Fortifi Food Processing Solutions has acquired I.J. White Systems (IJW), a designer and builder of specialized spiral cooling, freezing and conveying systems for the food industry. The purchase price was not disclosed in the sources.
IJW also supplies the bakery, dairy, prepared foods, protein, seafood and other food-production markets with proofing, hot/hold, pouch and hydro-chilling, and in-pan cooling systems, along with cleaning and sanitation packages.
"I.J. White brings proven spiral cooling and freezing technologies to Fortifi and strengthens how we serve food processors," Fortifi CEO Massimo Bizzi said. "By combining IJW's expertise with our existing capabilities, we can provide more complete solutions for customers in bakery, prepared foods and other markets. We look forward to welcoming the IJW team and building on the company's strong record of practical engineering and responsive customer service."
Founded in lower Manhattan in 1919 by Irving John White, the company began as a reseller and manufacturers' representative. In 1965, IJW began designing and manufacturing the vertical processing systems that remain central to its business. Built over three generations of White family ownership, most recently under the leadership of Peter White, IJW designs and manufactures its products in Farmingdale, New York. Its Ultra Series Systems incorporate integrated refrigeration, heating, hydrothermal and steam technologies to deliver controlled, energy-efficient product heat transfer from +210°F down to -40°F.
"After a century of family leadership, I am confident in our company's future as part of Fortifi Food Processing Solutions," Peter White said. "Fortifi shares our commitment to understanding customers' needs and developing products that deliver practical, lasting value."
Fortifi said the acquisition expands its thermal processing portfolio and broadens its capabilities in bakery, where frozen formats are changing production and distribution. According to the source, freezing enables centralized production of bakery products that can ship farther and be finished closer to the point of sale.
"Demand for specialty bakery and diverse ready-to-eat products is increasing the need for reliable cooling, freezing and product-handling systems," said Mark Dowdle, executive vice president of strategy and business development for Fortifi. "I.J. White has built a strong North American business around that need, with a substantial installed base and long-standing customer relationships. Additionally, Fortifi's broad commercial presence and in-region service capabilities give us a clear path to bring IJW's solutions to more processors in Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand."
IJW employees will join Fortifi's ownership program, which provides all employees with the opportunity to participate in the benefits of equity ownership.