What Food Masters does

Food Masters Freiberg GmbH is a German specialty machinery manufacturer founded in July 2011 in Freiberg am Neckar, near Stuttgart, that designs, builds, installs, and commissions custom processing plants and individual machines for three primary industrial verticals: cocoa processing, nut and snack food processing, and grain and malt processing. The company serves large industrial cocoa processors, chocolate manufacturers with integrated processing, snack food producers, and brewery and bakery ingredient suppliers, with a direct B2B sales organization managing a global customer base. Equipment capacities range from 250 kg per batch to 20,000 kg per hour, covering the full processing value chain from raw material intake through finished product treatment.

The product portfolio consists of 16 specialized systems organized across the three verticals. Cocoa processing equipment includes the CBCS cleaning plant, CBTS infrared pretreatment, UTTS-P steam-heated pretreatment, CBDS two-stage winnowing, CNAS alkalizing reactor, CNRS nibs roasting system with TET turbulent airflow heating, UTTS-R steam-heated roasting, CBSS combined preheating-sterilization, UBRS ball roasting, and CPTS cocoa powder treatment. Nut and snack food processing equipment includes the NOCS cleaning system, NOPS pasteurization, and the OSRS fluidized bed roasting with proprietary ESL (Extended Shelf Life) technology. Grain and malt processing is anchored by the GMRS roasting system for color malts and bakery ingredients. The underlying technology is rooted in mechanical and thermal process engineering rather than digital or software platforms, with notable engineering features including ball roasting for optimal aroma yield (reintroduced by Food Masters in 2014), steam-heated systems that eliminate fossil fuel dependency, and combined preheating-sterilization systems that minimize water absorption to preserve aroma.

Food Masters generates revenue through three streams: (1) one-time sales of custom plants and individual machines with project sizes ranging from single units to complete turnkey facilities, (2) sale of spare parts and replacement components including critical items like roasting drums and roaster doors, and (3) recurring service revenue from preventive maintenance, process optimization, installation, and commissioning engagements. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by machine model, capacity, and configuration. The company operates from a 4,400 m² purpose-built facility (3,500 m² production, 900 m² office) completed in April 2018 and is led by Managing Directors Philipp Schiedt and Simon Bier. No external funding, M&A activity, or parent company involvement is associated with the business.

Name

Food Masters

Legal name

FOOD MASTERS FREIBERG GmbH

Website

https://foodmasters-freiberg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Food Masters Freiberg GmbH is a German specialty machinery manufacturer that designs, builds, and commissions custom processing plants and equipment for the cocoa, nut/snack food, and grain processing industries, serving industrial food producers globally through direct B2B sales and after-sales service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiberg Am Neckar

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Plant and Machine Sales: The company designs, builds, installs, and commissions custom processing plants and individual machines for cocoa, snack food, and grain industries. Revenue is generated through the sale of complete turnkey processing systems and standalone equipment (cleaning, pretreatment, roasting, sterilization, alkalizing, powder treatment systems). Project sizes range from single machines to complete plant systems.
2. Spare Parts and Replacement Components: The company maintains an inventory of spare parts (both large and small) and castings for critical replacement components such as roaster doors and roasting drums. Revenue is generated through direct sales of parts to existing customers for maintenance and repair of Foodmasters equipment.
3. Service, Maintenance and Process Optimization: The company provides on-site service including preventive maintenance inspections, process optimization analysis (productivity and energy consumption), installation, and commissioning services. Revenue is generated through service contracts and on-demand service deployments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Food Masters Freiberg GmbH designs, builds, installs, and commissions custom processing machines and complete turnkey plants for the cocoa, nut/snack food, and grain/malt industries. The portfolio covers cleaning, pretreatment, winnowing, alkalizing, roasting, sterilization, pasteurization, and powder treatment systems, supplemented by spare parts supply, preventive maintenance, process optimization, and recipe development services for industrial food processors worldwide.

