Since its founding in 1985, Unitherm has grown into a global designer and manufacturer of hygienic cooking, chilling, pasteurizing and freezing equipment with expertise in process improvement, R&D and food safety consulting. It maintains offices in the Netherlands and Thailand. Officials with Marlen said the acquisition bolsters its solutions-based offerings in the meat and poultry processing industry by expanding its portfolio and ability to deliver customized continuous thermal and chilling food processing equipment. According to Marlen, Unitherm’s water cook systems, spiral chillers and freezers, frying line, and pre- and post-package pasteurization will complement its thermal solutions including batch ovens and chillers, industrial smokehouses and dehydrators.
“Marlen is a respected leader in custom-built thermal technologies, and we are extremely excited to add Unitherm to our portfolio,” said Bob Campbell, Marlen International president. “Partnering with the Unitherm team strengthens our position as the premier provider of thermal solutions in every market we serve and further supports our strategy of serving the industry through the delivery of innovative processes and customer support before, during and after the sale.”
Unitherm will continue operating from its current facilities, while gaining access to Marlen’s world-class Solution Center and customer support operations in Riverside, Missouri.
“Marlen and Unitherm clearly have a shared passion for quality, performance and innovation,” said Mark Smith, Unitherm’s senior vice president and general manager.
Earlier this year, Marlen acquired Veurne, Belgium-based Afoheat, which specializes in gas-fueled, infrared and direct-flame technology used to manufacture cooking equipment for the food-processing industry.
