Marlen International, Inc., a Riverside, Mo.-based division of Duravant, Downers Grove, Ill., acquired Unitherm Food Systems, Inc., a Bristow, Okla.-based manufacturer of thermal food processing equipment. The acquisition expands Marlen’s ability to deliver custom, best-of-breed, continuous thermal and chilling food processing equipment and further strengthens Marlen’s offerings in the meat and protein sector.

Unitherm maintains a global footprint with offices in the Netherlands and Thailand. Its portfolio includes highly advanced hygienic cooking, chilling, pasteurizing and freezing equipment as well as a full suite of value-added services, including process improvement consultations, food safety audits, executive chef consultations and R&D support.

“Marlen is a respected leader in custom-built thermal technologies, and we are extremely excited to add Unitherm to our portfolio,” says Bob Campbell, president of Marlen. “Partnering with the Unitherm team strengthens our position as the premier provider of thermal solutions in every market we serve, and further supports our strategy of serving the industry through the delivery of innovative processes and customer support before, during and after the sale.”

Unitherm water cook systems, spiral chillers and freezers, complete frying lines and pre- and post-package pasteurization complement Marlen’s existing offering of thermal solutions such as batch ovens and chillers, industrial smokehouses and dehydrators.

“Marlen and Unitherm clearly have a shared passion for quality, performance and innovation,” says Mark Smith, senior vice president and general manager of Unitherm. “Our team of dedicated associates looks forward with great anticipation to leveraging our joint strengths and continuing to pursue our mission of being trusted partners to customers worldwide. Unitherm reached a size where tapping into the deep resources of Marlen and Duravant will help us make the next leap in growth and performance.”

Unitherm will continue to be based in its current manufacturing, sales and test facilities, while also gaining access to Marlen’s world-class solution center and customer support operations in Riverside.