Product overview

Food Masters Freiberg GmbH is a machinery and plant construction company specializing in processing equipment for the cocoa, nut and snack food, and grain industries. The product portfolio consists of modular processing equipment and turnkey plant solutions organized into three main categories: Cocoa Processing (CBCS cleaning, CBTS infrared pretreatment, UTTS-P steam pretreatment, CBDS winnowing, CNAS alkalizing, CNRS nibs roasting, UTTS-R steam roasting, CBSS sterilization, UBRS ball roasting, CPTS powder treatment), Nut and Snack Food Processing (NOCS cleaning, NOPS pasteurization, OSRS fluidized roasting, UBRS ball roasting), and Grain and Malt Processing (GMRS roasting). The company also offers comprehensive service including maintenance, spare parts, and process optimization consulting. All equipment is designed for the food industry with focus on food safety, energy efficiency, and sustainable operation without fossil fuels where applicable.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cocoa Bean Cleaning Plant CBCS Cocoa bean cleaning system for removing impurities including strings, wood pieces, sand, metal particles, and stones, available in capacities from 2,000 to 20,000 kg/h, for industrial cocoa processors.
• Infrared Pretreatment System CBTS Continuous infrared pretreatment machine using gas-heated infrared burners to loosen cocoa bean shells through spontaneous water evaporation, minimizing water loss and maximizing nib yield for cocoa processors.
• Steam-Heated Pretreatment System UTTS-P Sustainable batch pretreatment system using saturated steam for indirect heating without fossil fuels, providing controlled and uniform cocoa bean conditioning with full process traceability for cocoa processors.
• Winnowing System CBDS Cocoa bean winnowing/dehulling system using 2-stage centrifugal crushing and combination of sieving with air classification for optimal nib-shell separation, with movable aspiration unit for easy maintenance.
• Alkalizing System CNAS Batch alkalizing system for producing cocoa powders in various color shades (red, brown, black) through oxidation or chemical reduction processes, featuring spiral mixer for gentle product treatment and operation under negative, atmospheric, or overpressure conditions.
• Nibs Roasting System CNRS Flexible batch roasting system for cocoa nibs with integrated sterilization capability, featuring new TET heating system based on turbulent airflow for reduced energy consumption and hot air recirculation for energy efficiency.
• Steam-Heated Roasting System UTTS-R Sustainable batch roasting system using saturated steam for indirect heating without fossil fuels, with hygienic door design reducing recontamination risk and uniform heat transfer preventing local overheating.
• Cocoa Bean Sterilization System CBSS Combined preheating and sterilization system for cocoa beans using saturated steam under overpressure, minimizing water absorption during sterilization to preserve aroma development in subsequent roasting.
• Ball Roasting System UBRS Batch ball roasting system for cocoa beans (and applicable for nuts/oilseeds) providing best aroma development through ideal spherical geometry for optimal heat transfer, with pivoting front section for easy access, maintenance, and cleaning.
• Cocoa Powder Treatment System CPTS Combined grinding and batch stabilization system for cocoa powder providing precise particle size control, controlled stabilization with cooled air, and integrated bacterial filtration for hygienic processing.
• Nut and Oilseed Cleaning System NOCS Cleaning system for nuts and oilseeds removing strings, coarse impurities, fine particles, and metal contaminants, available in capacities from 1,000 to 20,000 kg/h, for nut and snack food processors.
• Pasteurization System NOPS Batch pasteurization system for nuts and oilseeds using saturated steam with combined preheating to minimize water uptake, reducing microbial surface contamination while preserving product quality.
• Fluidized Roasting System OSRS Batch roasting system for nuts and oilseeds using ESL (Extended Shelf Life) technology with fluidized atmosphere for optimal energy transfer, providing extended product shelf life compared to conventional roasting methods.
• Grain and Malt Roasting System GMRS Batch roasting system for grain and malt producing color malts (crystal, caramel, black malt) and roasted grain for bakery ingredients, with precise temperature and time control for reproducible color development.
• Service, Spare Parts and Process Optimization Comprehensive after-sales service including plant inspections, preventive maintenance, spare parts supply (including critical large spare parts like roasting drums and roaster doors), on-site service deployments, installation, commissioning, and process optimization consulting for energy efficiency and productivity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Steam-heated systems eliminate fossil fuel use in pretreatment and roasting, reducing environmental impact
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• GEA Group: German industrial food and beverage processing equipment giant with broad capabilities in separation, homogenization, and thermal processing. Touches the cocoa and nut processing markets through ingredient preparation but is not specialized in this niche.
• Hosokawa Micron: Japanese-headquartered food processing equipment group active in drying, milling, and agglomeration across food ingredients including cocoa. Overlaps with Food Masters in powder treatment and ingredient processing but operates across a much broader portfolio.
• Bühler Group: Swiss global leader in food processing equipment with a dedicated cocoa, nut, and grain processing portfolio. Competes with Food Masters across winnowing, roasting, and alkalizing systems but operates at vastly larger scale with multi-decade global service networks.

Direct peers

• Bauermeister: German manufacturer of grinding, processing, and cocoa refining equipment. Overlaps with Food Masters in cocoa and nut processing lines and shares the German Mittelstand engineering DNA with similar international B2B sales motion.
• F.B. Lehmann: German specialist manufacturer of cocoa bean processing machinery, including roasters, breaking/winnowing systems, and complete plants. Closely comparable niche focus, German engineering heritage, and customer overlap with Food Masters in chocolate-producing markets.
• Royal Duyvis Wiener: Dutch manufacturer of cocoa and nut processing equipment, including roasters, winnowing systems, and pressing equipment. Direct competitor in nearly every cocoa processing machine category Food Masters offers, with comparable scale and customer profile.
• Schaaf Technologie: German food and confectionery engineering specialist building turnkey lines for chocolate, cocoa, and nut processors. Competes with Food Masters on engineering services and process know-how for artisanal and industrial customers in German-speaking markets.
• Pometon: Italian specialty equipment maker for the cocoa, chocolate, and nut processing sectors. Direct competitor for processing lines serving artisan and industrial chocolate manufacturers in Southern Europe.
• JAF Inox: Portuguese stainless-steel food processing equipment specialist serving the cocoa and chocolate industries. Competes directly with Food Masters in winnowing, roasting, and sterilization equipment, frequently bidding for the same turnkey projects in EMEA.

Regional players

• Claudius Peters: German manufacturer of bulk materials handling and grain processing equipment with overlapping expertise in roasting and pneumatic conveying for grain and malt applications. Partial competitor in Food Masters' grain and malt processing line.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/food-masters-freiberg-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Food Masters