Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/683412
25 MBiz | may 2016 Along with accommodating different health and construction codes for each jurisdiction in which the trucks will operate, climate is a huge consideration and FTI has both northern and southern climate packages. "With the northern climate package, we make sure the water tanks are above-floor so they don't freeze, but in the southern climate you can put them below so you get more room," he says. "In a southern climate, you have to make sure you have extra power for air conditioning." One unique project for the company was refurbishing a 1947 school bus for New York Fries. "We had to raise the roof and put tons of stainless steel on the inside," Kemerle says. "That's very rare, especially something old like that, but it was the owner's 65th birthday so he went all out." Regardless of the project, FTI will only install commercial equipment. Safety is the number one concern, followed closely by quality. "For safe quality food, you want a commercial fridge which is made to be opened and closed 20 times an hour so it holds the temperature," says Kemerle. "And we have three different safety switches for our propane system — which is becoming an industry standard, but we started it. We've been pretty leading edge on a lot of the safety aspects which is why I think people have been talking to us." While Kemerle likes to cook on weekends, immersing himself in the ultra-efficient mobile kitchens hasn't changed the way he rolls on the culinary front. "I'm a little bit of a foodie myself but I can't do anything like what these people can do in food trucks," he says. "It is amazing what they can put together from the combinations they think of —wow." ■ We have three different safety switches for our propane system — which is becoming an industry standard, but we started it. We've been pretty leading edge on a lot of the safety aspects which is why I think people have been talking to us." Transforming trucks and trailers into state-of-the-art mobile restaurants is Dugald-based Food Trucks International's specialty. Photos by Darcy Finley