MIDDLEBY Corp (MIDD) Business

Item 1.      Business

General

The Middleby Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Middleby” or the “company”), through its operating subsidiary Middleby Marshall Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Middleby Marshall”) and its subsidiaries, is a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and service of a broad line of (i) foodservice equipment, integrated IoT solutions and universal controllers used in all types of commercial restaurants and institutional kitchens and (ii) food preparation, cooking, baking, chilling and packaging equipment for food processing operations.

Founded in 1888 as a manufacturer of baking ovens, Middleby Marshall Oven Company was acquired in 1983 by TMC Industries Ltd., a publicly traded company that changed its name in 1985 to The Middleby Corporation. The company has established itself as a leading provider of (i) commercial restaurant equipment and (ii) food processing equipment as a result of its acquisition of industry leading brands and through the introduction of innovative products.

The company's annual reports on Form 10-K, including this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports are available, free of charge, on the company's website, www.middleby.com. These reports are available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Discontinued Operations

On December 4, 2025, the company entered into a partnership interest purchase agreement to sell a 51% stake in its Residential Kitchen Equipment Group to an affiliate of 26North Partners LP in a transaction valuing the business at $885 million (the “Residential Transaction”).

The Residential Transaction was completed on February 2, 2026. Following the close of the Residential Transaction, the company owns a 49% non-controlling interest in a new standalone joint venture holding the business. The company received net cash proceeds of approximately $565 million and a $135 million promissory note from the joint venture, subject to future closing adjustments.

The results of the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group are presented as discontinued operations in the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Residential Kitchen Equipment Group was historically presented as a reportable segment. See Notes 1 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Proposed Separation Transaction

On February 25, 2025, the company announced its intent to separate its Food Processing business through a spin-off of the Food Processing business, under which the stock of Food Processing, as a new independent publicly traded company, will be distributed to Middleby’s shareholders. As of the date hereof, Middleby is targeting completion of the separation in the second quarter of 2026, subject to certain customary conditions, including, among others, final approval by the company’s Board of Directors and the effectiveness of appropriate filings with the SEC. The spin-off of Food Processing is expected to be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. There can be no assurance that any separation transaction will ultimately occur or, if one does occur, of its terms or timing.

Business Segments and Products

The company conducts its business through two principal business segments: the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and the Food Processing Equipment Group. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the company's business segments.

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group

The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group has a broad portfolio of foodservice equipment, which enable it to serve virtually any cooking, warming, holding, refrigeration, freezing and beverage application within a commercial kitchen or foodservice operation. This equipment is used across all types of foodservice operations, including quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, ghost kitchens, convenience stores, supermarkets, retail outlets, hotels and other institutions.

The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group's leading portfolio of trade names includes Anets, APW Wyott, Bakers Pride, Beech Ovens, BKI, Blodgett, Blodgett Combi, Bloomfield, Blue Sparq, Britannia, Carter-Hoffmann, Celfrost, Concordia, CookTek, Crown, CTX, Desmon, Deutsche Beverage, Doyon, Emery Thompson, Eswood, EVO, Firex, Flavor Burst, Follett, Frifri, Globe, Goldstein, Holman, Houno, Hydra Rinse, Icetro, IMC, Imperial, Induc, Jade, JoeTap, Josper, Kloppenberg, L2F, Lang, Lincat, Marco, MagiKitch’n, Market Forge, Marsal, Marvel Scientific, Mercury, Middleby Marshall, Newton CFV, Nieco, Nu-Vu, Perfect Fry, Pitco, Powerhouse Dynamics, QualServ, RAM, Southbend, Ss Brewtech, Star, Starline, Sveba

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Dahlen, Synesso, Taylor, Terry, Toastmaster, TurboChef, U-Line Commercial, Ultrafryer, Varimixer, Viking Commercial, Wells, Wild Goose Filling and Wunder-Bar.

The products offered by this group include conveyor ovens, combi-ovens, convection ovens, baking ovens, proofing ovens, deck ovens, high-speed cooking ovens, hydrovection ovens, ranges, fryers, rethermalizers, steam cooking equipment, food warming equipment, catering equipment, heated cabinets, charbroilers, ventless cooking systems, kitchen ventilation, induction cooking equipment, countertop cooking equipment, toasters, griddles, charcoal grills, professional mixers, stainless steel fabrication, custom millwork, professional refrigerators, blast chillers, coldrooms, ice machines, freezers, frozen dessert equipment, soft serve ice cream equipment, coffee and beverage dispensing equipment, home and professional craft brewing equipment, fry dispensers, bottle filling and canning equipment, IoT solutions and controls development and manufacturing.

