Marlen International, Inc., a Riverside, Mo.-based subsidiary of Duravant LLC, Downers Grove, Ill., acquired Afoheat, a Belgium-based provider of gas-powered heating, roasting, searing and grilling equipment solutions for the food industry.

Afoheat’s product portfolio is a natural extension of Marlen’s thermal processing solutions, which includes batch ovens, chillers and dehydrators.

“The addition of Afoheat to Marlen’s product portfolio brings a welcome set of new technologies and competencies [that] will further enhance our ability to serve our diverse customer base while helping them produce and market high-quality food products across the globe,” says Bob Campbell, president of Marlen International. “Afoheat has a strong reputation for quality and reliability, and we’re excited to leverage our combined knowledge and expertise to broaden our footprint in the marketplace.”

Afoheat’s offering consists of continuous gas-powered infrared and direct flame technologies designed to enhance the appearance, aroma and taste of value-added meat and poultry, fish, vegetables and baked goods.

“Our team at Afoheat is very excited to be part of the Marlen family, which, through their considerable resources, will help accelerate our growth and original vision of becoming a worldwide leader in our niche in the marketplace,” says Wim Clays, managing director of Afoheat.

Afoheat will continue to be based in its current manufacturing, sales and test facility in Western Belgium, which will serve as a Europe-based extension of Marlen’s manufacturing footprint and world-class solution center.