About

We exist to make our customers successful while positively impacting a world in motion; as we improve the enjoyment of food and water for everyone.

With Antunes in your corner, you can expect success — but why? What makes our company so unique?

First, we’re proud to be family-owned and operated, with two generations currently working inside the company today. From our headquarters in Carol Stream, Illinois, we’ve grown to become a leading custom solutions provider of countertop cooking equipment and water filtration systems for the global foodservice market. At Antunes, we don’t just solve problems for our customers. We create the right solutions. That means offering innovative products of the highest quality, backed by our team of industry experts and our commitment to personal service. It’s what we’ve been doing for more than 70 years — and it’s what we continue to do every day for our customers around the world.

From our founding in 1955, August J. Antunes built our company on values that you can still find at Antunes to this day — principles like integrity, respect for people, passion, excellence and family. Those core values helped shape our company’s promise: to drive success for every customer — first by listening, then by delivering on our steadfast commitment to excellence. Today, Antunes continues to innovate, but it’s all about meeting the needs of our customers first. Our story began with the creation of a simple switch designed to solve a real-world challenge in the market — and new chapters of that story are written every day as our engineers and experts work together on the next great solution.

Historical Highlights

2024

2024 Antunes inaugurates new operations facility in Chennai, India. Antunes’ new 43,000 sq. ft. operations facility accommodates plenty of space for expanding capabilities.

2022

Water & Earth Flag with SCARCE – sustainability efforts, water reduction, waste reduction.

2021

Jane Antunes took on the new role of Chief Purpose Officer to support Antunes ongoing Purpose Initiatives. This role created the 5 Purpose Pillars; Responsible Culture, Giving Back, Community Involvement, Environmental Sustainability, and Product Solutions.

2019

Antunes finalizes the acquisition of Automated Manfacturing Solutions, Inc. (AMS) and Storelynk. The AMS acquisition expanded our capabilities to design and develop automated equipment solutions for the commercial foodservice industry. Designed specifically for restaurants and food vendors, the StoreLynk cloud-based analytics platform simplifies the integration of sensors and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled equipment that transforms the data into a dashboard for reporting purposes.

2019

Antunes continues environmental sustainability efforts by adding 40,000 square feet of Solar Panels, Electric Car Charging Stations and Permeable Pavement in the parking lot to reduce water runoff and control pollutants entering the environment.

2019

Antunes launched a joint venture in Chennai, India, to manufacture Antunes water filtration systems and countertop cooking equipment. Antunes is partnering with NADI Airtechnics Pvt. Ltd., an established India-based manufacturer of industrial fans, on the operation.

2016

Ground breaking ceremony for the approximately 55,000 square foot expansion to Antunes’ Carol Stream headquarters. The additional space will accommodate several advancements to Antunes’ operation, resulting in 40 percent more manufacturing capacity while utilizing 10 percent less assembly area.

2016

The company rebrands as Antunes to refresh and clarify its identity moving forward. As part of the change, the company eliminates the names of ROUNDUP and VISION in order to simplify its branding structure. The new branding is unveiled at the annual National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago.

2015

The company celebrates its 60th anniversary with events for team members, customers, suppliers, and business partners. This includes the annual charity golf outing, open house event, and company dinner for team members and guests.

2011

The company names Splash (formerly known as A Child’s Right) as its corporate charity. Splash is a non-profit organization committed to bringing clean water to children living in impoverished areas throughout the world, including Nepal, China, India, Ethiopia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

2011

After expanding to 15 productions lines and all three product divisions, the company’s China operation moves to a larger facility in Suzhou, China, with more than 43,000 square feet in order to accommodate our continued growth internationally.

2007

The company partners with Splash (then known as A Child’s Right), a non-profit organization that brings clean water to children living in impoverished areas throughout the world.

2003

With continued expansion internationally and the need for improved service in the growing Asian markets, the company builds a facility in Suzhou, China, the country’s second-largest industrial city.

2001

Glenn Bullock takes on a new expanded role of CEO and President of A.J. Antunes & Co. as Jim Antunes steps back from day-to-day operations. Virginia Antunes remains as Chairman of the Board.

2000

The company expands its product line to include water filtration with the new series of systems that utilize a patented, multi-bore ultrafilter to provide high-quality water at a low operating cost.

1999

The company condenses its operations from five separate buildings into a brand new facility in Carol Stream, Illinois.

1997

A.J. Antunes & Co. develops the VCT-200, the first 10-second commercial toaster, to support McDonald’s new ‘Made For You’ production system.

1990

August J. Antunes passes away on March 14, 1990. Team members, customers, distributors, representatives and business partners all mourn the loss of a truly great man who transformed the company into a global leader.

1979

August J. Antunes forms a new electronics division to make controls for the company’s expanding line of foodservice equipment.

1977

The company’s growing manufacturing business leads A.J. Antunes & Co. to build its second facility in Addison, Illinois.

1970

August J. Antunes creates the circular hotdog grill and names it “Roundup.” That same year, the company enters the foodservice industry as an equipment manufacturer.

1964

A new safety regulation for industrial ovens creates the need for specialized air and gas switches. August develops the W-1 switch, the first product manufactured by A.J. Antunes & Co.

1963

A.J. Antunes & Co. begins representing EmberGlo and its line of broilers and steamers, working with McDonald’s to use EmberGlo steamers to warm buns for their fish filet sandwiches.

1962

Following the passing of Jack Smith in 1960, August J. Antunes officially changes the company to A.J. Antunes & Co. August’s brother Jerry joins the company.

1955

Founder August J. Antunes meets Jack Smith, and the two begin working together as manufacturer’s representatives, forming a new company.