Food Processing Equipment Group

The Food Processing Equipment Group offers a broad portfolio of processing solutions for customers producing protein products, such as bacon, salami and dry cure, sausage and hot dogs, egg bites, poultry, alternative protein, case ready, lunch meat and pet food, and producers of bakery products, such as bread and buns, artisan bread, sweet goods, cakes and muffins, cookies, crackers, pizza and pastries, tortillas and snacks. Through its broad line of products, the company is able to deliver a wide array of cooking solutions to service a variety of food processing requirements demanded by its customers. The company can offer highly integrated solutions that provide a food processing operation a uniquely integrated solution providing for the highest level of food quality, product consistency, and reduced operating costs resulting from increased product yields, increased capacity and greater throughput and reduced labor costs through automation.

The Food Processing Equipment Group's leading portfolio of trade names includes Alkar, Armor Inox, Auto-Bake, Baker Thermal Solutions, Burford, Colussi Ermes, Cozzini, CV-Tek, Danfotech, Drake, Escher, Filtration Automation, Frigomeccanica, GBT GmbH Bakery, Glimek, Gorreri, Hinds-Bock, Inline Filling Systems, JC Ford, Key-Log, Maurer-Atmos, Maxmac, MP Equipment, Oka, Pacproinc, Proxaut, RapidVisionPak, Scanico, Spooner Vicars, Stewart Systems, Sveba Dahlen, Thurne, and Vemac.

The products offered by this group include a comprehensive suite of cooking and baking solutions, including mixers, make-up lines, batch ovens, proofers, conveyor belt ovens, spiral ovens, serpentine ovens and other continuous processing ovens, frying systems and automated thermal processing systems. The company also provides a comprehensive portfolio of complementary food preparation equipment such as tumblers, massagers, grinders, slicers, reduction and emulsion systems, mixers, blenders, battering equipment, breading equipment, seeding equipment, water cutting systems, food presses, food suspension equipment, filling and depositing solutions and forming equipment, as well as a variety of automated loading and unloading systems, automated washing systems, auto-guided vehicles, food safety, food handling, cooling, freezing, defrosting and packaging equipment. This portfolio of equipment can be integrated to provide customers a highly efficient and customized solution.

Acquisition Strategy

The company has pursued a strategy to acquire and assemble a leading portfolio of brands and technologies. Over the past two years, the company has completed seven acquisitions to add to its portfolio of brands and technologies of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and Food Processing Equipment Group. These acquisitions have added seven brands to the Middleby portfolio and positioned the company as a leading provider of equipment in each respective industry. These acquisitions were not individually material and were acquired for an aggregate purchase price totaling $153.6 million, net of cash acquired.

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group

•October 2024: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Emery Thompson Machine & Supply Co. ("Emery Thompson"), a well-known manufacturer of frozen dessert equipment, located in Brooksville, Florida.

Food Processing Equipment Group

•February 2024: The company completed its acquisition of certain assets of GBT GmbH Bakery Technology ("GBT"), a company experienced in the engineering and manufacturing of high-grade industrial baking and bread lines, located in Lunen, Germany.

•April 2024: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Maxmac Comercio, Importacao, Exportacao De Maquinas E Equipmentos LTDA. (“Maxmac”), a manufacturer of food processing equipment, located in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

•November 2024: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of JC Ford, Inc. (“JC Ford”), a leader in chip and tortilla production systems, located in Columbia, Tennessee.

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•November 2024: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Gorreri Food Processing Technology (“Gorreri”), a leading manufacturer of equipment for the baked goods industry, located near Parma, Italy.

•July 2025: The company completed its acquisition of all the capital stock of Frigomeccanica S.p.A. (“Frigomeccanica”), a global leader in equipment solutions for drying, defrosting, fermentation, refrigeration and preservation used in the food processing industry, located in Parma, Italy.

•August 2025: The company completed its acquisition of all the capital stock of OKA-Spezialmaschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG (“Oka”), a leading designer and manufacturer of industrial extrusion, molding, depositing and cutting industrial production equipment in bakery, confectionery and pet-food markets, located in Darmstadt, Germany.

