Rational AG

RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft engages in the development, production, and sale of professional cooking appliances for industrial kitchens worldwide. It offers iCombi Pro and iCombi Classic, a combi-steamer with intelligent cooking paths, as well as care products for combi-steamers; iVario, a multifunctional cooking system that cooks in liquids or with contact with heat; and ConnectedCooking, an online portal for the professional kitchen. 

The company also provides accessories, service parts, and services for its products. It serves restaurants and hotels; communal catering, such as company canteens, hospitals, schools, universities, military, prisons, and retirement homes; and quick service restaurants, caterers, supermarkets, bakery and snack shops, butchers, petrol stations, and delivery services. The company sells its products through independent distribution partners. 

RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Landsberg am Lech, Germany.

The company was founded in 1973 by Siegfried Meister with 18 employees as a company for the production and distribution of hot air appliances in Germany. These quickly superseded conventional ovens that were used in the commercial sector before then. Initially, the company produced deep fryers and ovens. In 1976, Meister invented the Rational combi steamer for commercial kitchens and started its production. From 1978 onwards, the company concentrated solely on combi steamers and discontinued all other product lines.

From 1991, Rational expanded abroad and founded its first subsidiary in the United Kingdom. In 1992, the company took over the French partner Frima. Since then, local sales companies have been established in multiple countries across the world.

In 2000, "Rational GmbH" was converted to a stock corporation. Since March 3, 2000, the company has been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

In 2008, Rational opened its third plant in Landsberg. On March 4, 2009, the company was promoted to the MDAX. As of September 22, 2014, Rational AG was listed in the SDAX. In 2012, Peter Stadelmann joined the company and took over the business from 2014.

On August 11, 2016, Rational moved back up to the MDAX, and on September 18, 2017, the stock again moved to the SDAX. In 2018, Frima was renamed Rational and its VarioCookingCenter has since been marketed under the Rational brand.

On September 23, 2019, Rational returned to the MDAX. In April 2022, the contract of CEO Peter Stadelmann was extended until November 2027.

Rational AG's mission statement is:

"We create value for our customers by developing innovative solutions for hot food preparation that enable them to work more efficiently and to produce high-quality, healthy food."

The key elements of Rational AG's mission statement include:

Creating value for customers: The company is committed to creating value for its customers by delivering innovative solutions that meet their needs and enable them to work more efficiently.

Developing innovative solutions: Rational AG is focused on developing innovative solutions for hot food preparation, leveraging the latest technology and design to create products that meet the changing needs of its customers.

Enabling efficient work and high-quality, healthy food: The company's products and services are designed to help customers work more efficiently and produce high-quality, healthy food.

Rational AG's vision statement is "We want to be the leading provider of intelligent, networked solutions for professional kitchens worldwide."

The key elements of Rational AG's vision statement include:

Leading provider: Rational AG is committed to being the leading provider of solutions for professional kitchens worldwide. This reflects the company's ambition to be the market leader in its industry.

Intelligent, networked solutions: The company's vision is focused on developing intelligent, networked solutions that leverage the latest technology and innovation to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

Professional kitchens worldwide: Rational AG's vision statement reflects its global ambition, with a focus on serving professional kitchens worldwide.

Combi-ovens: Rational AG is best known for its combi-ovens, which are used in professional kitchens around the world. These ovens can be used for a wide range of cooking methods, including steaming, baking, grilling, and roasting.

Connected Cooking: Rational AG offers a range of connected cooking solutions that enable chefs to control and monitor their cooking equipment remotely. These solutions can be used to optimize cooking processes, reduce waste, and improve overall efficiency.

Cleaning and Care: Rational AG also offers a range of cleaning and care products for its cooking equipment. These products are designed to keep the ovens in optimal condition, ensuring that they continue to deliver high-quality results.

Accessories: Rational AG offers a range of accessories for its cooking equipment, including baking trays, racks, and temperature probes.

Training and Support: The company provides training and support services to help customers get the most out of their Rational AG cooking equipment. These services include installation, training, and ongoing technical support.