What Winterhalter Gastronom AG does

Winterhalter Gastronom AG is a privately-held, family-owned manufacturer of commercial warewashing systems headquartered in Rüthi, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland, with primary operational headquarters and production in Meckenbeuren, Germany, and a manufacturing facility in Thailand. Founded in 1947 by Karl Winterhalter and now in its third generation of family leadership (Jürgen Winterhalter as CEO of the Winterhalter Group and Ralph Winterhalter as CEO and Owner), the company specializes exclusively in professional dishwashing, glasswashing, and utensil-washing equipment, serving customers across hotels, restaurants, bars, cafés, quick-service, mass catering/institutional facilities, bakeries, butcheries, and food retail in more than 50 countries through 40+ subsidiaries and dealer/service partners.

The product portfolio is structured as an integrated "complete warewashing system" rather than standalone hardware. Core machines span undercounter dishwashers (UC Series), hood-type passthrough units (PT Series including the 2025-launched PT Utensil), utensil washers (UF Series, GS 630), rack conveyor dishwashers, and multi-tank/single-tank flight-type systems (MTF, STF). Around the hardware, Winterhalter sells water treatment devices (AT Excellence) and consumables, proprietary detergents and rinse aids (including EU Ecolabel-certified F 420), dosing technology, wash racks and accessories, and the DMX drying device. Layered digital services include the EcoPilot AI wash program optimizer (claimed up to 17% energy reduction), the CONNECTED WASH IoT monitoring platform, EasyAccess QR-based service access, and the PAY PER WASH per-cycle financing and service bundling model.

Revenue is generated through a combination of one-time hardware sales, recurring consumables (chemicals, water treatment salts and filters), paid service and maintenance contracts, and increasingly through PAY PER WASH transaction-based pricing. Distribution is consultative and channel-hybrid: direct sales through regional subsidiaries in major markets, complemented by specialized commercial-kitchen dealer networks and certified service partners handling installation and on-site maintenance. FY2020 revenue was €300M with approximately 2,000 employees worldwide. Pricing for most products is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; the PAY PER WASH model provides the only transparent per-unit pricing benchmark.

Name

Winterhalter Gastronom AG

Legal name

Winterhalter Gastronom AG

Website

https://winterhalter.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Warewashing Equipment

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing (325612)

SIC

Specialty Cleaning, Polishing And Sanitation Preparations (2842)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Dish & Cookware Cleaners (Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Baby Bottles) (CRAJABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Kitchen & Countertop Cleaners & Degreasers (CRAJACAA), Dishwasher Cleaners & Descalers (Machine Care) (CRAJABAF), Eco-Friendly Dishwashing (Liquids, Pods, Powders) (CRAJAOAB)

Keywords

• Commercial dishwashing systems
• Warewashing equipment
• Professional kitchen equipment
• Water treatment solutions
• Industrial dishwasher chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Rüthi / SG

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commercial warewasher sales: Sale of commercial dishwashing machines including undercounter, passthrough, utensil washers, rack conveyor, and flight-type dishwashers. One-time hardware revenue with 12-month warranty.
2. Water treatment systems and consumables: Integrated and external water treatment devices, water filters, and regeneration salts for optimal wash results and machine protection.
3. Chemical products: Detergents and rinse aids including F 420 e Detergent (EU Ecolabel certified) and B 2 S Rinse Aid, along with dosing technology equipment.
4. Service and maintenance: 24/7 service hotline, on-site maintenance, spare parts, and CONNECTED WASH monitoring services (currently free of charge).
5. PAY PER WASH financing: Fixed price per wash cycle model including chemicals and maintenance, providing an alternative to upfront equipment purchase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Winterhalter Gastronom AG designs, manufactures, and sells complete commercial warewashing systems for professional kitchens, encompassing commercial dishwashers (undercounter, passthrough, utensil, rack conveyor, and flight-type machines), integrated water treatment devices, specialized detergents and rinse aids, wash racks, and digital services such as EcoPilot AI optimization and CONNECTED WASH IoT monitoring, plus a usage-based PAY PER WASH financing model.