The Customers and Market

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Industry

The company's end-user customers include: (i) fast food, fast casual and quick-service restaurants, including ghost kitchens, (ii) full-service restaurants, including casual-theme restaurants, (iii) retail outlets, such as convenience stores, supermarkets and department stores and (iv) public and private institutions, such as hotels, resorts, schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, stadiums, airports, corporate cafeterias, college and universities, military facilities and government agencies. The company's domestic sales are primarily through independent dealers and distributors and are marketed by the company's sales personnel and network of independent manufacturers' representatives. Many of the dealers in the U.S. belong to buying groups that negotiate sales terms with the company. Certain large multi-national restaurant and hotel chain customers have purchasing organizations that manage product procurement for their systems. Included in these customers are several large multi-national restaurant chains.

The commercial foodservice equipment industry growth opportunities in the United States are driven by the development of new quick-service and casual-theme restaurant chain concepts, the expansion of foodservice into nontraditional locations such as convenience stores and retail outlets, as well as store equipment modernization driven by efforts to improve efficiencies within foodservice operations. In the international markets, foodservice equipment manufacturers leverage growth opportunities within emerging international economies and as U.S. chains expand into developing regions.

The company believes that the worldwide commercial foodservice equipment market has sales in excess of $35.0 billion. The company believes that continuing growth in demand for foodservice equipment will result from the development of new restaurant concepts in the U.S. and the expansion of U.S. and foreign chains into international markets, the replacement and upgrade of existing equipment and new equipment requirements resulting from menu changes, menu diversity, labor reallocation and consumer food trends.

The company is developing innovations to solve the challenges within our customers' operations. We believe automated equipment that addresses labor issues will provide our customers a meaningful return on their investment. We believe innovative equipment solutions, including integrated IoT platforms and universal controllers, will allow restaurateurs to scale their operations quickly and leverage data to make operational decisions to improve efficiency.

Food Processing Equipment Industry

The company's customers include a diversified base of leading food processors. Customers include some of the largest international food processing companies. A large portion of the company's revenues have been generated from producers of protein products such as bacon, salami and dry cure, sausage and hot dogs, egg bites, poultry, alternative protein, case ready, lunch meat and pet food, and producers of bakery products, such as bread and buns, artisan bread, sweet goods, cakes and muffins, cookies, crackers, pizza and pastries, tortillas and snacks.

The food processing industry historically was highly fragmented; however, increasing competition has led to more consolidation with the emergence of large conglomerates that possess a variety of food brands. The consolidation of food processing plants associated with industry mergers and acquisitions drives a need for more flexible and efficient equipment that is capable of processing large volumes of consistent quality products in quicker cycle times. In recent years, food processors have had to conform to the demands of “big box” retailers and the restaurant industry, including, most importantly, greater product consistency and exact package weights. Food processors increasingly are partnering with equipment manufacturers that develop technologies offering better process control for proven product consistency, innovative packaging designs and other solutions. To protect their own brands and reputations, retailers and large restaurant chains are also dictating food safety standards that are often stricter than government regulations.

A number of factors, including raw material prices, cost of ownership of their equipment, labor and health care costs, are driving food processors to focus on ways to improve their generally thin profitability margins. In order to increase the profitability and efficiency in processing plants, food processors pay increasingly more attention to the performance of their machinery and the flexibility in the functionality of the equipment. Food processors are continuously looking for ways to make their plants safer and reduce labor-intensive activities. Food processors are increasingly recognizing the value of new

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technology as an important vehicle to drive productivity and profitability in their plants. Due to customer requirements, food processors are expected to continue to demand new and innovative equipment that addresses food safety, food quality, automation, flexibility and sustainability.

Improving living standards in developing countries is spurring increased worldwide demand for pre-cooked and convenience food products. As industrializing countries create more jobs, consumers in these countries will have the means to buy pre-cooked food products. In industrialized regions, such as Western Europe and the U.S., consumers are demanding more pre-cooked and convenience food products, such as deli tray variety packs, frozen food products and ready-to-eat varieties of ethnic foods.

The global food processing equipment and packaging industry is large and growing. Global demand for food processing equipment and packaging is estimated to be in excess of $70 billion worldwide.

Backlog

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group

The backlog of orders for the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group was $260.4 million at January 3, 2026, most all of which is expected to be filled during 2026. The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group's backlog was $265.3 million at December 28, 2024. The backlog is not necessarily indicative of the level of business expected for the year.

Food Processing Equipment Group

The backlog of orders for the Food Processing Equipment Group was $409.9 million at January 3, 2026, which is expected to be filled by the end of fiscal 2027. The Food Processing Equipment Group's backlog was $257.6 million at December 28, 2024. The acquired Frigomeccanica and OKA businesses accounted for $60.3 million of the backlog.

