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About Us - Why We Do What We Do
We’ve been building commercial kitchen equipment for over five decades. Certainly, things have changed through the years. But one thing remains constant: we understand the foodservice industry and our customers.
Winston Industries began as a partnership with a famous Colonel. We developed a fryer to meet his specific needs. Consequently, our founder, Winston Shelton, left a solid engineering career at General Electric in the late 1960s to launch Winston Industries. Certainly, it was because of his entrepreneurial spirit and drive to create. Subsequently, he developed a whole new class of cooking and holding equipment.
We build upon this legacy because we believe in developing customer partnerships. Certainly, there is an entrepreneur in each of us. Accordingly, it’s the reason we’ve expanded our business – with innovation, new products, and geographical growth. Because we want to perpetuate our entrepreneurial spirit and provide the opportunity for others to do the same.
About Us - Who We Are
A lot of companies will tell you they “think outside the box.” But that’s not us – we never actually fit in the box to begin with. We’ve always enjoyed the position of being just a little different in our approach.
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Global Clients
Foodservice Leadership Team
With over a century of combined experience in foodservice, the Leadership Team at Winston keeps the future’s vision in the forefront, while leaning on the heritage and tradition the company was founded on over 50 years ago. Read more about us and our team.
Our History
Engineering Prototype Services Begins
Winston Shelton opens an engineering prototype shop with his brother Naaman. It is called Engineering Prototype Services.
Winston Meets Colonel Harland Sanders
Work on a pressure fryer prototype brings about an introduction between Winston and Colonel Harland Sanders.
The Invention of the Collectramatic® Fryer
Winston develops the first Collectramatic Pressure Fryer.
Commercial Appliances Established
Commercial Appliances, the company that will eventually become Winston Industries, is formed in a four-car garage in Louisville, Kentucky. Collectramatic® Fryers are put into production.
Company Renamed Collectramatic Inc.
Commercial Appliances is renamed Collectramatic Inc, in recognition of its primary product.
Norman Rockwell Paints Colonel Sanders
Winston Shelton commissions Norman Rockwell to paint Colonel Sander's portrait. The painting is completed in 1975.
New Headquarters is Completed
The company moves its headquarters to 2345 Carton Drive, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.
Going Worldwide: Collectramatic® Receives International Orders
Collectramatic, Inc. receives its first international order.
Controlled Vapor Technology (CVap®) is Developed
Shelton develops the primary variables of temperature and texture control in hot food holding applications, which eventually becomes known as Controlled Vapor Technology, or CVap.
Winston Industries is Established
Collectramatic, Inc. is renamed Winston Industries, to recognize the development of new products such as CVap.
CVap® Technology Expands to Cooking
The CVap product line expands beyond holding cabinets. Cook and Hold Ovens are introduced.
Patent Obtained for CVap®
Winston Industries obtains a patent for CVap technology. It is the first patent to describe the use of water vapor to thermalize foods.
Winston's Restaurant
In recognition of support from Winston Industries, Sullivan University names its new culinary restaurant Winston's Restaurant. It remains a nationally-recognized fine dining destination until its closure in 2015.
New President/CEO
David Shelton is named President/CEO of Winston Industries.
CVap Book Published
Winston Shelton literally writes the book on CVap technology. He publishes "The Fundamentals of Controlled Vapor Technology."
Distinguished WVU Alumni
Winston Shelton is inducted into West Virginia University Alumni Association's Academy of Distinguished Alumni.
ENERGY STAR® is Achieved
Winston Industries earns the ENERGY STAR® for CVap Holding Cabinets.
AKFCF Supplier Award
Winston receives the AKFCF Supplier of Distinction Award.
Educator of the Year
Winston Industries is named FCSI Educator of the Year.
James Beard House
Winston Industries becomes the first manufacturer ever invited to perform at the James Beard House in New York City.
StarChefs Innovation Award
Winston Industries receives the StarChefs International Chefs Congress Innovator Technology and Innovation Award for CVap Cook and Hold Oven.
IACP Award
Winston Industries receives the IACP Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
New President/CEO
Valerie Shelton is named President/CEO of Winston Industries.
Kitchen Data Systems
Kitchen Data Systems is added to the Winston Industries family of products.
Best in Class
CVap® is named Best in Class for Cook and Hold Ovens by the readers of Food & Equipment Supplies Magazine.
A&W Award of Excellence
Winston Industries receives the A&W Supplier Award of Excellence.
Salvagnini Equipment Purchased
New Salvagnini presses are added to the Winston factory floor (SL4 and P4).
Win2uit Division
The Win2uit Division is established. Win2uit begins operations in its own dedicated manufacturing facility.
Culture Club
Company Culture Standards/Culture Club is established. It strives to stand out from the rest, creating an environment where employees can thrive with the best resources.
Winston Shelton Steps Down
Winston Shelton steps down as Chairman of the Board and divests himself of controlling interest in the company. But he continues to experiment and brainstorm in the engineering lab, heading the Advanced Engineering department.
Divisions Created
Manufacturing Division and Ventures Division are created.
Development Begins
Ventures Division begins development on BeyondZero liquor freezing machine.
Four Divisions
First year operating as four divisions.
CVap® Gets A New Design
New CVap® design with touch controls, programmable dial and NFC bump technology developed and put into testing.
Winston Shelton Honored
Winston Shelton is honored in Louisville's Business First's Salute to Veterans.
Ventures Division Discontinued
Ventures Division is reabsorbed into the parent company.
Winston Shelton Passes
Winston Shelton dies at age 96. At the time of his passing, Winston still made occasional trips into the office to work on various projects. He is greatly missed.
Shaun Tanner Named CEO
Shaun Tanner is named President and CEO of Winston Industries, following the retirement of Val Shelton. Shaun is the first CEO in the company's history who is not a member of the Shelton family.