Family-Led. Future Driven.
As a multi-generational, privately-owned company, we've put people at the center of what we do since 1955. Our commitment extends beyond the kitchen - it's woven into the fabric of who we are. As a leading manufacturer of premium foodservice equipment, we relentlessly pursue what's next with an appetite for quality and innovation. We strive to build success for our customers, partners and employees.
1950
How it started
Jerry Maahs first enter the foodservice industry, purchasing a Chicken Delight store with humble means. Over 13 years, Jerry grows the business to 13 locations.
Operator Innovation
Jerry begins experimenting with heating methods to keep chicken hot for his customers in cold Wisconsin winters.
What's in a name?
Jerry Maahs buys Alto Distributing Company (owned by Al and Tom) to launch his holding products. Paired with the Maahs family name spelled backwards, the name Alto-Shaam is born.
Alto-Shaam becomes incorporated on January 26, 1955, marking the beginning of a new venture in foodservice equipment.
1960
Invention of Halo
The invention of Halo Heat® technology emerges from Jerry's experiments to keep food warm for home delivery. Jerry outfitted the box into VW bug delivery vehicles.
Boldly Leading
Jerry takes a risk to step away from his restaurant franchises to exclusively design and manufacture foodservice equipment.
Debuting Halo Heat
Responding to a customer's need, Alto-Shaam invents the original Cook & Hold oven, creating anew category of low-temperature cooking. Jerry showcases his invention at the 1968 National Restaurant Association Show.
Breaking Ground
Alto-Shaam opens its first manufacturing location, a 7,500 square foot building located on Kiehnau Avenue in Milwaukee, WI.
1970
New Innovations
Alto-Shaam pioneers new holding solutions by expanding the Halo Heat® product line to include waterless wells, hot food tables, carving stations and heated displays.
Domestic Growth
As demand for its product line grows, Alto-Shaam relocates to a 22,000 square foot manufacturing facility on Flint Road in Milwaukee, WI.
A Global Vision
With his sights set on further growth, Jerry pursues the global market by establishing export relationships with Canada, Russia and across Europe and Asia.
Previously unheard of for a family-owned company of its size, Jerry shares his success by becoming a fierce advocate for global trade, showing other entrepreneurs how to navigate political and business complexities.
Global Headquarters
Alto-Shaam outgrows its Flint Road facilities and begins building its global headquarters in Menomonee Falls, WI, greatly expanding its operations.
1980
Exporting Excellence
Alto-Shaam receives the Presidential "E" Star Award from the federal government for its international exporting achievements, highlighting its global growth of establishing two warehouses and product distribution in 30 countries.
Unified Growth
Alto-Shaam operates two sales divisions to service its growing domestic market: retail to work with convenience and grocery store chains; and foodservice for traditional restaurant customers.
System Solution
Alto-Shaam is the first manufacturer to provide a complete equipment ‘system solution’ for each stage of the food production process, including cooking, holding, displaying, and serving products.
Family Legacy
The second generation of Maahs leadership joins the company in the late 1980s, with Jerry’s daughter, Karen Hansen, leading the retail division and his son, Steve Maahs, in Inside Sales.
1990
A Combi First
Through global expansion endeavors, Jerry discovered combi cooking technology in Europe. Despite resistance to diversifying beyond Alto-Shaam's reputation for low-temperature solutions, Jerry became the first U.S. manufacturer of combi ovens, thereby introducing a groundbreaking cooking style to the domestic market.
Educating Customers
With the introduction of combination cooking, Alto-Shaam begins educating customers about the benefits of consolidating a convection oven and steamer into a single piece of equipment. The culinary team expands to research recipes, define best practices and train customers on a whole new way to prepare food.
Gaining Traction
Combi ovens become the heart of a broadened ‘system solution’, with accelerated adoption with large retail chains.
Global Breakthrough
Alto-Shaam continues to serve its growing global markets by establishing sales offices in France and China.
Expanding global HQ
Achieving worldwide success, Alto-Shaam expands its global headquarters in Menomonee Falls, WI, bringing the total footprint to over 300,000 square feet. The Alto-Shaam team grows as new departments are introduced.
2000
Second Generation Leadership
Karen Hansen becomes CEO and Chairwoman of the Board and Steve Maahs is appointed President and COO in 2006.
Expert-led Demos
Together, Steve and Karen simplify the distribution network for retail and foodservice customers in the United States. Manufacturer’s representatives elevate their facilities and teams to include test kitchens and expert chefs. Customers around the country began attending live cooking demonstrations of complete system solutions.
Honoring Jerry
Jerry Maahs passes away in 2006 after a courageous battle with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and leadership. Alto-Shaam dedicates itself to fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in his memory.
Lean Transformation
While navigating a recession, Alto-Shaam invests in further operational excellence by expanding its global headquarters and adopting transformational lean manufacturing principles.
2010
Optimizing Efficiency
The new CombiTouch™ control for the Combitherm® oven is unveiled, winning a Kitchen Innovation Award. Alto-Shaam further enhances its combination oven technology to include an automatic grease collection system.
Generational Growth
Third-generation family members join the business as employees in sales, culinary, and operations.
A New Category
Alto-Shaam invents the multi-cook category with the introduction of Vector® multi-cook ovens featuring patented Structured Air Technology®, winning yet another Kitchen Innovation Award.
2020
Pioneering Forward
With no playbook to overcome market challenges of COVID-19, Alto-Shaam defied convention by expanding rather than contracting, investing heavily in product innovation and an enhanced customer experience.
Digital Future
Alto-Shaam launches ChefLinc™, a proprietary IoT remote oven management system, allowing operators to manage their ovens from anywhere.
Multi-Cook Expands
Building on the success of the Vector oven, Alto-Shaam expands the multi-cook category by introducing the Converge® multi-cook oven, providing up to three independent combination ovens in one.
Senior Leadership
Alto-Shaam makes a series of senior leadership promotions, with Steve Maahs becoming CEO and Karen Hansen the Chairwoman of the Board.
Global Operations
Alto-Shaam expands global operations by building a new manufacturing facility in India, producing Halo Heat® products for a growing regional market.
A Legacy of Impact
Third generation leadership establishes the Maahs Family Foundation to support charitable industry and community causes.
Innovation Center
Alto-Shaam constructs an Innovation Center and warehouse, expanding engineering and manufacturing capacity at the global headquarters in Menomonee Falls, which now covers over 450,000 square feet.
