NAMA Honors Memory Of Lowell Shindler With Coffee Legend Award

Lowell Shindler

Shindler, who died in 2012, is being honored for his contributions to the coffee service channel during his 44-year career. NAMA chair Howard Chapman will present the award to Shindler's son, Douglas, at NAMA's Coffee Tea and Water conference. CTW is taking place Nov. 2-4 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, DC.

"A NAMA Coffee Legend is a pioneer, an innovator, a leader and a visionary in the industry. This defines Lowell Shindler and his impact on the coffee service industry," Chapman said.

Shindler began his career in coffee service in 1968 with his first company, Coffee Hutch, carrying machines from door to door. In 1971, he joined forces with Steve Trapani to form Bunn Coffee Service, one of the first providers of coffee service to businesses throughout the New York City area under the model in which the account was given a small "restaurant" drip brewer, bought coffee in kits of fractional-pound packets priced by the brewed cup and brewed the coffee as required. This was a very successful concept at the time. Shindler and Trapani pioneered a more engaging and productive workplace by providing high-quality coffee in-house.

Over the years the company evolved, becoming U.S. Coffee in 2000. Today, U.S. Coffee offers more than 2,000 breaktime items and 40,000 office products.

Also a pioneer in single-cup brewers two decades ago, Shindler became one of the first exclusive Starbucks distributors in the New York region and one of the first Keurig distributors in 1998. He continually expanded his business by adding water coolers, full-service vending and office products, and was one of the first operators to have a full e-commerce website.

Shindler, well-known for his dedication to charity work, was recognized by Long Island Cares/Harry Chapin Food Bank as "Largest Product Donator" 10 years in a row for the organization's annual food drive. He also received numerous awards from the Long Island Network of Community Services, including its Certificate of Excellence, and was involved with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Foundation for Sight and Sound.

The NAMA Coffee Legend Award was established to recognize members of the coffee service industry for consistent achievement in refining and professionalizing the business. The first recipient was the late Stuart Daw. Last year's winner was John Conti. | SEE STORY