What Follett Corp. does

Follett Corp., operating as Follett Products, LLC ("Follett Ice"), is a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of commercial ice machines, ice and water/beverage dispensers, ice storage and transport systems, and medical-grade refrigeration, founded in 1948 in Easton, Pennsylvania, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Middleby Corporation since the May 2016 acquisition. The company is organized into four product verticals — Foodservice, Workplace, Healthcare, and Life Science — supported by a shared engineering base around the proprietary Chewblet® nugget ice platform, patented water management and remote delivery systems, and a touchscreen-based medical-grade control platform. Core products include the Horizon Elite series of Chewblet ice machines (710/1010/1410/1810/2110), Maestro Plus undercounter icemakers, the PerfectCUBE modular cube machine, Symphony Plus and Champion ice/water dispensers, Vision ice and beverage dispensers, the Ice·DevIce and Ice Pro storage and bagging systems, the Ice Manager Diverter Valve, Tempo compact ice machines, and a healthcare/life science refrigeration portfolio spanning the Performance Plus, Infinity Series, Edge Series, Advantage Series, and REF/FZR upright refrigerators and freezers (REF2/4/5/12/20/25/45 and equivalents) plus ultra-low freezers, cryogenic freezers, and CO₂ incubators, co-branded PHCbi ULT freezers via the PHCNA partnership, Phononic solid-state refrigeration, and the Kloppenberg ice storage/transport/dispensing brand under the new Follett Denver operation.

Follett generates revenue primarily through one-time equipment sales of ice machines, dispensers, storage bins, blast chillers, and medical-grade refrigeration, sold through a hybrid direct/channel model: named regional sales contacts across nine geographies, an authorized dealer locator for healthcare, an exclusive TechTrans logistics partnership for medical-grade install, the Kloppenberg co-distribution under Follett Denver, and the Follett Parts Webstore for aftermarket parts with net pricing for logged-in account holders. Recurring and transactional revenue comes from the parts webstore, warranty registration and extended compressor warranty, technical training seminars, the Service Management System, the Find a Service Agent network, and referral income from the FS Foodservice Solutions financing partnership. Pricing is quote-based across all product lines with no public list prices.

The company operates a 225,000+ sq ft headquarters and manufacturing campus in the Lehigh Valley (Easton/Forks Township, PA), a 2025-opened Follett Denver manufacturing facility in Englewood, Colorado (incorporating the Kloppenberg brand), and maintains global sales coverage across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, India, the Middle East, and Africa. It employs more than 600 people worldwide, holds 75+ years of operating history, and is led by President Mike Raycher, who in 2025 was named Group President of the new Middleby Ice Solutions division consolidating Follett, Icetro, and Kloppenberg under the Middleby Beverage Group. Regulatory moats include NSF/ANSI 456 vaccine storage certification, USP <800> hazardous drug compliance, ISO Class 7 cleanroom compatibility, ENERGY STAR, CEE Tier 2, RoHS, and 2018 DOE compliance.

Name

Follett Corp.

Legal name

Follett Products, LLC

Website

https://follettice.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Follett Products, LLC, a Middleby subsidiary founded in 1948, designs and manufactures commercial ice machines, ice/water/beverage dispensers, ice storage systems, and medical-grade refrigeration for foodservice, workplace, healthcare, and life science customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Ice Machines and Medical-Grade Refrigeration

NAICS

Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (3334), Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing (311412)

SIC

Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Refrigeration Components & Controls (Compressors, Valves, Sensors) (IMAHAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Refrigeration Controls, Thermostats & Sensors Service (HSAOAJAF)

Keywords

• Commercial ice machines
• Medical-grade refrigeration
• Ice dispensers equipment
• Foodservice refrigeration
• Pharmacy cold storage

