Fortifi Food Processing Solutions acquired I.J. White Systems, a designer of spiral cooling and freezing systems for the food industry, to expand its thermal processing capabilities and strengthen solutions for bakery, dairy, and prepared foods manufacturers.
- I.J. White Systems specializes in spiral cooling, freezing, conveying, proofing, and hydro-chilling systems for food production since 1919
- The acquisition expands Fortifi's thermal-processing portfolio and enables centralized bakery production with frozen formats for wider distribution
- Ultra Series Systems use integrated refrigeration and steam technologies controlling temperatures from 210°F to minus 40°F
- Fortifi plans to expand I.J. White solutions internationally to Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand
- The acquisition strengthens capabilities in specialty bakery and ready-to-eat products, addressing growing market demand for preservative-free options
Fortifi Food Processing Solutions acquired I.J. White Systems (IJW), a designer and builder of spiral cooling, freezing and conveying systems for the food industry, the company announced Nov. 3. Fortifi, based in The Woodlands, Texas, provides food processing automation, software and applied robotics.
In addition to spiral systems, IJW provides proofing, hot/hold, pouch and hydro-chilling, and in-pan cooling systems, along with cleaning and sanitation packages, to the bakery, dairy, prepared foods, protein, seafood and other food production markets.
“I.J. White brings proven spiral cooling and freezing technologies to Fortifi and strengthens how we serve food processors,” said Massimo Bizzi, CEO of Fortifi. “By combining IJW’s expertise with our existing capabilities, we can provide more complete solutions for customers in bakery, prepared foods and other markets. We look forward to welcoming the IJW team and building on the company’s strong record of practical engineering and responsive customer service.”
Irving John White founded the company in lower Manhattan in 1919 as a reseller and manufacturers’ representative. In 1965, IJW began designing and manufacturing the vertical processing systems that remain central to its business. The company has been owned by three generations of the White family, most recently led by Peter White, and designs and manufactures its products in Farmingdale, New York.
IJW’s Ultra Series Systems use integrated refrigeration, heating, hydrothermal and steam technologies to control product heat transfer at temperatures ranging from 210 degrees Fahrenheit to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
“After a century of family leadership, I am confident in our company’s future as part of Fortifi Food Processing Solutions,” said Peter White, president and CEO of I.J. White. “Fortifi shares our commitment to understanding customers’ needs and developing products that deliver practical, lasting value.”
According to Fortifi, the acquisition expands its thermal-processing portfolio and broadens its capabilities in bakery, where frozen formats are changing production and distribution. The company said freezing allows centralized production of bakery products that can be shipped farther and finished closer to the point of sale, broadening processors’ markets and helping them take advantage of specialty and preservative-free products.
“Demand for specialty bakery and diverse ready-to-eat products is increasing the need for reliable cooling, freezing and product-handling systems,” said Mark Dowdle, executive vice president of strategy and business development for Fortifi. “I.J. White has built a strong North American business around that need, with a substantial installed base and longstanding customer relationships. Additionally, Fortifi’s broad commercial presence and in-region service capabilities give us a clear path to bring IJW’s solutions to more processors in Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.”
