Rational said the decision to amalgamate its combi-steamer ovens and Frima’s VarioCookingCenter units, was made to “better address the needs of the market and ensure almost all cooking challenges in a professional kitchen can be met.”

"Our customers in commercial kitchens are increasingly seeking appliances, complete solutions and top services to suit their exact requirements, in as a simple a way as possible, and from a single source," explains Markus Paschmann, chief strategy officer at Rational.

Paschman added that the merger would enable a combined solution consultancy to be on hand for customers, from large kitchens to casual dining caterers.

“Our principal objective is to continue inspiring our customers in a quick and straightforward way,” he said 

Michael Fuchs, chairman of the Frima management board, added: "The SelfCookingCenter and the VarioCookingCenter are a well-co-ordinated team when it comes to meeting the requirements of our customers’ modern kitchens."

The technologies of both product lines will continue to be developed in parallel and will be produced in tandem at the same factories as before.