Our History

60s

Laying the Foundation

It’s post-war Italy, 1963, and our first company was founded, the warewasher manufacturer Comenda. It’s the right time and the right place, as Italy’s thriving economy encourages the opening of new restaurants and creates a need for quick, efficient warewashing machines.  

1963 - Comenda founded

70s

Ali Goes International 

Comenda is an instant success, boasting uninterrupted growth even during this challenging decade. As remarkable: More than 70 percent of the company’s warewashers are sold overseas.

In 1972, Comenda opens marketing headquarters in Paris; that time also unveils the acronym ALI (Apparecchiature Lavaggio Industriale). In 1979, Ali moves to the United States and acquires Champion Industries, a well-known brand of warewashers with extensive distribution throughout the United States. Ali has taken its first step toward globalization. 

1972 - Ali opens Ali Comenda (France)

80s

Bigger. Diversified. 

This decade marks continued growth for Ali.  Ali continues acquiring companies known for excellence in their own sector.

Warewashing is no longer Ali’s core business. To diversify, the company in 1989 acquires Carpigiani, a leader in the gelato business, as well as Lainox and Ambach, premier firms in the cooking segment. The acquisition of Canadian warewasher maker Moyer-Diebel further confirms Ali as a leader in the warewashing sector.

The foodservice equipment market grows, developing technology and offering multiple opportunities. Distributors gain importance and Ali works closely with them, providing a complete range of products and services. Thanks to this collaboration, Ali Group’s client base expands considerably.

1980:  Acquisition of Champion (US)

1987:  Acquisition of Lainox (Italy)

1989:  Acquisition of Ambach (Italy), Aurea (Italy), Carpigiani (Italy), Cattabriga (Italy), Moyer Diebel (Canada), Coldelite (US)

90s

New frontiers, new expansion possibilities

The Nineties bring more progress and diversification to Ali Group. A new division, Alicontract, offers turnkey projects worldwide, providing products, installation and assistance. The historical cooking brand Mareno becomes part of Ali Group.

With new strategic acquisitions such as Burlodge and Stierlen, Ali enters new sectors, among them food delivery in hospitals, clinics and airports. The creation of Hiber brings interesting new opportunities in the refrigeration sector.

International expansion continues as well, with Ali pushing its frontiers to the Middle East while setting up a sales office in Jordan.

1990:  Acquisition of Dawson (UK)

1992:  Formation of Coldelite Europe (Italy)

1994:  Formation of Alicontract (Italy)

1995:  Acquisition of Silko (Italy)

1996:  Acquisition of Catemar Iberica (Spain), Hoonved (Italy), Mareno (Italy), Mareno (UK), OEM (Italy), Ott Freezer (Switzerland)

1997:  Acquisition of Stierlen (Germany), formation of Ali Middle East (Jordan)

1998:  Acquisition of Burlodge (UK), Krefft (Germany), formation of Hiber (Italy)

1999:  Acquisition of GBG (Italy), Promag (Italy) and Sencotel (Spain)

00s

China, key players in the global market. 

From the year 2000 forward, Ali strengthens its presence in the North American and European markets through the development of the refrigeration and cooking sectors and entry into the bakery industry.

Acquisitions such as Aga Foodservice Equipment (Adamatic, Amana, Belshaw, Bongard, Falcon, Menumaster, Victory Refrigeration, Williams Refrigeration), an English company active in many parts of the world, and Hackman-Metos, a Scandinavian company, are fundamental to the Group’s continuing expansion. The acquisitions of Moffat and Washtech also open doors to new markets in Australia and New Zealand.

In 2006, the Group begins operating in China, opening its own offices in Shanghai and reinforcing activities with the manufacturing plants of brands Carpigiani and Williams.

2000:  Acquisition of Friginox (France), Grandimpianti Laundry (Italy), Moffat (Australia & New Zealand), Rosinox (France), Washtech (New Zealand)

2002:  Acquisition of Aladdin Temp-Rite (USA & EU)

2003:  Acquisition of HC Duke & Son / Electro Freeze (USA)

2004:  Acquisition of Metos (Finland), Baron (Italy), Dihr (Italy), Friulinox (Italy), Olis (Italy) and Polaris (Italy)

2004:  Formation of Ali Group China (China), acquisition of CMA (US)

2007:  Acquisition of FIMI (Italy), Aga Foodservice Equipment (UK)

2008:  Acquisition of Beverage-Air (US)

10s

New segments, unlimited possibilities

2012:  Ali adds a new business segment with the acquisition of Scotsman Industries (Scotsman Ice Systems & Ice-O-Matic), the world's largest producer of ice machines and systems. This bold initiative gives the Group new energy and offers further opportunities for growth.

2013: Ali Group adds a new business segment with the acquisition of Rancilio Group (Egro, Promac, Rancilio), one of the leading players in the professional espresso coffee machines and fully-automatic espresso machines.

2015: Ali Group adds InterMetro Industries (Metro), the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of storage and transport products in the Food Service, Commercial Products and Healthcare Industries.

2010:  Acquisition of Edlund (US)

2012:  Acquisition of Scotsman Industries (US)

2013:  Acquisition of Rancilio Group (Italy)

20s

2020 vision, focus on the future

2020:  Ali Group adds American Dish Service (ADS), a leading manufacturer of commercial warewashing equipment based in Edwardsville, Kansas.

2020:  Acquisition of American Dish Service (US)

2020:  Acquisition of BGI Continuous Churning Gelato Machines (Italy)

2021:  Acquisition of KOLD-DRAFT International (US)

The Future

Next Steps, New Challenges  

The next years will be a period of change in an increasingly diversified global market. Ali will meet those challenges by continuing to strive for excellence, following a philosophy of innovation, creating synergies with local businesses, and encouraging the exchange of ideas and the ability to imagine a company that is always ahead of the market.