ELGIN, Ill. – The Middleby Corporation, a global leader in the foodservice equipment industry, has acquired the F.R. Drake Company, a leading manufacturer of automated loading systems for the food-processing industry with approximate annual revenues of $20 million. Adding this brand complements and strengthens Middleby’s food-processing equipment platform, the company said.

“Drake is a globally recognized brand with a market leadership position,” said Selim Bassoul, Middleby’s chairman and CEO. “Drake’s highly automated loading equipment allows food processing operators to increase throughput and at the same time lower operating costs due to reduced labor. Alongside Middleby’s other unique processing technologies, the Drake loading equipment allows Middleby to provide a fully integrated and comprehensive solution to our customers.”

The Middleby Corporation develops, manufactures, markets and services a broad line of equipment used for commercial food cooking, preparation and processing