The Middleby Corp., Elgin, Ill., entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Standex International’s Cooking Solutions Group, which consists of the APW Wyott, Bakers Pride, BKI and Ultrafryer brands.

“The Standex cooking brands are well recognized and respected in the foodservice industry. This acquisition adds to the product portfolio and expands the customers and markets [that] Middleby serves. BKI has a strong presence in the retail segment, a market in which Middleby has historically had limited representation, providing for a complementary fit and growth opportunities within this customer segment, which can extend to other Middleby products. Ultrafryer’s unique high-efficiency and high-capacity frying technology broadens our product offerings and expands our customer opportunity,” says Tim FitzGerald, chief executive officer of The Middleby Corp. “The APW and Bakers Pride brands also further extend and complement our existing portfolio of cooking products, and bring a new manufacturing footprint for Middleby in Mexico to better serve Latin America.”

Standex Cooking Solutions Group is based in Allen, Texas, including three manufacturing sites and two distribution centers. Products include combination and convection ovens, fryers, ranges, food merchandisers and warmers.