Fighting Supply Chain Setbacks, Unox to open New Production Facility in USA

In ongoing efforts to reduce lead times and meet growing demand in the United States, Unox, Inc. will soon begin building a state-of-the-art production facility near Charlotte, North Carolina

Unox, the Italian-based smart oven manufacturer known for its innovative combi oven technology, will soon expand production to the United States. Headquartered in Padua, Italy, with a worldwide sales and service presence, the move to open a new assembly facility in the USA is both a response to growing demand in the North American market and a way to get ahead of supply chain challenges forecast to continue into 2023.

While many equipment and supply companies continue to be affected by shipping delays, material and labor shortages, and production backlogs, Unox overcomes these challenges through lean vertical integration, a model the company adopted since its inception in 1991. Eighty-five percent of every Unox oven is made “in-house,” either in their primary manufacturing facility or through one of their subsidiary companies that manufactures specific parts and components.

“From metal to circuit boards to detergents and many other key components, we have integrated almost everything into our manufacturing process,” says Global CEO, Nicola Michelon. “This gives us more control in the overall product quality as well as the time involved to fulfill orders. It means we’re much less vulnerable to delays and backlogs.”

A more cost-effective flow

While the components will continue to be manufactured in Italy for the time being, the plan is to bring substantial stock to the Americas to be housed in the North Carolina assembly plant. According to Mark Klindera, President of Unox, USA, this will create a smoother, more cost-effective flow for fulfilling a growing number of orders in the North American market.

“The primary benefit of bringing production to the US is being able to get finished products to our customers on this side of the world more quickly,” he says. “Components from our Italian subsidiaries can be housed in the North Carolina assembly plant, making parts easily accessible and creating a faster line of production. Then once the ovens are assembled, domestic shipping will save time and costs for US-based customers. It’s a win-win.”

In addition to improving the production process, the new facility will also mean expanded job opportunities in the Charlotte area. The new state-of-the art facility is projected to bring thirty new jobs to the area, including positions related to engineering, research and development, technical support, sales, production, and warehouse management.

“We’re growing in so many ways,” says Klindera. “We’ve also recently expanded our sales and marketing team, and technical support team. True growth doesn’t happen in a bubble; if one aspect of the company is growing, others will surely be impacted and grow as well. This is very good news for Unox, USA and the Unox brand as a whole.”

Construction of the new Denver, NC-based production facility has just begun, with operations estimated to begin in Q1 2023.

 

About UNOX SpA
Founded in Padua, Italy in 1990, with a consolidated revenue of 139 million euros in 2020 and constantly growing, UNOX S.p.A. designs, produces and markets professional ovens for the food service, retail, pastry and bakery sectors. UNOX creates intelligent technology and applies it to professional cooking processes to support people and businesses who face the challenge of building their everyday success. Over the years the company, whose production plants and headquarters are based in Cadoneghe (PD), has become the leading world manufacturer of professional ovens for the number of sold units. It is active abroad with its own offices and commercial branches in 37 nations and its products are distributed in more than 110 countries. The UNOX team consists of more than 650 people, more than 200 of whom are based outside Italy. More than 50 professionals – physicists, mechanical, chemical and aerospace engineers – are engaged in research and development with the aim of developing intelligence and technology suitable for more efficient, repeatable and sustainable cooking processes.

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