WINSTON-SALEM, NC (January 9, 2014) – Beverage-Air, manufacturer of a
complete line of commercial refrigeration products, announced today that
2014 marks the 70th anniversary of the company.
Beverage-Air, founded in 1944 by John Buffington in Punxsutawney, PA,
became the leader in the foodservice industry by inventing the first
horizontal, forced-air cooler in the Deep Well Series. The company was
then known as The Punxsutawney Company with a trade name of
“Beverage-Air.”
As the business steadily grew and the demand for commercial
refrigeration products increased, John brought his brother Herman
Buffington on board to help continue to grow the business. This venture
would help to make Beverage-Air a nationwide commercial brand by the
late 1950’s and early 1960’s.
By 1950, Beverage-Air further developed the “air cooled beverage system”
for horizontal coolers and expanded the product line to include shallow
wells, club bars, dairy models, cube makers and direct draw systems.
With business booming in 1958, the decision was made to build a new
manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, SC. This facility became the
corporate headquarters and the company was renamed Beverage-Air. The
industry’s first glass door merchandisers and reach-in coolers were
produced at this facility beginning in 1966.
To accommodate continued growth in 1969, a second facility was built in
Brookville, PA. The original Punxsutawney Company closed its doors and
all operations were moved to Brookville and Spartanburg. These
facilities would see numerous expansions between 1972 and 1990. To meet
customer demands and manufacturing requirements, Beverage-Air
constructed a third facility in Honea Path, SC in 1995.
Throughout the years, the company changed ownership by way of several
acquisitions. In 1972, Buffington sold the company to Tannetics, Inc.,
and was operated by Clinton G. Gerlach. Tannetics was sold to Gerlach
Industries, Inc. in 1983. Gerlach Industries, Inc. made the decision to
sell the company to Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc. in 1986.
Beverage-Air remained a part of Specialty Equipment until it was sold to
Carrier Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation in
the year 2000.
Finally in 2008, the Ali Group acquired Beverage-Air. The Ali Group is
the largest and most diversified global leader in the foodservice
equipment industry, consisting of 76 brands worldwide.
In 2010, the corporate headquarters was relocated to a newly
constructed, LEED® certified facility in Winston-Salem, NC where it
remains today as part of the Ali Group North America Campus.
In commemoration of its 70th anniversary, Beverage-Air has published a
collectible 2014 Calendar that illustrates old/new model innovations
with product benefits and features throughout the years. To receive a
copy of the limited edition calendar, please contact Beverage-Air at sales@bevair.com.
For 70 years, Beverage-Air has been dedicated to being the leader in
innovative refrigeration equipment solutions. The goal of the company is
to blend its heritage of leadership, exceptional product quality, and
solution based engineering to provide customers with a comprehensive
range of refrigeration equipment and unmatched aftermarket service.
Beverage-Air is a global leader and preferred manufacturer for
commercial refrigeration products in the foodservice industry.
About Beverage-Air
Beverage-Air is a division of the Ali Group based in Winston-Salem, NC.
Founded in 1944 by John Buffington, Beverage-Air is a leading
manufacturer of commercial refrigeration equipment to the foodservice
industry.
Beverage-Air provides the best value, most diverse product offering, and
unmatched quality in the commercial refrigeration equipment industry.
Products include reach-in refrigerators and freezers, worktop and
undercounters, sandwich and pizza food preparation units, chef bases,
blast chillers, glass door merchandisers, school milk coolers,open-air
merchandisers, bar equipment including: backbar, deep well, and direct
draw models. With 70 years of experience in designing and building
commercial refrigeration products, Beverage-Air and its employees are
dedicated to excellence in engineering, manufacturing and customer
service. Beverage-Air products are manufactured in Brookville, PA, with
corporate headquarters located in Winston-Salem, NC.
For more information on Beverage-Air products and services, please visit www.beverage-air.com.
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