Location in Giga Grandi Cucine, Florence, Italy

Franke sells the deep fryer manufacturer FRIFRI ARO SA to Middleby

Stronger appearance in the market: a new modern website, an improvement of the leaflets and of the documents of communication.

An important year for frifri: the modification of the buildings is decided and approved. The factory building becomes enlarged and modernized. At the same time, the administration building becomes expanded to house a showroom.

Launch of the gas heated free standing fryers Impression M and Impression S. Due to a new burner system, these models need less energy and heat up quicker. In addition, they require less oil, the life expectancy is doubled and the quality improved compared to traditional gas fryers.

Launch of the new Business, V05M and Basic range with following specific unbeatable advantages: deep drawn oil tank, LCD display screen on the Business range, heating element holder are water and oil proof, degree of protection IPX 5.

Presentation of the first table top range with nearly the same advantages as floor standing fryers, i.e: integrated fat melting cycle, standby mode, electronic working and safety thermostat and temperature selection in steps of 5°C.

Launch of the Frita 10 table top fryer. A fryer with a large GN 1/1 container especially designed to fry products who need a large frying surface.

All free standing and built-in fryers were fitted with an electronic safety thermostat. frifri aro SA is the first company worldwide that got this certification.

frifri also considered the digital age. You can view the whole program on our web site. For our dealers and partners, all necessary information such as price lists, spare parts list or operating instructions are available on CD-ROM.

Presentation of the latest free standing and built-in fryers with digital display at the Gastro exhibitions in Basel and Milan. Likewise was shown the revised Frita table top fryers, which are fitted with a drain valve.

Gas heated fryers were introduced in the spring as a supplement to the assortment. In many countries the supply of electricity is too weak for attaching all devices in a professional kitchen (refrigerating chambers, washing plants, kitchen robot and cooking units). frifri catered to this market tendency and in the springtime launched on the Swiss and the international market, gas heated fryers.

Presentation of a World novelty.
After several years of development, an absolute novelty was brought to the market: "a fully computerized frying system". frifri is the first European manufacturer, who offers a fryer with a "Frying computer". The principle is easy: the very accurate thermocouple probe recognizes the filling of the basket and the computer calculates automatically the frying time. Thanks to this technology, you always receive the same quality of fried food. frifri received a patent of invention, No. 689504, for the principle of this frying computer.

In October, the professional table top fryer "FritaEco" was developed. "Eco" means economics and ecology. It is a very inexpensive, single-phase, ready to plug in fryers with 3,2 KW. frifri had manufactured typical household fryers in the past. frifri uses only best materials for its fryers such as chromium-nickel stainless steel and metal.

Development of the Frita table top fryer by Franke.

Development of the FF92 electromechanical fryer by Franke.

The E Models are replaced by the Optima line.

Development of the professional TF table top fryer. An assortment of 6 models was available: 4/4+4/6/6+6/8 and 8+8.

Giving up of the NOVA locals. The whole production is once again in the main house.

The Optima fryers with the control unit in the back of the fryer are developed along with the electronic models E30E and E40E. The household fryers also received a new look (model 142).

The company was sold to the Franke Group. Franke - one of the largest food service equipment suppliers - was the ideal partner.

The assembly workshops become too small. An additional location for the household fryers is rented in the NOVA building at the other end of the town.

The premises now cover an area of 7100 m2 and 80 persons are employed.

Purchase of a neighboring factory, which is overhauled and renovated. The original building is joined together with the new one. "E models" are in development, free standing as well as built-in fryers.

Second stage of construction. A new building is added to house the administration and the technical department.

First stage of increasing the capacity by enlarging the workshops.

Lack of space hampers activities. The need for expanding, modernizing and planning for the future is pressing. The charming little town of La Neuveville offers a site near the lakeside with very interesting conditions. The construction starts and within a short time 25 persons take over the modern building; spacious and well equipped with new facilities. With the exception of certain special parts, the entire manufacture is done in our own works. With such fast development, the need for new departments becomes evident to keep pace and several specialists join the company, taking these tasks in hand.

The first household fryer, the Piccolo, is manufactured and debuted to the public at the Hospes-exhibition in Bern. Its success is imposing and exceeds all expectations. The doors to the household sector will open wide.

A new stage is reached: Struchen & Cie. becomes ARO SA. The business is moved to Biel. One by one, new machine-tools are acquired. The welding is done in a cellar. With 14 employees, the company starts manufacturing and assembling its first fryer. The sales in Switzerland are soaring. First contacts are established abroad, exportation is suddenly within reach. The professional fryer is becoming an indispensable accessory to the caterers.

The first fryer under the name of De Luxe is put on the market. Other models whose names Room, Doppo, and Captain remain synonyms for quality and reliability will soon follow. The cramped space does not allow for the complete manufacturing of the units, some items are simply assembled and the important parts are manufactured elsewhere.

Mr. Struchen, employed as a manufacturing manager of a watch company, decides to change his occupation. The business, Struchen & Cie. is established in Malleray among modest surroundings. Two people are employed. Importing gas fryers of American origin launches the activity. This kind of appliance is totally unknown in our country but proves to be a clear success right from the beginning. New doors open up to the Helvetic Gastronomy.