Uncovering the Past: Work Counter Shelving Unit
We’re continuing our history lessons this week with an interesting product released that was, at the time, an innovation in the foodservice industry. That product was Model #CUES – Work Counter Shelving Unit. One look at the product & you’ll see why it was considered a unique offering. What was it for exactly though?
In this article, we will take a trip down memory lane & explore this now defunct product. We’ll go over the thought process behind it as well as some brief specs. Let’s explore.
The Concept
At first glance, CUES might look like just a standard shelving unit, but it served as much more than that. Essentially, CUES was the combination of a mobile shelving unit with the added versatility of overshelves. However, the top shelf was meant to be used as a worktable top so really it is 3 in one – a worktable, a shelving unit & an overshelf. Quite an ambitious offering.
The product was meant for typical use in restaurants, schools, hospitals, etc. It mainly served as a multitasking tool so you could use one product to serve as storage as well as a work area.
The Specs
The product itself was constructed from 18-gauge Type 304 stainless steel & all models came with casters for mobility. Users had the choice of 3 shelf types – solid, louvered & embossed (back then embossed shelving was louvered with the inserts curved downward. Today, this is standard on all IMC louvered shelving).
The unit was made up of two smaller 14” upper shelves, one main work top & two adjustable lower shelves with a 36” working height & a 61” overall height. Various lengths & widths were available ranging from 20” – 54”. The original spec sheet can be viewed below:
What Replaced It?
As you may have noticed, the product is no longer available in IMC’s catalog, however several successors have come forth from this one item. In particular, mixer tables (Model #SMTT) equipped with a tool tree & an additional undershelf seems to be the logical replacement. Mixer tables can serve as temporary storage tools & a work top – which fulfills the functions of the original work counter shelving unit. Mixer tables are also more compact, but the size may be customized to meet your requirements.
However…
IMC is no stranger to custom products & this item can still be manufactured if you have interest in it. Please contact us if you have an upcoming project that you think will take full advantage of this product.
IMC/Teddy has been developing products for almost 70 years, so we are in tune with the foodservice industry’s trends & demands. Many products developed years ago are still an important part of our catalog & still used in facilities today. For more IMC history, click here.