Headquarters

HQ city

Easton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Equipment sales (ice machines, dispensers, medical-grade refrigeration): Primary revenue stream from one-time sales of ice machines, ice/water/beverage dispensers, ice storage and transport bins, blast chillers, medical-grade refrigerators and freezers, ultra-low freezers, cryogenic freezers, CO2 incubators, and water filter systems to foodservice, workplace, healthcare, life science and European customers. Sold through direct sales reps, dealers, and channel partners.
2. Replacement parts sales: Recurring and transactional revenue from the Follett Parts Webstore (parts.follettice.com), with net pricing disclosed to logged-in account holders, plus email/phone ordering via [email protected].
3. Warranty and service contracts: Parts and labor warranty plus extended compressor warranty with technical service support via the Warranty Center and Technical Service Department (1.877.612.5086), including warranty registration, warranty status lookup, and service agent network.
4. Technical training and service programs: Revenue from technical training seminars, Service Management System, and Find a Service Agent network supporting installed equipment.
5. Financing referral income: Customer financing facilitated through partnership with FS Foodservice Solutions (partnerships.fsfoodservicesolutions.com/Follett), generating referral/financing-related revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Follett Corp. (Follett Products, LLC) designs and manufactures commercial ice machines, ice and water/beverage dispensers, ice storage and transport systems, blast chillers, and medical-grade refrigeration (refrigerators, freezers, ultra-low freezers, cryogenic freezers, CO2 incubators) for foodservice, workplace, healthcare, and life science customers. The portfolio is anchored on proprietary Chewblet® nugget ice technology (since 1977) and a touchscreen-based medical-grade refrigeration platform, and includes co-branded lines such as PHCbi ultra-low freezers, Phononic solid-state refrigeration, and Kloppenberg ice systems.

Product overview

Follett Corp. (Follett Products, LLC / Follett Ice), founded in 1948 and headquartered in Easton, PA, is a manufacturer of ice machines, ice and water dispensers, ice and beverage dispensers, ice storage and transport systems, blast chillers, and medical-grade refrigeration operating as an independent operating company of The Middleby Corporation (acquired 2016). The portfolio is organized into four business segments — Foodservice, Workplace, Healthcare, and Life Science — supported by a shared product engineering base around the Chewblet nugget ice platform and a touchscreen-based medical-grade control platform. Core products include the Horizon Elite series of Chewblet ice machines (710, 1010, 1410, 1810, 2110), Maestro Plus undercounter ice makers, the PerfectCUBE modular cube machine, Symphony Plus / Champion / 7 & 15 Series ice and water dispensers, Vision ice and beverage dispensers, Ice DevIce and Ice Pro ice storage/transport/bagging systems, the ID650 dispensing bin, the Ice Manager Diverter Valve (IMDV-2), the Tempo compact ice machine, and blast chillers/shock freezers. Healthcare and Life Science refrigeration includes the Performance Plus, Infinity Series, Edge Series, Advantage Series, and REF/FZR upright refrigerators and freezers (REF2, REF4, REF5, REF12, REF20, REF25, REF45 and FZR equivalents), compact countertop models, ultra-low freezers, cryogenic freezers, CO2 incubators, combination refrigerator/freezers, blood bank and pharmacy refrigerators, and the Follett Scientific (formerly Vector Lab Products) +4°C to -150°C storage line. Co-branded product extensions include PHCbi ultra-low temperature freezers and pharmaceutical refrigerators (via PHCNA partnership, 2021), Phononic solid-state refrigeration (2021), and the Kloppenberg ice storage/transport/dispensing brand brought under the new Follett Denver operation in 2025 as part of Middleby Ice Solutions. Water filtration (including a carbonless system and a Pall Medical bacterial-retentive system) and the Touchless SensorSAFE dispensing kit serve as add-on modules across all segments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Horizon Elite: Award-winning scale-inhibiting Chewblet ice machine line (1010, 1410, 710, 1810, 2110 series)
• Maestro Plus
• Symphony Plus
• Champion
• Vision
• Chewblet
• Ice Manager
• RIDE (Remote Ice Delivery Equipment)
• Ice Pro
• Ice DevIce
• SensorSAFE
• Performance Plus
• Infinity Series
• Follett Scientific
• Kloppenberg
• Middleby Ice Solutions

