MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- Foodservice equipment maker Alto-Shaam Inc. has received the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award, an annual recognition of excellence in manufacturing.
Here are three reasons why:
- Innovation. Alto-Shaam continues to embrace technology as a way to enhance the company’s manufacturing velocity, while still keeping employees and job growth top of mind, said the company. Over the past five years, this innovation has provided an uptick in sales, as well as employee growth, with the company having increased headcount by 50%.
- Culture. Employees are empowered to be the pulse of their success through the company’s focus on culture and top-down and bottom-up leadership that bridges the gap between the shop floor and front office. Additionally, each employee is invested in the financial health of the organization through participation in the company’s gain sharing program, which rewards employees for their contribution to overall corporate objectives.
- Growth. Alto-Shaam continues to see organic growth of the business at a rate of more than 15% annually since 2010. Through new-product development, customer channel growth and customer service, the company continues to be a top performer in global markets.
Recognized for its commitment to innovation, philanthropy, technological advances, commitment to customer satisfaction and quality jobs, Alto-Shaam was one of six Wisconsin companies to be honored this year.
“Alto-Shaam is honored to have been recognized as Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year,” said Steve Maahs, president of Alto-Shaam. “I’m grateful to our employees whose combined efforts have helped us get to where we are today and drive Alto-Shaam to continue as a leader in the industry.”
Jerry Maahs founded Alto-Shaam more than 60 years ago in a garage. He was just looking for a way to deliver hot chicken to customers during Wisconsin's frigid winters when he developed the first Alto-Shaam oven.
Since then, Alto-Shaam has continually responded to industry needs to ensure that all foodservice providers have access to high-quality cooking equipment. Alto-Shaam has grown to become a worldwide leader and innovator in the global commercial foodservice equipment industry.
“My dad had a true entrepreneurial spirit,” Steve Maahs said. “The Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year award allows us to honor his spirit and contributions to the regional manufacturing community. My dad started with nothing, but he created something special for the workers of Wisconsin and foodservice operators throughout the world.”
Celebrating its 28th year, the Manufacturer of the Year Award program recognizes manufacturers of all sizes and industries for all that they do to drive the Wisconsin economy. It evaluates companies in areas such as financial growth or consistency, technological advances, product development, environmental solutions and sustainability, operational excellence/continuous improvement, commitment to employees and effective research and development. An independent panel of judges selected the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award winners.
Alto-Shaam's award was for large manufacturing companies with 300 to 750 employees.
Alto-Shaam is a leader in the global commercial foodservice equipment industry. With a core business in primary cooking equipment, it offers a portfolio that includes Combitherm ovens, Halo-Heat cook and hold ovens, Xcelerate Hi-Speed ovens, smoker ovens, heated holding technologies, heated display and merchandising solutions, QuickChiller rapid chill units, FryTech high-efficiency fryers, rotisserie ovens, convection ovens, and drop-in hot and cold wells. It is also a leader in providing integrated food production systems for cook/chill, banqueting and rethermalization applications. Alto-Shaam’s headquarters, manufacturing facility, Culinary Institute and Technical Institute are in Menomonee Falls, Wis.
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