Marketing and Distribution

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group

Middleby's products and services are marketed in the U.S. and in over 100 countries through a combination of the company's sales and marketing personnel, together with an extensive network of independent dealers, distributors, consultants, sales representatives and agents.

In the United States, the company distributes its products to independent end-users primarily through a network of non-exclusive dealers nationwide, who are supported by manufacturers' marketing representatives. Sales are made direct to certain large restaurant chains that have established their own procurement and distribution organization for their franchise system. The company's relationships with major restaurant chains are primarily handled through an integrated effort of top-level executive and sales management at the corporate and business division levels to best serve each customer's needs. International sales are primarily made through a network of company owned and local independent distributors and dealers. To supplement the sales strategy, the company has invested in opening Middleby Innovation Kitchens (the MIK) in Dallas, Germany and Spain, which provide chef-driven demonstration and live cooking on over 200 pieces of live Middleby commercial kitchen innovation and serve as state of the art training facilities.

Food Processing Equipment Group

The company maintains a direct sales force to market the brands and maintain direct relationships with each of its customers. In North America, the company employs regional sales managers, each with responsibility for a group of customers and a particular region. This sales force is complimented with involvement of executive management to maintain relationships with customer executives and facilitate coordination amongst the brands for the key global accounts. Internationally, the company maintains sales and distribution offices along with global sales managers supported by a network of independent sales representatives.

The company’s sale process is highly consultative due to the highly technical nature of the equipment, especially in the case of the full processing line solutions. During a typical sales process, salespeople make several visits to the customer’s facility to conceptually discuss the production requirements, footprint and configuration of the proposed equipment. The company employs a technically proficient sales force, many of whom have previous technical experience with the company as well as education backgrounds in food science. The sales strategy of the company is fostered by its own food technologists and with Protein and Bakery Innovation Centers in Chicago, Dallas, India and Italy, which are available for development with technical performance and product testing for customers.

Services and Product Warranty

The company is an industry leader in equipment installation programs and after-sales support and service. The company provides a warranty on its products typically for a one-year period and in certain instances greater periods. The emphasis on

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global service increases the likelihood of repeat business and enhances Middleby's image as a partner and provider of quality products and services.

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group

The company's domestic service network consists of over 100 authorized service parts distributors and 3,000 independent certified technicians who have been formally trained and certified by the company through its factory training school and on-site installation training programs. Technicians work through service parts distributors, which are required to provide around-the-clock service. The company provides real-time technical support to the technicians in the field through factory-based technical service engineers. The company maintains sufficient service parts inventory to ensure short lead times for service calls.

Food Processing Equipment Group

The company maintains a technical service group of employees that oversees and performs installation and startup of equipment and completes warranty and repair work. This technical service group provides services for customers both domestically and internationally. Service technicians are trained regularly on new equipment to ensure the customer receives a high level of customer service. From time to time the company utilizes trained third-party technicians supervised by company employees to supplement company employees on large projects.

Competition

The commercial foodservice and food processing equipment industries are highly competitive and fragmented. Within a given product line the company may compete with a variety of companies, including companies that manufacture a broad line of products and those that specialize in a particular product category. Competition is based upon many factors, including brand recognition, product features, reliability, quality, price, delivery lead times, serviceability and after-sale service. The company believes that its ability to compete depends on strong brand equity, exceptional product performance, short lead-times and timely delivery, competitive pricing and superior customer service support. In the international markets, the company competes with U.S. manufacturers and numerous global and local competitors.

The company believes that it is one of the largest multiple-line manufacturers of commercial kitchen and food processing equipment in the U.S. and worldwide although some of its competitors are units of operations that are larger than the company and possess greater financial and personnel resources. Among the company's major competitors to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group are the Ali Group S.r.l.; Duke Manufacturing; AB Electrolux; Haier Group; Hoshizaki America, Inc.; Hobart Corporation and Vulcan-Hart, subsidiaries of Illinois Tool Works Inc.; Marmon Foodservice Technologies, a Berkshire Hathaway Company; Midea Group; Panasonic Corporation; Rational AG and SMEG S.p.A. Major competitors to the Food Processing Equipment Group include AMF Bakery Systems, Duravant, The GEA Group, JBT Marel Corporation and ProMach.

Manufacturing and Quality Control

The company’s manufacturing operations provide for an expertise in the design and production of specific products for each of the business segments. The company has from time to time either consolidated manufacturing facilities producing similar product or transferred production of certain products to another existing operation with a higher level of expertise or efficiency.

