Foundation: 1874

Vollrath was established in 1874 when German-American industrialist Jacob J. Vollrath founded the Sheboygan Cast Steel Company in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The original enterprise was not exclusively a cookware manufacturer; it produced a variety of metal products including railroad components, small cast-metal parts, cooking ranges, agricultural implements, and other cast-steel items.

Jacob’s son, Andrew Vollrath, subsequently learned porcelain-enameling techniques in Germany. Upon his return to Wisconsin in 1876, the family began experimenting with the production of enameled cast-iron utensils, a technology that eventually became a foundation of the business.[2] The company was incorporated as the Jacob J. Vollrath Manufacturing Company in 1884, and by the late nineteenth century, enamelware had become a significant part of its operations.[3]

Development of enamelware

A key early technological milestone for Vollrath was its work with enameled cast iron and steel. In 1889, Carl A. W. Vollrath, Jacob’s son, originated and patented a distinctive speckled enamel used on household utensils, which became central to the company’s identity and product development.[2] During this period, Vollrath enamelware received recognition at major industrial exhibitions, helping to establish its reputation as a manufacturer of kitchen and household products.[4]

The 1900 transformation

A pivotal turning point occurred in 1900 when Vollrath decided to concentrate its manufacturing activities on cooking utensils and cookware rather than continuing as a broadly diversified metal manufacturer. The company expanded its sales presence with offices in cities such as Chicago and New York while enlarging its Sheboygan manufacturing facilities.[2] In 1908, the corporate name was changed to The Vollrath Company, the name under which the business continues to operate.[5]

Construction of the company’s major facility on North 18th Street in Sheboygan began in 1910, with operations gradually relocating there over the following years. This site remains closely associated with Vollrath’s corporate and manufacturing history.[5]

Transition to commercial foodservice

Although historically associated with household enamelware, Vollrath gradually developed a substantial commercial foodservice business. An important milestone occurred in 1919 when the company introduced steam-table pans and related equipment in its catalog, marking an early step toward the commercial kitchen market.[5] Throughout the twentieth century, Vollrath increasingly developed products for professional kitchens, institutions, restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, and other foodservice operations.

The product portfolio eventually expanded beyond traditional cookware to include equipment and supplies for cooking, food preparation, storage, serving, buffet and catering operations, and institutional foodservice. Today, Vollrath Foodservice focuses on providing commercial cooking and serving equipment designed for professional kitchen environments.[5]

Modern Vollrath encompasses a broad range of manufacturing capabilities beyond consumer cookware.

Commercial cookware

Vollrath produces professional cookware intended for restaurants, hotels, institutional kitchens, and other commercial applications. The range includes fry pans, sauce pans, stock pots, sauté pans, specialty cookware, and induction-compatible, stainless-steel, and aluminum options. These products emphasize durability, heat performance, repeatable cooking results, and commercial-kitchen efficiency.

Food preparation equipment

The company manufactures equipment and utensils for professional food preparation, including cutting boards, mixing and preparation equipment, food processors, measuring and portioning tools, and food-handling products. Vollrath products appear in NSF International’s current food-equipment certification listings, covering items such as cutting boards and aluminum colanders.[6]

Serving and buffet equipment

Vollrath produces equipment for food presentation and serving in buffets, catering, banquets, self-service operations, institutional dining, hotels, restaurants, and cafeterias. This category includes serving pans, chafing and buffet equipment, display products, and serving utensils.

Commercial kitchen equipment

Beyond individual cookware pieces, Vollrath provides larger professional-kitchen solutions. The company positions itself as a supplier capable of combining products, engineering expertise, consulting, and customized solutions for commercial foodservice operations.[5]

Manufacturing and OEM services

Through Vollrath Manufacturing Services, the company offers industrial manufacturing capabilities including deep-draw metal forming, progressive metal stamping, engineering, product development, custom fabrication, and OEM manufacturing. This division establishes Vollrath as a manufacturing partner for other businesses in addition to being a consumer-facing or foodservice brand.[2]

The modern Vollrath organization operates several distinct brands and business units:

