Oren E. Klemm, Founder of FWE
Oren E. Klemm develops welded tubular base-frame design.
FWE carries on the tradition of foodservice equipment crafted for long lasting value.
Early orders come in from Hotel Elton in Waterbury, Conn., The Deshler Hilton Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton chain, Las Vegas' The Sands Hotel, Sheraton Hotels, Albert Pick Hotels, The Savoy Plaza, Chicago's Edgewater Beach Hotel, Gardner Hotels, IBM Corp., Illinois Bell Telephone, L.A. Country Club, Kansas State University and the Harvard Club of Boston.
FWE's first “Hot-Serve” cabinet hits the streets,with room for
96 pre-plated meals and
a list price of $960

A Commitment To Excellence For Over 55 years

History

Food Warming Equipment Company, now also known as FWE, was founded by Oren E. Klemm in the 1940’s and as he pioneered the “HOT-SERVE” line of Food Warming and Conveying Cabinets that are known throughout the food service industry today as Heated Banquet Cabinets. The Company was incorporated in 1953.

Recognizing the need for solutions to the equipment problems facing foodservice operators, it was more than 50 years ago that Oren Klemm (described by his son Richard Klemm as a “risk taker” helped change… “the concept of mass feeding but did it in an elegant manner,” Richard Klemm recalls. “Previously, when you attended a banquet or wedding the head table would be finished eating long before everyone else had even been served their food.”

In 1972, Richard Klemm became chief executive officer and chairman of the board, receiving four patents for his innovations, overseeing a manufacturing plant move as well as several expansions of the manufacturing facility and positioning the company for the next half century.

Today

FWE, Co., Inc. is a leading foodservice equipment manufacturer located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago and is a privately owned and operated by Deron Lichte, President. Mr. Lichte became the principal owner in 2005 and has worked for the firm since 1983, implementing a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant with leading edge production techniques adding those to FWE’s classic traditions. For over six decades, “FWE has held the focus to continually bring new quality products to the market that offer value, safety and labor savings to the operator and or guest”, says Lichte. “Helping people enjoy fresh, appetizing meals the way they were intended remains one of our top priorities today”.

FWE is relied upon every day to deliver meals efficiently, safely, and kitchen-fresh at leading hotels, QSR’s, fine dining restaurants, institutions and schools that provide foodservice that requires durability and menu flexibility. FWE offers Low Temperature Cooking, Holding, Serving Equipment, Ovens, Rethermalizing Units, Utility Transports, Refrigeration, Portable Bars and Racks that are designed to improve operating efficiencies that continue to be more innovative and durable that others available on the market.

Built out of solid tradition, FWE continues to move forward serving the industry with long lasting quality, dependability.

As a result of a Peerless Water Filter's
relationship with PepsiCo.,
FWE unveils portable bars, known as
“The Toughest Bar in Town.”

Richard Klemm , chief executive officer and
chairman of the board since 1972 to 2005.