Middleby Acquires India-Based Cold Equipment Company

The Middleby Corp. has acquired the commercial refrigeration and foodservice products business of Celfrost Innovations Pvt. Ltd. Celfrost, based in Gurgaon, India, has annual sales of approximately $20 million. The Celfrost business was acquired by Middleby’s newly established entity in India, Middleby Commercial Food Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

Celfrost offers a broad line of cold-holding and storage equipment including refrigerators, ice machines, freezers and walk-ins, marketed under the Celfrost brand, to many of India’s fast-growing restaurant chains and hotel groups. The purchase by Elgin, Ill.-based Middleby was announced Oct. 15.

“With the acquisition of Celfrost, Middleby will strengthen its presence in the fast- growing market of India and expand our commercial foodservice product offerings in India to include complementary cold-side products alongside our cooking and warming brands,” said Selim Bassoul, chairman and CEO of The Middleby Corp.

“Celfrost has an extensive marketing and service network in India, including 15 brand centers that we will strategically leverage to support Middleby’s entire portfolio of brands in the market,” Bassoul added. “We are also excited about the opportunity to introduce the Celfrost brand and portfolio of products into other emerging markets utilizing Middleby’s existing sales and marketing infrastructure.”