• Vollrath Foodservice: The core commercial foodservice business covering cooking, preparation, serving, and professional kitchen products.[2]
• Stoelting Foodservice: Established with roots dating to 1905, this brand specializes in equipment for frozen desserts and beverages.[2]
• Pujadas: Based in Spain and operating since 1921, Pujadas develops professional cookware and foodservice equipment, providing Vollrath with a significant European presence.[2]
• Vollrath Manufacturing Services: Focuses on industrial and OEM manufacturing, including metal forming and stamping.[2]
• Other businesses: The corporate family also includes Stoelting Cleaning, Polar Ware, and Corsair.[2]

Vollrath remains privately held and family-owned, distinguishing it from many historic American cookware manufacturers that were acquired by large conglomerates. The company states that ownership has continued through the sixth and seventh generations of the founding family and describes the current ownership as woman-owned.[2] This continuity is central to Vollrath’s corporate identity, framing its longevity as the continuation of a family manufacturing business across multiple generations.

Vollrath maintains manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, and China, with the majority of its product line manufactured or assembled in the United States.[5] Corporate sources describe the organization as having more than 1,300 employees and 12 facilities across three continents.[2] This footprint allows Vollrath to maintain domestic manufacturing while supporting an international supply and production network.

Vollrath’s modern brand positioning emphasizes quality, durability, innovation, engineering, manufacturing expertise, customer service, sustainability, and long-term relationships. The foodservice division specifically aims to help professional chefs and operators work more efficiently.[5]

In connection with its 150th anniversary, Vollrath introduced a refreshed corporate brand identity and the tagline “Creating Better™,” reflecting a goal of improving workplaces, communities, and lives through its business activities.[5]

While cookware remains a recognizable aspect of the Vollrath name, the company is fundamentally a professional foodservice and manufacturing entity rather than solely a consumer cookware brand. Its historical reputation stems from enamelware, but its modern identity is tied to commercial kitchens. Consequently, many products are engineered for the demands of restaurants and institutions, including frequent daily use, high temperatures, commercial burners, induction cooking, rapid production cycles, heavy washing, and large-scale food preparation.

Vollrath holds significance in American manufacturing history for several reasons:

• Longevity: Operating since 1874, the company has more than 150 years of corporate history.[2]
• Enamelware development: Early development of enameled cast iron and steel products contributed significantly to its growth and reputation.
• Commercial transition: Unlike many peers, Vollrath successfully transitioned from household cookware to becoming a major supplier for commercial kitchens.
• Family ownership: Continued sixth- and seventh-generation family ownership distinguishes it from many historic American manufacturers.[2]
• Diversification: The modern company encompasses foodservice, frozen-dessert equipment, cleaning equipment, professional cookware, and industrial/OEM manufacturing.

While consumers may encounter Vollrath as a cookware brand, it is primarily a 150-year-old American manufacturing company whose cookware business is part of a broader foodservice organization.

The Vollrath Company, LLC is headquartered at 1236 N. 18th Street, Sheboygan, Wisconsin 53081-3201, United States.[2] Sheboygan has remained the home of Vollrath since its founding in the nineteenth century.

• 1874: Jacob J. Vollrath establishes the Sheboygan Cast Steel Company in Wisconsin.
• 1876: Andrew Vollrath returns from Germany with porcelain-enameling knowledge; enamelware production begins.
• 1884: Business incorporated as Jacob J. Vollrath Manufacturing Company.
• 1889: Carl A. W. Vollrath develops and patents speckled enamel.
• 1890s: Vollrath gains recognition for enamelware and expands product range.
• 1900: Company focuses business on cooking utensils and cookware.
• 1908: Name becomes The Vollrath Company.
• 1910–1916: Major manufacturing facilities developed at North 18th Street location in Sheboygan.
• 1919: Steam-table pans and foodservice equipment appear in product catalog.
• 20th century: Expansion from household cookware into commercial foodservice.
• 21st century: Development into diversified global foodservice and manufacturing organization.
• 2024: Vollrath celebrates 150th anniversary and refreshes corporate brand identity.
• 2026: Continues operating as privately held, family-owned global manufacturer.[2]

1. Company History | Vollrath Foodservice
2. Vollrath Company – Our Company
3. Heritage | Vollrath Manufacturing Services
4. Vollrath Company History
5. The Vollrath Company
6. Listing Category Search Page | NSF International