Multiline foodservice equipment manufacturer Middleby Corp. has made a few personnel updates. Mark Easterday will retire from his role as executive vice president of Middleby Brand Sales at the end of the year. Company veteran Christina Barker has been named vice president of marketing and digital sales for Middleby’s Commercial Foodservice Group and Mitch Cohen will expand his current role as group vice president to oversee Middleby brand sales.

Winco hired Christian Yungbluth and Mark Massey to serve as category sales director – equipment division and regional sales director – east region.

Stainless Specialties Inc. has been acquired by North American Kitchen Solutions, an Ohio-based foodservice equipment manufacturer.

Foodservice equipment manufacturer Atosa USA made a series of personnel moves that will take effect on January 1, 2024.

Refrigerated Solutions Group hired Brian Kadel to serve as director of dealer sales for the parent company of Norlake and Master-Bilt. He replaces Bob Stevens who will transition into the newly created role of director of consultant services.

Southbend & Crown Steam Group made several key changes to its sales organization. Bob Tribfelner was promoted to vice president of sales for the Crown Steam Group. Mark Fogarty joins the Southbend and Crown team as vice president of national accounts. And Southbend & Crown tapped Matt Scola and Christopher Perruccio to serve in regional vice president roles.

A South Korean robotics company has established a North American headquarters in New York City. Refrigerated Solutions Group, RPI Industries, Southbend & Crown Steam Group have each made several key changes to their sales organizations. And RATIONAL added two corporate chefs.

Foodservice industry veteran Todd Griffith has joined RPI Industries as vice president of sales.

Commercial cooking equipment manufacturer RATIONAL adds two corporate chefs.

Aniai, a robotics company operating in the commercial kitchen space, has established a North American headquarters in New York City. The South Korean company also hired Eric Hansen to serve as its director of sales.

Allied Buying Corporation, a dealer-based foodservice equipment and supplies buying group, honored its suppliers with several annual awards.

Commercial cooking equipment manufacturer RATIONAL promoted six of its associates.

Alto-Shaam promoted Kristina Bladecki to corporate executive chef.

Accurex appointed Jackson Smith vice president for the Wisconsin manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation equipment.

Refrigerated Solutions Group hired Keith Long to serve as vice president of customer experience for the parent company of Master-Bilt and Norlake.

The Vollrath Company added chief executive officer duties to Erik Lampe’s role.

New Jersey-based manufacturer Krowne hired Owen Anderson to serve as territory sales manager – east for its plumbing division.

Multiline foodservice equipment manufacturer CFS Brands has added to its portfolio by acquiring The Foodware Group, which manufactures and sells front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house supplies and smallwares. Founded in 2018, The Foodware Group consists of two more widely known foodservice brands: G.E.T. and Winco.

Lots of news from the manufacturer community. Multiline foodservice equipment manufacturer CFS Brands buys the parent company of G.E.T. and Winco. Carpigiani and Structural Concepts add to their teams. Additionally, Vulcan found its next VP after its announcement that Chris Stern will retire as vice president and general manager for the Baltimore, MD-based manufacturer.

Carpigiani North America tapped Leandra Olivotti to serve as vice president of sales and network development for North and Central America.

Chris Stern will retire from his role as vice president and general manager of Vulcan, effective February 16, 2024. As part of the factory’s planned transition, Meghan Hurst will assume Stern’s role effective January 1, 2024, per a company release.

Structural Concepts added two foodservice industry veterans to its sales team.

Commercial cooking manufacturer RATIONAL USA promoted Bill Roller and John Bero to sales director roles for its south and west divisions. These promotions take effect October 1, 2023.

Ken Harris will become vice president of sales for ACP, Inc., an Ali Group company, effective October 2.

Franke Foodservice Systems tapped Toby Campbell to serve as vice president of global marketing.

Alto-Shaam named Steve Maahs its new CEO and announced former CEO Karen Hansen will now serve as chairman of the board.

Foodservice industry veteran Jennifer Rennon Allen was named director of sales for Tuxton, a wholesaler of dinnerware and ovenware products for the foodservice industry.

Former Franke Foodservice Systems executive Jason Meredith is now director of sales for Carpigiani, a North Carolina-based factory that’s part of Ali Group.

Welbilt made a trio of updates to its sales organization. Jo Heitzman will retire from her role as vice president of global strategic accounts for Welbilt, effective October 2, 2023.

RATIONAL USA made four updates to its key accounts team.