Products and services

• Horizon Elite Ice Machines Chewblet nugget ice machines in 710, 1010, 1410, 1810, and 2110 series with patented scale-inhibiting water management design, using 35-50% less water than comparable cube-type machines. Targeted at foodservice operations with high water-consumption or scale-prone water conditions.
• Maestro Plus Ice Machines Undercounter ice maker bin producing up to 425 lbs of ice over 24 hours with over 90 lbs of storage, available with Micro Chewblet or flake ice; includes RIDE remote ice delivery models for foodservice and beverage applications.
• Tempo Compact Ice Machine Compact ice machine featuring 90 lbs of ice production per day and 30 lbs of storage, with integral drain pump, optional EZ-access filter, and semi-automatic cleaning with automatic alerts. Targeted at foodservice operations needing a smaller-footprint Chewblet ice machine.
• PerfectCUBE Modular Cube Ice Machine Modular cube ice machine for foodservice applications producing traditional cube-shaped ice.
• Symphony Plus Ice and Water Dispensers Countertop and undercounter ice and water dispensers with redesigned sanitary features, ease of service, energy efficiency, quieter operation, and faster cleaning; available with SensorSAFE touchless dispensing for foodservice, workplace, and healthcare use.
• Champion Ice and Water Dispensers Next-generation drainless ice and water dispensers with sleek aesthetic design, hot water option, touchless SensorSAFE dispensing, sanitation upgrades, and advanced touchscreen alerts/diagnostics. Produces 100+ lbs of Chewblet ice per day with 7 or 15 lbs storage. Targeted at workplace and on-floor patient care.
• 7 and 15 Series Ice and Water Dispensers Compact drainless ice and water dispensers with 7 or 15 lbs of ice storage and up to 100 lbs of ice production in 24 hours; 15 Series offers sparkling water option. Embedded with Agion antimicrobial protection and aimed at workplace and office environments.
• Vision Ice and Beverage Dispensers Undercounter ice and beverage dispensers with cold carbonation capability for self-service drink stations in foodservice, improving traffic flow and dining room aesthetics. Includes OEM top-kit integration with Coca-Cola Freestyle, Remcor/Cornelius, and Lancer dispensers.
• Blast Chillers and Shock Freezers Reach-in blast chillers and shock freezers for rapid food temperature reduction in foodservice operations.
• Ice Transport and Storage Systems Ice storage bins, the patented Ice DevIce ice storage and dispensing system, Ice Pro automatic ice bagging system, and ID650 high capacity dispensing bin for high-volume drink stations.
• Performance Plus Refrigerators and Freezers Medical-grade undercounter refrigerators and freezers designed specifically to meet temperature performance requirements of hospitals and healthcare facilities; touchscreen or LED controls available.
• Infinity Series Refrigerators and Freezers Full-size medical-grade refrigerators and freezers featuring patented "infinite" variable speed control technology delivering precise refrigeration with a flexible customizable storage system.
• Edge Series and Advantage Series Refrigerators Edge Series refrigerators and manual defrost freezers engineered to meet CDC guidelines in a small footprint with quiet variable speed compressor and energy efficient natural refrigerant; Advantage Series provides budget-friendly refrigerators for light to medium duty applications.
• REF Series Full-Size Refrigerators Single and double door upright medical-grade refrigerators (REF2, REF4, REF5, REF12, REF20, REF25, REF45) featuring industry-exclusive back-plenum (REF12-25) or center-plenum (REF45) air distribution, 7" full-color capacitive touchscreen controls, and electronic locking system. NSF/ANSI 456 vaccine storage certified.
• FZR Series Medical-Grade Freezers Full size medical-grade upright freezers (FZR2, FZR4, FZR5, FZR20, FZR25) with industry-exclusive air distribution systems and 7" full-color capacitive touchscreen controls. NSF/ANSI 456 certified for vaccine storage.
• Ultra-Low Freezers Ultra-low temperature freezers for life science, pharmaceutical, and biomedical storage applications, including co-branded PHCbi products.
• Cryogenic Freezers Cryogenic chest freezers for ultra-low temperature biological sample storage.
• CO2 Incubators CO2 incubators for cell culture and laboratory applications.
• Combination Refrigerator/Freezer Medical-grade combination refrigerator and freezer unit for healthcare facilities needing both refrigeration and freezing in a single footprint.
• Follett Scientific (formerly Vector Lab Products) Full line of Energy Star certified cold storage products for the Life Science and Academic Research markets, including +4°C refrigerators, -25°C freezers, -86°C ultra-low temperature freezers, and -150°C cryogenic freezers. Initially branded Vector Lab Products in 2021 and relaunched as Follett Scientific in 2025.
• Blood Bank Refrigeration Specialized refrigeration for blood bank storage in healthcare facilities.
• Pharmacy Refrigeration Refrigerators designed specifically for pharmacy applications, including USP <800> hazardous drug storage compliance.
• Water Filter Systems Water filtration systems for foodservice, workplace, and healthcare applications, including the carbonless water filter system and the bacterial-retentive in-line filter system with validated life up to six months (via Pall Medical collaboration).
• Kloppenberg Ice Storage, Transport, and Dispensing Systems Manufacturer of ice storage, ice transport, and ice dispensing systems since 1941; began operating under Follett in 2025 as Follett Denver. Now part of Middleby Ice Solutions alongside Follett and Icetro.