The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group manufactures its products in twenty-five domestic and eighteen international production facilities. The Food Processing Equipment Group manufactures its products in thirteen domestic and sixteen international production facilities. See Item 2. Properties for a list of the principal domestic and international manufacturing facilities by segment.

Metal fabrication, finishing, sub-assembly and assembly operations are typically conducted at each manufacturing facility. Equipment installed at individual manufacturing facilities includes numerically controlled turret presses and machine centers, shears, press brakes, welding equipment, polishing equipment, CAD/CAM systems and product testing and quality assurance measurement devices. The company's CAD/CAM systems enable virtual electronic prototypes to be created, reviewed and refined before the first physical prototype is built.

Detailed manufacturing drawings are quickly and accurately derived from the model and passed electronically to manufacturing for programming and optimal parts nesting on various numerically controlled punching cells. The company believes that this integrated product development and manufacturing process is critical to assuring product performance, customer service and competitive pricing.

The company has established comprehensive programs to ensure the quality of products, to analyze potential product failures and to certify vendors for continuous improvement. Products manufactured by the company are tested prior to shipment to ensure compliance with company standards.

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Sources of Supply

The company purchases its raw materials and component parts from a number of suppliers. The majority of the company’s material purchases are standard commodity-type materials, such as stainless steel, electrical components and hardware. These materials and parts generally are available in adequate quantities from numerous suppliers. Some component parts are obtained from sole sources of supply. In such instances, management believes it can substitute other suppliers as required. The majority of fabrication is done internally through the use of automated equipment. Certain equipment and accessories are manufactured by other suppliers for sale by the company. The company believes it enjoys good relationships with its suppliers.

Research and Development

The company believes its future success will depend in part on its ability to develop new products and to improve existing products. Much of the company's research and development efforts are directed to the development and improvement of products designed to reduce cooking and processing time, increase capacity or throughput, reduce energy consumption, minimize labor costs, improve product yield and improve customer, employee and environmental safety, while maintaining consistency and quality of cooking production and food preparation. The company's efforts have also been focused on IoT solutions which allow customers to connect, analyze and control equipment, while delivering operational efficiencies. The company has identified these issues as key concerns for most of its customers. The company often identifies product improvement opportunities by working closely with customers on specific applications. Most research and development activities are performed by the company's technical service and engineering staff located at each manufacturing location. On occasion, the company will contract outside engineering firms to assist with the development of certain technical concepts and applications. See Note 3(n) to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the company's research and development activities.

Seasonality

The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group's revenues have historically been slightly stronger in the second and third quarters due to increased purchases from customers involved with the catering business and institutional customers, particularly schools, during the summer months.

Trademarks, Patents and Licenses

The company has developed, acquired and assembled a leading portfolio of trademarks and trade names. The company believes that these trademarks and trade names help the company compete in the marketplace due to their recognition with customers, restaurant operators, distribution partners, sales and service agents, and foodservice consultants that specify foodservice equipment.

The company's leading portfolio of trade names of its Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group include Anets, APW Wyott, Bakers Pride, Beech Ovens, BKI, Blodgett, Blodgett Combi, Bloomfield, Blue Sparq, Britannia, Carter-Hoffmann, Celfrost, Concordia, CookTek, Crown, CTX, Desmon, Deutsche Beverage, Doyon, Emery Thompson, Eswood, EVO, Firex, Flavor Burst, Follett, Frifri, Globe, Goldstein, Holman, Houno, Hydra Rinse, Icetro, IMC, Imperial, Induc, Jade, JoeTap, Josper, Kloppenberg, L2F, Lang, Lincat, Marco, MagiKitch’n, Market Forge, Marsal, Marvel Scientific, Mercury, Middleby Marshall, Newton CFV, Nieco, Nu-Vu, Perfect Fry, Pitco, Powerhouse Dynamics, QualServ, RAM, Southbend, Ss Brewtech, Star, Starline, Sveba Dahlen, Synesso, Taylor, Terry, Toastmaster, TurboChef, U-Line Commercial, Ultrafryer, Varimixer, Viking Commercial, Wells, Wild Goose Filling and Wunder-Bar.