Product overview

Winterhalter Gastronom AG offers a comprehensive commercial warewashing system consisting of interconnected products and services. The core portfolio centers on commercial dishwashers across six product lines: undercounter machines (UC Series, including U50), hood-type passthrough dishwashers (PT Series including PT Utensil), utensil washers (UF Series, GS 630), rack conveyor dishwashers, and flight-type dishwashers (MTF multi-tank and STF single-tank). Complementing the machines are four supporting product pillars: water treatment (AT Excellence devices and consumables like filters and salts), washing chemicals (F 420 detergent, B 2 S and B 100 N rinse aids, dosing technology, and solid detergents for transport machines), wash racks and accessories (plastic, wire and stainless steel baskets for various wash items), and the DMX drying device. Digital add-ons include EcoPilot AI for wash program optimization, CONNECTED WASH for IoT monitoring, and EasyAccess QR code services. Service offerings encompass 24/7 technical support, Hygiene Express consultation, and PAY PER WASH financing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PAY PER WASH: Financing model offering fixed price per wash cycle, including chemistry, service and maintenance
• CONNECTED WASH
• EcoPilot
• EasyAccess
• Hygiene Express

Products and services

• UC Series Undercounter Dishwashers Compact commercial undercounter dishwashers for small to medium-sized kitchens, providing high-quality wash results for dishes, glasses, and cutlery in a small footprint; targeted at professional kitchens that need efficient in-place washing without a dedicated wash-up area.
• PT Series Passthrough (Hood-type) Dishwashers High-capacity hood-type commercial dishwashers designed for professional kitchens that require high throughput and consistent first-class wash results.
• PT Utensil A hood-type passthrough dishwasher that combines two applications in one machine, washing both utensils/equipment and dishes/glassware to deliver first-class wash results for professional kitchens needing versatility from a single unit.
• UF Series Utensil Washers Heavy-duty utensil washers for pots, pans, and large kitchen equipment, delivering powerful and hygienic cleaning for demanding commercial kitchen applications.
• GS 630 Utensil Washer A specialized utensil washing machine for large kitchen utensils and equipment, combining power and hygiene for professional kitchen cleaning.
• Rack Conveyor Dishwashers Continuous rack conveyor dishwashers for hotels and mass catering operations, providing high-volume dishwashing with automatic rack advancement for efficient workflow.
• MTF Multi-Tank Flight-Type Dishwasher Large-scale multi-tank flight-type dishwashing system for commercial kitchens, designed for continuous high-volume washing of dishes and utensils.
• STF Single-Tank Flight-Type Glasswasher Single-tank flight-type glasswasher designed for beer gardens and high-capacity glass washing applications.
• AT Excellence Water Treatment Devices Water treatment and water softener systems integrated into dishwashers or supplied as external devices, protecting machines from limescale and ensuring brilliant wash results.
• Water Filters and Salts (Consumables) Consumable water treatment products including filters and regeneration salts for maintaining water quality in Winterhalter treatment systems.
• Professional Detergents and Rinse Aids Professional-grade washing chemicals for commercial dishwashing, including EU Ecolabel-certified F 420 environmentally friendly detergent, B 2 S universal acidic rinse aid, and B 100 N rinse aid formulated for various wash applications.
• Dosing Technology Automated chemical dosing systems that ensure precise dispensing of detergents and rinse aids for optimal wash results and economical chemical consumption.
• Solid Detergent for Transport Dishwashers Specialized solid detergent formulation designed for use in rack conveyor and flight-type transport dishwashing systems.
• Wash Racks and Accessories Comprehensive range of wash racks made from plastic, plastic-coated wire, or stainless steel, customized for various wash items (bistro racks, glass racks, plate racks) plus rack accessories for optimal wash results and item protection.
• DMX Drying Device A drying device for efficient drying of washed items, complementing the dishwashing process and enabling quick turnaround of clean dishware in commercial kitchens.
• CONNECTED WASH Internet-connected dishwasher service platform that enables remote monitoring of machine data (wash cycles, operating temperatures, loading, error status), service requests, and ordering of consumables through the Winterhalter Online Angebot portal.
• Hygiene Express Expert support service providing comprehensive customer care and consultation for all dishwashing and hygiene questions across commercial warewashing operations.
• PAY PER WASH Flat-rate financing model offering a fixed price per wash cycle, inclusive of chemicals, service, and maintenance, providing predictable operating costs for commercial dishwasher operators as an alternative to upfront equipment purchase.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy consumption reduction of up to 17% with EcoPilot AI
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Certified installers and service partnerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerQualified installation firms authorized to perform machine connections to building infrastructure. Service partners providing on-site maintenance and repair services. These partners must follow ADR regulations for chemical transport and handling.
• Distribution partners and specialized dealerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialized commercial kitchen equipment dealers and distributors who sell and distribute Winterhalter products to end customers. Subject to ADR regulations compliance for chemical product transport.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Ecolab: Ecolab is a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection-prevention solutions, including commercial warewashing chemistry and dispensers. It does not sell dishwashing machines but competes with Winterhalter's chemistry/consumables business and is a potential partner for water-treatment integration in commercial kitchens.