Quantifiable outcome

• Horizon Elite saves 35% more water in low TDS applications and consumes 50% less water in high TDS applications than typical cube ice machines
• +6 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature17 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record.

• KloppenbergOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 5 February 2025Kloppenberg (a manufacturer of superior-quality ice storage, ice transport and ice dispensing systems since 1941) began operating under Follett as Follett Denver in 2025, serving the market with both the Follett and Kloppenberg brands from the existing Colorado facility.
• OmnicellTechnology or Integration · 9 December 2024Omnicell announced OmniSphere, a next-generation cloud native software workflow engine and data platform designed to integrate enterprise robotics and smart devices across healthcare settings for improved medication management. Collaborations with TrackTraceRX and LSPedia for DSCSA-compliant interfaces, renewed HITRUST certification, and integrations between MedChill and Follett refrigerators were showcased at the ASHP Midyear 2024 Clinical Meeting in New Orleans.
• TrackTraceRXTechnology or Integration · 9 December 2024TrackTraceRX collaboration with Omnicell for DSCSA-compliant interfaces showcased alongside Follett refrigerator integrations at the ASHP Midyear 2024 Clinical Meeting in New Orleans.
• LSPediaTechnology or Integration · 9 December 2024LSPedia collaboration with Omnicell for DSCSA-compliant interfaces showcased alongside Follett refrigerator integrations at the ASHP Midyear 2024 Clinical Meeting in New Orleans.
• PhononicTechnology or Integration · 2 March 2021In March 2021 Follett added solid-state refrigeration solutions to its product portfolio through a partnership with Phononic, expanding the company's technology options beyond traditional compressor-based refrigeration.
• PHC Corporation of North America (PHCNA)Strategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2021Follett partnered with PHCNA in 2021 to market and sell the PHCbi line of ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers, pharmaceutical grade refrigerators, and biomedical freezers to Follett's healthcare customers. The co-branded products are offered alongside Follett's existing portfolio of high-performance refrigerators, freezers, and ancillary products.
• TechTransImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 28 January 2019Follett signed with TechTrans as the exclusive logistics partner for installation of medical-grade refrigeration in January 2019, providing specialized logistics and installation services for Follett's healthcare customers.
• Pall MedicalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaboration between Follett and Pall Medical in which Follett is the exclusive supplier of Pall 0.2 micron sterilizing grade filtration for ice machines and dispensers in the U.S. The bacterial-retentive in-line water filter system has a validated life of up to six months and reduces the risk to ice machines from waterborne pathogens.
• The Middleby CorporationStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2016Follett Corporation was acquired by The Middleby Corporation (a $2 billion global leader in foodservice equipment) in May 2016, becoming Follett LLC and later Follett Products, LLC (2020). Middleby allows acquired companies to operate in a largely autonomous manner while enabling continued growth. In 2025, Middleby launched Middleby Ice Solutions as a division of the Middleby Beverage Group combining the Follett, Icetro, and Kloppenberg brands.
