not developed to save energy, but as a better way of cleaning with a fresh, pressure wash and rinse for each cycle of dishes. They started putting these out on rental, machine, chemicals and free 24 hour service, and again a new marketing concept was born. Several years later, a gentleman named Mr. Robinson, recongized the ingenious concept that Mr. Dumas and Mr. Tuthill had developed and bought the right to use their patent in specific southern states. The name of his firm is known today as Auto Chlor System. Mr. Tuthill ultimately moved the firm to Kansas City, Missouri, and changed the name to ADS (which used to mean Always Direct Sanitation), and continued renting direct, as well as, through a few licensees around the country. ADS remained strictly a rental firm until 1979, when it opened its line to the public and became the international manufacturing firm it is today.
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In 1974, the Andrews family, the primary stockholders of Chem Mark International, in Orange, California, purchased American Dish Serice to acquire low-energy warewashing machines for their chemical manufacturing company. After the purchase, both ADS and Chem Mark manufactured warewashing equipment to distribute for their own use. The only exceptions were a group of authorized ADS and Chem Mark dealers who, with approval, were allowed to market our products, chemicals and distribute goods under our names. Mr. Garth Bishoff was general manager of Chem Mark International during this time. In 1976, Mr. Bishoff was terminated from Chem Mark and immediately started manufacturing similar line of equipment in the California market under the name of Chemical Methods Association. In 1977 ADS sold Chem Mark International and in 1981 ADS decided that its primary business was manufacturing and it sold off all direct operations and discontinued its Chemical Blending facility to become a manufacturer of warewashing equipment that did not compete with its customer base. But the turn-key rental or lease marketing program that was developed by Mr. Tuthill became the primary selling concept that ADS still offers in its training efforts even today. From that basic design, ADS has expanded its line to include double tanks, undercounters, glasswashers, conveyors, high temp, tables, water softeners, and low level alarms. We continue to strive to update our products to continue the concept of ease of service and dependability and to keep up with our industry. The best in new designs come from our loyal customer base, the guy in the field, who works with our equipment on a daily basis.
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So What's ADS stuff like? |
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Remember in High School,
-when it seemed like everyone had a car and they put stickers or decals all over, jacked up the wheels, and made the exhaust loud?
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Ever wonder why this guy's story is such a favorite? The answer begins with an idea...
In the case of ADS, the idea has been about machines; capable, durable systems designed by those who know how. How often do we
find a team who knows the job? Just as in the High School story, such individuals tend to be rare; equally rare are products worth finding.
One complaint that could be said of ADS is they've never told their own story; no one knows anything about them, you just see their
machines everywhere. Surprisingly, this story is a substantial part of the market.
The facts tell much: it has been privately owned for over forty-eight years, holds active design patents, eight of the market's fourteen manufacturers (57%) sprang from ADS, they pioneered the first chemical sanitizing machine, all machines are built solely by ADS under one roof, they still provide personal service (you can talk to a real person), founded the longest running training schools for Batch-type/Conveyor machines, their current designs have the highest NSF ratings for speed and reduced water consumption, and that's just the beginning of their work. |
Lineup  The star of the ADS line is the Conveyor. The design ranks as the most conservative at 120 GPH, the fastest at 244 racks per hour, other companies and manufacturers buy it for their own line, it works better and longer than competing designs. Over the past twelve years, competitors have introduced numbers of conveyor models, all said to be improved and enhanced; while the ADS Conveyor was good from the start. It is based on solid principles and the design has proven to be very forward in its thinking. "...ADS has the best 44 in the country." Don Hall, of Cheney Brothers. The company knew it had something and protected the design by patents. The market has done all the favorable talking, while the company has only provided the barest of specifications. They knew the numbers said it all. There are other remarkable machines. The most powerful door-type High Temp made is the ADS HT-25, with an astounding 45-second cycle. For the fine white-tablecloth restaurants, it's like the "drag racer" of dishmachines. Then there are the reliable low-temps. The line is rounded out with undercounters, boosters, and dish tables. |
Can You Get Any Help? |
Factory Training |
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Well, what do they know? |
If theses people at ADS are so smart, just exactly what do they know? They know, for instance: 1) Most customers buy a dishmachine as a tool for their business; they expect it to work all day. When service work is done, it is usually emergency calls and the person will have limited experience, few tools, no parts, and little time. 2) Not being able to get clean dishes is a big problem 3) Not having health department heat/chemical limits is a big problem 4) Having leaks is a big problem 5) Not starting is a big problem 6) Always broken down is a big problem 7) Plastic is NOT our freind, rubber only marginally 8) Leaking of chemical liquids is certain 9) If it can be put in upside-down, it will be 10) Rotating Arms are far better than stationary sprays but require an extraordinary bearing 11) Rinsing is the hardest thing for a dishmachine to do 12) Few materials will survive hot, caustic, chlorinated, garbage, under water and pressure 13) Key parts must be strong (commercial grade) or the operation stops 14) Rough use is expected, ourtright abuse is likely 15) Most common repairs should be easily accessible |
Those are only some of the tests put to each design |
Bottom Line Finally, it is a business decision whether to go for show, or show up with the winning goods.
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They are not absorbed in following trendy schemes, ADS thinks of itself as a quiet, consistent maker of suitable equipment.
but the very people who
build and design the equipment. Who would know better.
Better still, when the need arises, home numbers have been given out and calls taken long into the night. Often calls are continued after
work; that kind of action is evidence of the people's interest in their equipment. That is rare, but then ADS is proving to be uncommon in
a number of important areas.
Nothing about the warewashing business is easy, and it is comforting to have access to someone who can solve your problems. There are
some of the best experienced people working at ADS, they know how to solve the problems and freely offer to do just that.
American values used to mean that "no matter what it takes we will get it done, you're our customer and we're in this together" this is an
attitude that can preserve important business. That can-and-will-do-attitude is a common push around the ADS plant, which the crew
simply calls "the Dish". You can see that willingness in providing sameday CAD drawings, overnight part assemblies, hand-carry orders,
and training over the phone.
