From Service To Shipping…IR Retail Solutions Answers Dippin' Dots' Needs

BRIDGETON, MO (June 21, 2002) - From the early days of doing business out of a garage during the late 80's, to being named one of Inc. Magazine's 500 fastest growing private company's just a few years later, Dippin' Dots has made a name for its reinvention of the dessert favorite, ice cream. The growth trend continues at a fast pace, as the company continues to experience annual double-digit increases in sales. The unique Dippin' Dots, Ice Cream of the Future®, is now available in 31 states and is shipped to 15 countries around the globe. It can be found in thousands of shopping malls, amusement parks, water parks, fairs and festivals worldwide.

The unique dessert is created by flash freezing the ice cream product to super-cold temperatures. The result is tiny beads of ice cream, more rich and flavorful than the traditional product.

Dippin' Dots' accelerated growth has presented some interesting challenges for the company. As the company expanded, so did their needs.

"We began looking for a supplier that could service and repair refrigeration equipment on a national level," explained Steve Schiff, Director of Operations. "As we started looking at IR Retail Solutions, we discovered the extensiveness of their capabilities. They are able to help us with the installation and the servicing of our refrigeration equipment. Their nationwide service network was attractive to us and their size gives them the capability of staying with us as we grow."

IR Retail Solutions, a unit of Ingersoll-Rand (IR), offers customers a complete package of solutions from IR's Climate Control, Independent Power and Security and Safety Sectors. IR Retail Solutions' products and services include offerings from industry-leading brands such as Hussmann and Thermo King.

Late last year, Hussmann began working with Dippin' Dots on the service and maintenance of its refrigeration equipment at more than 650 locations nationwide. The company will also install Dippin' Dots' chest freezers at more than 200 locations this year.

IR Retail Solutions' monitoring services are also being utilized by Dippin' Dots to ensure the proper functioning of portable walk-in units located in theme parks and other high-volume locations. "The monitoring tells us if the equipment is adhering to our operating parameters under normal working conditions, for example with doors opening and closing," said Schiff. IR Retail Solutions monitors the equipment from a remote location, notifies Dippin' Dots if a problem exists and dispatches a technician to perform repairs as required.

The super low temperatures required to maintain the integrity of the Dippin' Dots ice cream has also posed some unique equipment challenges for the company. "Because our product must be kept at such cold temperatures, between -40° to -50°, nothing off the shelf will work," explain Schiff.

IR Retail Solutions is in the process of developing products to meet Dippin' Dots' unique needs. Hussmann is currently working on a special freezer, capable of maintaining a -50° temperature. Hussmann's commercial and industrial arm is also involved in developing equipment for Dippin' Dots in the area of warehousing and distribution.

Dippin' Dots has also had experience with products from another part of the IR Climate Control Sector, Thermo King. Dippin' Dots uses a worldwide carrier to transport its products internationally. To keep the super cold temperatures, the carrier uses a special container capable of reaching -75°.

"Logistics have probably been among the most challenging parts of our growth. Over land, we ship our product LTL or by truckload using special containers and dry ice," stated Steve Schiff. "Our shipping costs are high and we're relying on Thermo King to come up with a lower cost alternative."

From installation and service to equipment monitoring and manufacturing to transport refrigeration, Dippin' Dots is pleased with the depth of talent available to them through IR Retail Solutions. "Every area we have dealt with has been a positive experience," stated Schiff.

IR is a leading innovation and solutions provider for the major global markets of Security and Safety, Climate Control, Industrial Productivity and Infrastructure. The company's diverse product portfolio encompasses such leading industrial and commercial brands such as Schlage locks and security solutions; Thermo King transport temperature control equipment; Hussmann commercial and retail refrigeration equipment; Bobcat compact equipment; Club Car golf cars and utility vehicles; Torrington bearings and components; PowerWorks microturbines; and Ingersoll-Rand industrial and construction equipment. In addition, IR offers products and services under many more premium brands for customers in industrial and commercial markets. Further information on IR can be found on the company's Web site at www.irco.com.