• Coca-Cola Freestyle (Harmony Top integration)OEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFollett produces "Harmony Top" integration kits that allow its Horizon and Maestro ice machines to interface with Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage dispensers, with multiple installation manuals published for Harmony Top, Horizon 700, Coca-Cola Freestyle integrations.
• Remcor/Cornelius (Top kit integration)OEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFollett offers a Maestro Chewblet 400 Series Ice Machine and Top Kit for Remcor/Cornelius ice and beverage dispensers, enabling OEM integration with third-party beverage dispensers.
• Lancer (Top kit integration)OEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerFollett offers a Maestro Chewblet 400 Series Ice Machine and Top Kit for Lancer ice and beverage dispensers, enabling OEM integration with Lancer dispensers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Ice-O-Matic: Ice-O-Matic manufactures commercial ice machines and dispensers and is a direct competitor to Follett across restaurant, QSR, hospitality, and workplace ice applications.
• Hoshizaki America: Hoshizaki is a leading global manufacturer of commercial ice machines, refrigerators, and dispensers — directly competing with Follett's Horizon Elite, Maestro Plus, and Symphony Plus lines across foodservice, workplace, and healthcare segments.
• Scotsman Ice Systems: Scotsman (a division of Ali Group) designs and manufactures commercial ice machines and dispensers that compete head-to-head with Follett's Chewblet-based ice portfolio in foodservice and beverage applications.
• Manitowoc Ice (Welbilt / Ali Group): Manitowoc Ice is one of the largest commercial ice machine manufacturers globally, directly competing with Follett in foodservice, hospitality, and healthcare ice equipment categories.
• Helmer Scientific: Helmer Scientific specializes in medical-grade and laboratory-grade cold storage (refrigerators, freezers, ULT) — directly competing with Follett's REF/FZR, Infinity Series, Edge Series, and Follett Scientific product lines in healthcare and life science.

Broad incumbents

• True Manufacturing: True Manufacturing is a major commercial refrigeration manufacturer whose reach into foodservice, healthcare, and workplace refrigeration overlaps with Follett's medical-grade and ice-adjacent cold storage portfolio.
• Traulsen: Traulsen (a division of ITW Food Equipment Group) manufactures commercial refrigeration including reach-ins and medical/laboratory cold storage that overlap with Follett's healthcare and life science refrigeration lines.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher's laboratory equipment division (including TSX and HERAfreeze lines) is a broad incumbent in life science cold storage, competing with Follett Scientific/Follett's Vector Lab Products line in +4°C to -86°C refrigeration.

Others

• PHC Corporation of North America (PHCbi): PHCbi is a partner of Follett (2021 partnership) for ultra-low temperature freezers, pharmaceutical refrigerators, and biomedical freezers; comparable because PHCbi sells adjacent/co-branded products through Follett's healthcare channel and competes in the same ULT/pharma cold storage category.
• Cornelius (Remcor): Cornelius (Remcor) manufactures ice and beverage dispensers that integrate with Follett's Maestro Chewblet 400 Series via a co-developed Top Kit; comparable as a beverage dispenser OEM collaborator and adjacent ice equipment peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/follett_ice
• Facebookfacebook.com/follettfoodservice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/follett-corporation

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Follett Corp.