In 1955, Continental Plastics, a small custom molding shop in Oklahoma, ventured into the field of foodservice supplies by creating the world's first plastic Bains Marie. This was an innovation at the time, as it ultimately started a process that completely changed the way people managed food storage and handling. A few years later, the first commercial-grade plastic beverage pitcher or “Beer Pitcher” followed. This original design, down to the little nubs on the bottom, became an international standard. Today's VersaPour is its direct descendant, and it was the precursor of what has become the most extensive line of beverage transport and commercial service products in the world.
In 1978, Continental Plastics of Oklahoma became part of the Carlisle Companies. Thirteen years later Continental Carlisle merged with SiLite Incorporated (a 46-year-old manufacturer of plastic foodservice products, giftware, and decorative accessories) to form Continental/SiLite International or CSI.
SiLite had grown out of a wartime factory that made, among other things, blankets for the U.S. Army. After the war, they used the same material expertise to pioneer the use of cotton rag as a reinforcement for commercial Melamine dinnerware. Later acquisitions including American Cup, Arrowhead, Kenro, and Brookpark brought many of the most famous lines of Melamine under the SiLite name.
In 1994, CSI acquired the Sparta Brush Company. The Sparta brand is recognized as the premier name in professional quality brushes for the foodservice and food processing industries. Together, CSI and Sparta now offered more than 6,000 professional tools.
To capitalize on the combined strength of CSI and Sparta Brush and to reflect the increased value CSI represented as a supplier to the foodservice industry, a name change happened in March 1996 to Carlisle FoodService Products. This name offered a recognizable global identity and supported the vision of bringing real value to the markets we served – a variety of quality products and services tailored to the needs of foodservice operators.
In February of 1997, Carlisle FoodService Products acquired the foodservice assets of Plastics Manufacturing Company (PMC), another historic U.S. Melamine manufacturer. PMC had introduced the first Melamine Compartment Tray. Their Texas-Ware® dinnerware is highly prized among collectors of 20th-century tableware. With the addition of the PMC lines, Carlisle FoodService Products became the largest commercial-grade Melamine dinnerware maker based in America.
A complete line of vinyl and fabric table coverings and accessories followed in December of 1999 with the acquisition of Marko International.
In April 2000, the Dura-Ware Company of America joined Carlisle FoodService Products. For over 50 years, Dura-Ware was the first choice of foodservice and hospitality professionals for industrial-strength cookware and fashionable buffet ware.
January 2001 saw Toppo Manufacturing's line of Pumps, Dispensers and Organizers (including the original Speed-Rak® bar organizer and first Condiment Caddy) added to the Carlisle FoodService Products portfolio.
In January of 2008 Dinex was purchased by Carlisle FoodService Products to enhance their position in the healthcare market. Since becoming a part of Carlisle, Dinex has added many new products including the TQ Quiet Cart and Fenwick Insulated Ware. With the combined strengths of these two companies, Dinex provides the healthcare industry with the type of functional, innovative products they have become known for over the past thirty years.
In early 2017 Carlisle FoodService Products acquired San Jamar - adding almost 40 years of innovative solutions in food safety, counter service, personal safety and washroom products to the product offering.
In 2018 Carlisle FoodService Products was acquired by The Jordan Company of New York, NY, transitioning to a privately held business again.
In October 2018 the leaders of Carlisle FoodService Products created CFS Brands as the new parent company of the leading names in foodservice, healthcare and sanitary maintenance. Companies including Carlisle FoodService Products, San Jamar, Dinex, Sparta Brush. CFS Brands serves as a platform to offer expanded product choice, services and leadership to the marketplace.
Over the decades, the companies that make up today's Carlisle FoodService Products led the industry in many “firsts.” And, while some of these products made are now considered collectibles, they have won industry and design awards, and can even be found in the Museum of Modern Art.
CFS Brands borrows inspiration from our past and fosters a curiosity about function, process and practice.
At CFS Brands, we commit to designing and making professional grade products with the people who have to use them every day – Products that have real value and make your operation run smoother, more efficiently and more profitably. CFS Brands wants to give you exactly what you need - products that make your work easier.