In 1955, Continental Plastics, a small custom molding shop in Oklahoma, ventured into the field of foodservice supplies by creating the worlds first plastic Bains Marie. This was actually quite an innovation at the time, as it ultimately started a process that completely changed the way people managed food storage and handling in the industry. A few years later, the first commercial-grade plastic Beverage Pitcher (sometimes today affectionately referred to as a Beer Pitcher) followed. This original design, down to the little nubs on the bottom, became an international standard. Todays VersaPour is its direct descendent, and it was the precursor of what has become the most extensive line of beverage transport and commercial service products in the world.
In 1978, Continental Plastics of Oklahoma became part of the Carlisle Companies. Thirteen years later Continental Carlisle merged with SiLite Incorporated - a 46-year-old manufacturer of plastic foodservice products, giftware, and decorative accessories - to form Continental/SiLite International. SiLite had grown out of a wartime factory that made, among other things, blankets for the U.S. Army. After the war, they used the same material expertise to pioneer the use of cotton rag as a reinforcement for commercial Melamine dinnerware. Later acquisitions including American Cup, Arrowhead, Kenro, and Brookpark brought some of the most famous lines of Melamine under the SiLite name.
In 1994, Carlisle acquired the Sparta Brush Company . The Sparta brand was and still is recognized around the world as the premier name in professional quality brushes for the foodservice and food processing industries. Together, CSI and Sparta now offered more than 6,000 professional tools.
In order to better capitalize on the combined strength of CSI and Sparta, and to reflect the increased value Carlisle represented as a supplier to the foodservice industry, the name was changed to Carlisle FoodService Products in March of 1996. The new name provided a more easily recognizable global identity and supported the vision of bringing real value to the markets served in the form of a broad variety of quality products and services tailored to the needs of foodservice operators.
In February of 1997, Carlisle Foodservice Products acquired the foodservice assets of Plastics Manufacturing Company (PMC), another historic U.S. Melamine manufacturer. PMC had introduced the first Melamine Compartment Tray, and their Texas-Ware dinnerware is highly prized among collectors of 20th century tableware today. With the addition of the PMC lines, Carlisle became the largest commercial-grade Melamine dinnerware maker based in America.
A complete line of vinyl and fabric Table coverings and accessories followed in December of 1999 with Marko International. Then, in April 2000, the Dura-Ware Company of America joined Carlisle. For over 50 years, Dura-Ware was the first choice of foodservice and hospitality professionals for industrial-strength Cookware and fashionable Buffetware. January 2001 saw Toppo Manufacturings line of Pumps, Dispensers, and Organizers (including the original Speed-Rak bar organizer and first Condiment Caddy) added to the unmatched portfolio of time-tested and uniquely designed products for virtually every aspect of any foodservice operation.
Over the decades, the companies that make up todays Carlisle FoodService Products led the industry in many firsts. They have never taken their focus off of the kitchens, dining rooms, and banquet halls of the world. Because, if a product does not work for you there, than it does not matter how good a design it is.
Carlisle is dedicated to designing and making professional grade products with the people who have to use them every day in mind. Products that have real value and that can help make your operation run smoother, more efficiently, more profitably. It is Carlisles constant goal to give you exactly what you need - products that make your work easier.
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