A leading supplier of foodservice equipment,The Middleby Corp., Elgin, Ill., said it purchased the food processing equipment ofCozzini Inc., Chicago. Terms were not disclosed. Officials said Cozzini -- previously part of Italy's Cozzini Group -- has approximately $30 million in global annual sales.

“We are very pleased to have completed the acquisition of Cozzini," said Selim A. Bassoul, Middleby chairman and CEO.  “Cozzini is a premier brand with leading market positions. The broad line of Cozzini product offerings include grinding, slicing, emulsification, mixing and blending equipment, which complement our existing products offered under the Alkar, MP Equipment, and RapidPak brands. This acquisition significantly strengthens our leadership position in the food processing industry.”

Middleby said Ivo Cozzini joined Middleby as Cozzini division president.

"Ivo brings significant industry experience and deep customer relationships to Middleby, which will benefit the overall group," noted Bassoul. "In addition to continuing as the division president of Cozzini, Ivo will have leadership responsibilities at Middleby in further expanding our food processing platform through the acquisition and development of new market opportunities.”

Middleby's other food process equipment companies areAlkar-RapidPak Inc., a Lodi, Wis., supplier of cooking and chilling equipment and food packaging machinery; andMP Equipment Company, a Buford, Ga., supplier of meat, poultry and seafood processing equipment.