CHICAGO, U.S. – NAMA has announced that Lowell Shindler, co-founder of U.S. Coffee, has been posthumously named the 2015 Coffee Legend. Shindler, who passed away in 2012, is being honored for his contributions to the coffee service channel over a 44-year career in the industry.
NAMA Chair Howard Chapman will present the award to Shindler’s son, Douglas Shindler, at CTW on November 2.
“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 door-to-door.
In 1971, he joined forces with Steve Trapani to form Bunn Coffee Service, bringing the innovative idea of coffee service to businesses throughout the New York area. They 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 products and 40,000 office supplies.
A pioneer in single cup brewers in the early 1990s, Shindler became one of the first exclusive Starbucks distributors in the New York region as well as one of the first Keurig distributors in 1998. He soon expanded his business, adding water coolers, full-service vending and office supplies and was one of the first 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 their annual food drive.
He also received numerous awards from the Long Island Network of Community Services, including their Certificate of Excellence and was involved with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Foundation for Sight and Sound.