The company’s leading portfolio of trade names of its Food Processing Equipment Group include Alkar, Armor Inox, Auto-Bake, Baker Thermal Solutions, Burford, Colussi Ermes, Cozzini, CV-Tek, Danfotech, Drake, Escher, Filtration Automation, Frigomeccanica, GBT GmbH Bakery, Glimek, Gorreri, Hinds-Bock, Inline Filling Systems, JC Ford, Key-Log, Maurer-Atmos, Maxmac, MP Equipment, Oka, Pacproinc, Proxaut, RapidVisionPak, Scanico, Spooner Vicars, Stewart Systems, Sveba Dahlen, Thurne, and Vemac.

The company holds a broad portfolio of patents and licenses covering technology and applications related to various products, equipment and systems. Management believes the expiration of any one of these patents would not have a material adverse effect on the overall operations or profitability of the company.

Human Capital

As of January 3, 2026, 8,826 persons were employed by the company and its subsidiaries of continuing operations. Of this amount, 4,786 employees were located in the United States and the remaining employees were located outside of the United States. Unionized employees accounted for approximately 5% of the company’s workforce as of January 3, 2026. Management believes that the relationships between employees and management are good.

The company believes its success is a direct result of the people employed around the world. The company strives to create a culture that encourages and celebrates collaboration, creativity and confidence while maintaining an environment based on

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ethical values. The goal is to create a workplace that enables employees to develop their individual paths toward their career goals and encourages a long-term working relationship with the company.

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group

As of January 3, 2026, 5,878 persons were employed within the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group. Of this amount, 2,579 were management, administrative, sales, engineering and supervisory personnel, 2,920 were hourly production non-union workers and 379 were hourly production union members. Included in these totals were 2,393 individuals employed outside of the United States, of which 1,264 were management, sales, administrative and engineering personnel, 1,030 were hourly production non-union workers and 99 were hourly production union workers, who participate in an employee cooperative. At its Windsor, California facility, the company has a union contract with the Sheet Metal Workers International Association that expires on February 26, 2027. At its Englewood, Colorado facility, the company has a union contract with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers that expires on April 30, 2026. At its Elgin, Illinois facility, the company has a union contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters that expires on July 31, 2028. At its Easton, Pennsylvania facility, the company has a union contract with the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union that expires on May 4, 2027. The company also has a union workforce at its manufacturing facility in the Philippines, under a contract that expires on June 30, 2026. Management believes that the relationships between employees, unions and management are good.

Food Processing Equipment Group

As of January 3, 2026, 2,843 persons were employed within the Food Processing Equipment Group. Of this amount, 1,625 were management, administrative, sales, engineering and supervisory personnel, 1,114 were hourly production non-union workers and 104 were hourly production union members. Included in these totals were 1,647 individuals employed outside of the United States, of which 1,047 were management, sales, administrative and engineering personnel and 600 were hourly production non-union workers. At its Lodi, Wisconsin facility, the company has a contract with the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers that expires on December 31, 2027. At its Algona, Iowa facility, the company has a union contract with the United Food and Commercial Workers that expires on December 31, 2026. Management believes that the relationships between employees, unions and management are good.

Corporate

As of January 3, 2026, 105 persons were employed at the corporate office.

Employee Advancement

The company believes offering opportunities for career development within the company is integral to building and retaining an outstanding workforce. The company is dedicated to the professional development of all employees. Through a commitment to an engaging culture, the company is able to build a platform that promotes equal opportunities for advancement for everyone.

Employee Safety

The company is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy workplace by operating in accordance with established health and safety protocols. The company encourages a culture of safety due to the fact it reduces the risk of injury to employees, decreases expenses, and increases production. Each of our manufacturing locations maintains active safety committees that frequently review and assess the safety condition of their local work environment. The company invests in safety training, shares best practices, and reviews claim activity to continually review our progress in minimizing employee injury incidents in the workplace.

Culture

Fostering a culture that supports employees with a wide range of perspectives and experiences as well as professional growth and advancement is an integral part of the company’s culture. The company has a commitment to build its workforce from a broad range of experiences and talents. The company is well-positioned to attract the best talent from a wide range of communities, which allows better alignment with customers and creative and efficient development of new products for the marketplace. As a global corporation, the company embraces and celebrates differences among our employees and endeavors to cultivate an environment where inclusion is a core value of the organization.

A Focus on Ethics

The company is dedicated to promoting integrity, honesty, and professionalism in all of the business activities within the company. The company strongly believes that business success is a direct correlation of its reputation for fairness and integrity. Accordingly, it is essential that the company’s board members and employees practice the highest standards of conduct and professionalism in any interactions with stakeholders including customers, creditors, stockholders, suppliers and other employees.