Manitowoc was founded in the lakeshore community of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1902 as a shipbuilding and ship-repair organization. Since that time, the company has grown and diversified, entering the lattice-boom crane business in the mid-1920’s and branching into commercial refrigeration equipment shortly after World War II. Today, the company is comprised of three segments – cranes, foodservice equipment, and marine. In each of these segments Manitowoc is the industry leader in market share, product innovation, and product support services.
Beginning with the Kolpak/McCall acquisition in 1995, the Manitowoc Foodservice Group began assembling industry leading brands to become the dominant source for foodservice equipment needs on the "cold side". Keys to its success included superior customer service, cost efficiency, convenient distribution and a wealth of refrigeration expertise.
The Manitowoc Foodservice Group is comprised of three divisions and six brand names. The three divisions are Manitowoc Beverage, Manitowoc Ice, and Manitowoc refrigeration. Within the Beverage Division are brand names Servend and Multiplex; within the Ice Division is Manitowoc Ice; and within the Refrigeration Division are Kolpak, McCall and Harford
Manitowoc Ice, Inc. entered the foodservice market in the mid 1960's by purchasing the name and manufacturing rights to the Kodiak brand ice machine. By that time, Manitowoc had already developed considerable refrigeration technology as a manufacturer of residential refrigerators/freezers. In 1968, it patented a breakthrough evaporator that catapulted it to a dominant position in the US ice-making industry. Manitowoc Ice, Inc. is now America's #1 selling brand of ice cube machine. Manitowoc also produces ice storage bins and ice-machine accessories. The company is also a significant competitor in the market for commercial reach-in refrigerators and freezers. Product technology and innovation have been major factors in Manitowoc's leadership position in the ice machine industry. |
