TEC’S SEARMASTER LINE SOLD TO ITW

Illinois Tool Works Food Equipment Group North America has acquired a number of assets from the commercial business of Thermal Engineering Corp. As part of the acquisition, ITW’s Vulcan brand will own the exclusive rights to TEC’s patented infrared cooking technology and a license to sell TEC’s Searmaster Charbroiler product line. Vulcan is part of ITW’s Food Equipment Group. TEC was founded 50 years ago by Bill Best. The Columbia, S.C., company will focus on its other businesses, including residential barbecues.

The Searmaster and the company’s infrared cooking technology received the 2006 Kitchen Innovations Award from the National Restaurant Association and the 2006 Blue Flame Award for the most innovative technology from the Gas Foodservice Equipment Network.