Marmon Food, Beverage & Water Technologies Co., a Chicago-based division of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., acquired Angelo Po, an Italy-based manufacturer of professional catering equipment, from horizontal and vertical cooking ranges to food preservation systems.

The acquisition creates major technological, production and commercial synergies that will drive rapid and substantial expansion worldwide.

Through its foodservice technologies businesses, Marmon designs and manufactures equipment for the preparation of hot and cold foods in leading quick-serve food outlets and other commercial and institutional markets globally. Additionally, through its beverage technologies businesses, Marmon supplies beverage dispensing and cooling equipment to leading global beverage brands and foodservice retailers.

The acquisition is aimed to further strengthen the Angelo Po brand. Production will be maintained at the Carpi and Ascoli Piceno, Italy.

Rossella Po, co-owner of Angela Po, will continue in the role of executive president. Currently, the group employs 450 people with three production units in Italy and four foreign branches.

“This operation is an excellent opportunity for our group to accelerate the current process of consolidation and internationalization and to take our model of a successful family business to the level of the top global players, also thanks to the work done by Alessandro Po and Livio Gialdini,” adds Po. “Marmon is the perfect partner in order to guarantee the entrepreneurial values and culture of excellence that has marked the history of our group and our family. I am truly delighted to be able to tackle the coming challenges that await us on the global market together with Marmon.”

“The agreement announced today is extremely gratifying for our business because it is a perfect expression of the investment logic that has characterized Marmon’s history within Berkshire Hathaway,” says Fabrizio Valentini, president and CEO of Marmon. “With the inclusion of Angelo Po, we are creating an exceptional foundation for expansion from a technological and geographical point of view. Angelo Po has a wealth of extraordinary expertise, and together we are creating a group that covers every item of equipment used by the catering community. We are planning to invest heavily in the sector, which is a wonderful opportunity for development, and Angelo Po is a fundamental asset for this growth.”

“Angelo Po will become the global strategic hub for our restaurant and catering technologies sector,” adds Massimo Aleardi, sector president of Marmon and the new CEO of Angelo Po. “The primary objective now is to accelerate the growth in international markets by combining the excellence and expertise of Angelo Po with the global presence of Marmon to best effect. We will ensure focus and resources with the same priority and passion for constant innovation in the products and services offered in order to meet the most demanding requirements of current and future clients in the commercial restaurant and catering sector.”