Topic: How To Invest

Q: What do you think of Middleby Corp.? I read that it has some robots that it sells as well. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Middleby Corporation, $127.18, symbol MIDD on Nasdaq (Shares outstanding: 54.4 million; Market cap: $6.8 billion; www.middleby.com), designs, manufactures, markets, distributes and services a broad line of (i) foodservice equipment for all types of commercial restaurants and institutional kitchens, (ii) food preparation, cooking, baking, chilling and packaging equipment for food-processing operations, and (iii) premium kitchen equipment, including ranges, ovens, refrigerators, ventilation, dishwashers and outdoor cooking equipment, primarily used in the residential market. The company owns more than 75 brands, including TurboChef, Follett, Star, Viking Range, AGA, and Armor Inox. Founded in 1888 as a manufacturer of baking ovens, Middleby Marshall Oven Company was acquired in 1983 by TMC Industries Ltd., a publicly traded company that changed its name in 1985 to The Middleby Corporation. The company operates through three segments: The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group (55% of revenue) has a broad portfolio of foodservice equipment, which lets it meet virtually any cooking, warming, holding, refrigeration, freezing and beverage application within a commercial kitchen or…