Direct peers

• Electrolux Professional: Electrolux Professional is a publicly listed Swedish-Italian manufacturer of professional kitchen and laundry equipment, including commercial warewashers. It overlaps with Winterhalter's core dishwashing portfolio while also offering a broader cooking and laundry range, giving it wider customer access in foodservice.
• MEIKO: MEIKO is a German-headquartered manufacturer of commercial dishwashing and cleaning technology with a similar product range (hood-type, rack conveyor, flight-type, utensil washers) and a comparable systems approach combining machines, chemistry, and service. It is Winterhalter's closest direct competitor in Europe.
• Hoshizaki: Hoshizaki is a Japanese commercial foodservice equipment manufacturer with strong positions in ice machines, refrigeration, and commercial dishwashers (via its Jackson WWS and Hoshizaki America brands). It competes with Winterhalter globally, particularly across North America and Asia-Pacific.
• Hobart Corporation: Hobart (a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works) is the leading North American manufacturer of commercial warewashing equipment (flight-type, rack conveyor, undercounter, door-type). It directly competes with Winterhalter across HoReCa and institutional segments and shares the integrated 'machines + chemistry + service' go-to-market motion.
• CMA Dishmachines: CMA is a US manufacturer of commercial dishmachines (undercounter, door-type, conveyor, flight-type) serving restaurants, hotels, schools, and healthcare. It is a direct US-market peer to Winterhalter in the commercial warewashing category.
• Krupps Professional: Krupps (part of Ali Group) is an Italian manufacturer specializing in commercial dishwashing equipment, including hood-type, rack conveyor, and flight-type machines. It competes with Winterhalter across Europe, particularly in Italy and other Mediterranean markets.
• Fagor Professional: Fagor Professional is a Spanish manufacturer of commercial kitchen and warewashing equipment, including dishwashers and utensil washers, serving HoReCa across Europe and Latin America. It competes with Winterhalter's European and Latin American footprint in mid-market HoReCa.

Broad incumbents

• Ali Group: Ali Group is an Italian holding company that owns and operates a large portfolio of commercial kitchen and foodservice equipment brands (including Krupps, Scotsman, Hoshizaki-Europe lineage, and others). It is a broad incumbent that competes with Winterhalter via multiple subsidiaries in dishwashing and adjacent categories.

Regional players

• JEMI: JEMI is a Spanish manufacturer of commercial dishwashing and food-service equipment. It overlaps with Winterhalter's product categories but is primarily regionally focused on the Iberian market, making it a regional peer rather than a global direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/winterhalter.group
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WinterhalterDE
• Facebookfacebook.com/winterhalter.group
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/winterhalter-gastronom-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/winterhalter.gastronom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Winterhalter Gastronom AG