ANDRÉS TORRES
to expand its Halo Heat product offerings, reaching new markets and industry segments. Ten in the 1990s, Alto-Shaam became one of the first manufacturers to introduce combi ovens to the American market. “My dad discovered the
use of combis in Europe and was so impressed by the technology, that he invested in licensing and bringing that technology to the US,” Maahs says. “Tat was huge for the company and the industry.”
FROM THE FACTORY FLOOR TO THE C-SUITE
Maahs has worked hard to continue his father’s legacy of innovation since assuming the leadership role as president and COO in 2007 (following Jerry Maahs’ passing in 2006) and CEO in 2023, although “titles don’t mean as much in a private company; what matters is getting the job done.” Maahs’ first exposure to the company business, however, happened when he was just a child. “My dad traveled frequently to make Alto-Shaam the success it is today, but without modern tools like cellphones or emails, he would come into the office on Saturdays to keep the business growing,” Maahs recalls. “I would tag along,
playing on stacked cardboard boxes in the factory.” “Ten, when I was a
teenager, I started working summers throughout high school and college in the factory as a general laborer,” he adds. “I rotated through various other positions in production, including the R&D lab, quality line, shipping and assembly. I now recognize how those early experiences shaped me both as a leader and a person.” After college, Maahs
worked for a distributor in Florida, handling everything from deliveries and trade shows to customer support. He then returned to his family business to work in sales, absorbing a lot about entrepreneurship and the different aspects of running a
“Working for a family business allows for deep connections among staff, fostering a shared purpose”
business “through osmosis.” Tere came a point when
Maahs had to make the decision to stay with the family business or explore other endeavors. “I came to understand what it meant to have my last name on the building,” he says. “My dad created something from nothing – I realized the significance of my father’s legacy and the entrepreneurial spirit behind Alto-Shaam and felt a strong responsibility to carry that forward and continue the legacy my dad started.” It allowed Alto-Shaam to
continue its mission of building and empowering lasting foodservice success. “Working for a family business allows for deep connections among employees, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose.”
Steve Maahs has carried on his father’s legacy as the CEO of Alto-Shaam
MILESTONES IN INNOVATION
Maahs has done what he set out to do, continuing his
LOCAL, GLOBAL, AND DIGITAL Today, Alto-Shaam employs
> 41
father’s legacy of introducing breakthrough technologies that define the industry. In 2017, the company launched the Vector™ multi-cook oven, powered by proprietary Structured Air Technology®
. Te platform
allows operators to cook multiple items at once, each in an independent chamber with no flavor transfer or timing conflict – solving major, current kitchen challenges around space, labor and consistency. Maahs has also made
significant investment in the expansion of the combination oven category, with Alto- Shaam’s invention of Converge® multi-cook combi ovens. “Converge ovens are a true
innovation in combi; it’s unlike anything the industry has ever seen before,” he says. Converge provides three independent combi ovens in one ventless footprint, giving operators the freedom to steam, air fry, bake, grill and more at the same time without flavor transfer. Te equipment also features Wi-Fi-enabled, ChefLinc™
remote oven
management technology so operators can manage their ovens from anywhere.
WORLDWIDE
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