Antunes’ mission is to provide our customers with innovative solutions to help them become successful so Antunes assembled the Innovation Department in 2024.
Led by Christine Laub, the team focuses on innovative ideas and improvements to better serve the global foodservice industry.
With over 20 years in product development, Christine has built her career at the intersection of engineering and strategy. She has earned patents and led teams to deliver bold, customer-focused solutions. Her diverse industry experience drives her innovative approach. Christine launched Antunes’ innovation department to turn forward-thinking ideas into customer-ready solutions.
Antunes Innovation Q & A with Christine Laub
- Q: What’s a commercial kitchen pain-point you’d love to solve through innovation?
A: “The availability of labor continues to be a challenge for restaurant operators and doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I’m interested in modular automation – flexible, simple solutions that add value and save time without requiring a full kitchen redesign. If we can make the job easier and more consistent, we can help kitchens run smoother and make the work more enjoyable for the team.”
- Q: Are there any current trends in food that are influencing your work?
A: “Health & wellness are growing consumer trends that I’m especially interested in addressing. How can we meet consumer demand for clean, healthy, and high-quality foods without adding complexity to operations? Consumers are looking for transparency, sustainability, and cleaner ingredients, which reminds us to design equipment that aligns business goals and shifting consumer expectations.”
- Q: How do you include operators in the innovation process?
A: “Operators are at the center of our innovation process. We use immersive site visits, customer interviews, and focus groups to bring their voice into our work. By spending time in kitchens and asking the right questions, we uncover pain points that aren’t always obvious and use those insights to create more thoughtful solutions.”
- Q: Are there any new technologies you’re exploring to enhance future equipment?
A: “We’re actively exploring new and emerging technologies at Antunes. We’re focused on solutions that improve labor and energy efficiency, enhance consistency, and add flexibility in the kitchen. Our goal is to create smart, adaptable solutions that grow with our customers and support their long-term success.”
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