what we need to do to deal with a situation, and there is a confidence in everybody that we will deal with it.” Tat foundation also enables Convotherm
to be on the front foot when it comes to growth plans, says Pedersen. “Our global approach ensures a strong presence across many regions. While some markets are growing and others are not, we continuously evaluate and adapt our strategy accordingly.” He also believes the company could be
doing much more in terms of brand awareness and investing into new geographical areas where it might not have focused before: “Latin America is one of those areas where we see growth for the future. APAC also promises growth in specific segments.”
Shifting segments Pedersen believes each market segment needs to be assessed on its own merits. “Tere is a shift in terms of spending,” he says. “Looking at people going out to eat, there is currently a downturn in trade for high-street restaurants. It will always be a big part of the market, but there is a shift now towards people spending more on value-based meals: the QSR and retail segments.” Tis year, Convotherm launched an
innovative new product catered to these growth segments. Its mini pro series features the world’s smallest and smartest combi oven, marking a revolution in the compact class of cooking technology. At just 49.8cm wide across the range, these ovens are “the answer” to the demand for higher throughput in the smallest spaces, says Pedersen. Te first compact combi ovens with AI-driven Optical Cooking innovation, the mini pro is low on energy consumption and the first ovens in their class to offer integrated Solid-to-Liquid cleaning technology. “We call it the ‘King of Compact’,” says
Pedersen. “Te mini pro is the common-sense
Convotherm believes compact is the future of foodservice. Its mini pro series features the world’s smallest and smartest combi oven
Our global approach ensures a strong presence across many regions. While some markets are growing and others are not, we continuously evaluate and adapt our strategy Claus Pedersen, Convotherm
solution for many foodservice segments – QSRs, convenience stores, cafés, bakeries, and chain operations of every size – because it fits extremely well into a small space, offers great flexibility and does not need a skilled chef.” Using ConvoSense, a system that detects the
food placed inside the oven and automatically launches the corresponding cooking program, eliminates the need for staff input. Tis automation reduces training time, improves consistency and minimizes errors. It can save up to 60 minutes of labor daily, lowers energy usage by 28%, and reduces food waste by 17%, all of which contribute to stronger margins and more sustainable operations. Trough integration with Welbilt’s KitchenConnect® system, operators can manage menus, monitor performance, and optimize production remotely across multiple locations. For Pedersen and his team, compact is
the future of foodservice. “We have high expectations for this product because we believe it fits with the trends we are seeing. Restaurants and outlets are getting smaller. Now, it’s all about space, ease of use, using less energy, and bringing more efficiency and flexibility. Te mini pro product portfolio addresses this. We believe there is additional growth in other segment areas where this commonsense product portfolio fits,” he says. Te reaction from operators has been
“fantastic,” he says. “I have been extremely happy since our launch at Internoga 2025. Attendees were blocking the hallways and other companies’ booths so they could look at it. We even had competitors coming over and admiring what we’ve done, telling us: ‘Tat’s really good.’ We’ve had great brand awareness since then,” he says.
Ahead of the game Te mini pro’s AI-driven capability signifies a step-change for the future, says Pedersen. “ConvoSense was developed and launched back in 2020 but now is really the right time for artificial intelligence in foodservice – it’s much more accepted now. We also see the potential to do lots more AI-driven projects in the future,” he adds. “Tere are lots of repetitive processes
in equipment manufacturing, from order processing to invoicing, production planning, aftersales, service support, quality checks, and end-of-line testing. Artificial intelligence frees up resources so people can spend time on the other things where AI is not feasible. Tis is something we will continue to invest in over the forthcoming years. We must rethink the way we use our employees’ own intelligence, day-to-day.”
A perfect match In January 2025, Ali Group acquired JIPA, a Czech Republic-based manufacturer of advanced electrical multifunctional devices for commercial kitchens. Te cornerstone of JIPA’s product line, the JIPA JUMP multi- purpose pan, performs a variety of cooking functions, including pressure cooking, frying, braising, grilling, and sous vide. Pedersen is overseeing the integration of
the brand into the Group’s portfolio. “We started working with JIPA more than two years ago. We were looking for a partner for multi-purpose cooking pans, because the market was ready for those, and JIPA’s product has proved to be extremely complementary to Convotherm. It’s perfect for foodservice projects such as larger canteens, due to its multi-functionality,” he says. “Acquiring JIPA was an excellent move, for
Convotherm and many other brands in the Group, because it adds an additional, fantastic product to our offering. Te feedback from other Ali Group brands has been very positive, and I see this helping Convotherm adopt an even stronger brand position in the industry.” Whatever “hot topics” the future may
present, Pedersen and his colleagues relish turning them into opportunities to grow – and flourish. ■
Aliworld 9
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