2022 Fire Awards: Everest Ice and Water Systems ramps up its sales goal 143%

Everest Ice and Water Systems was chosen as one of Orlando Business Journal's 2022 Fire Awards honorees, who were featured in OBJ's April 29-May 5, 2022, weekly print edition.

Apopka-based Everest manufacturers patented ice and water vending machines meant to offer higher efficiency and less maintenance. Inc. magazine in 2021 named Everest one of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies, and the firm doubled its staff last year. In 2022, the company expects to elevate its sales and further grow its team. 

In addition to being a Fire Awards honoree, Everest was named one of five 2022 Fire Awards Blazers for ranking No. 1 among honoree companies that are seven years old.

Here's more from Director of Operations Dan Doromal:

What was your company’s biggest accomplishment of 2021? We sold more machines in the last two months of 2021 than we sold in all of 2020 combined, officially exceeding 149% of our goal for machines sold by the end of the year.

How did you get it done? We more than doubled our staff last year and tripled the amount of office space. At Everest, every person on the team is dedicated to working hard to ensure the success of our company and our customers. We increased our online presence by 1,934% last year, expanding into new social media spaces and generating more in-house content to increase brand awareness, sales and market share. Thanks to new partnerships, agreements with vendors and enhancing communications and operations, we were able to not only exceed our goal, but also earn a ranking on the 2021 Inc. 5000 list of the country’s fastest-growing private companies. 

How does your company stay innovative and on the cutting-edge? Unlike other ice vending manufacturers, we aren’t married to 20-year-old technology. We are always looking to improve and innovate. We invest in the best components and offer solutions to some of the challenges in the industry, such as unprotected ice makers, bulky machines and overproduction.

What strategies have you implemented to recruit and/or retain talent in a competitive labor market? Growth is a great magnet for talent. We provide an inclusive environment and a dedicated management team to provide employees with the tools they need to succeed. Everest utilizes employee referrals from our existing skilled workforce, which not only enhances the sense of community but makes for an easier and more efficient flow of operations.

What is the biggest challenge facing your industry? The supply chain is currently the biggest challenge for anyone in manufacturing. At Everest, we are taking every step we can to alleviate the pressure on the supply chain and reduce lead times for our machine owners. Since the beginning of 2021, we have expanded our workforce by 178%, and we are continuing to hire, intending to double our workforce by the end of the year. In 2022, we have already doubled our manufacturing space, invested millions of dollars into pre-purchasing components and formed new agreements with vendors to ensure a faster production.

What is your company’s top goal for 2022? In addition to reducing lead times and continuing to expand our workforce, we intend to sell 143% more than last year's goal for machines sold.

In the past year, what progress have you seen in the growth of Central Florida’s entrepreneurial and tech ecosystems? There has been a greater focus on collaboration in the past couple of years, particularly with the challenges associated with the pandemic.

What is the local technology and innovation sector’s biggest obstacle to more growth? Developing and retaining top talent. We need to develop an economic and societal culture that attracts more innovation and creativity.

Are you hiring now? If so, how many positions and in what time frame? We will hire an additional 10-20 employees by the end of the year.

Everest Ice and Water Systems

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