NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla.- Welbilt, Inc. (NYSE:WBT), a leading global provider of commercial foodservice equipment, today announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with HCL Technologies Ltd (HCL), a leading global technology company, to accelerate the development of Welbilt’s KitchenConnect® digital platform and its roll-out to Welbilt’s customers.
KitchenConnect is a premier digital solution for new generation of connected kitchens that enables operators to adapt quickly to an ever-changing environment, increase profitability, and comply with food and safety standards. KitchenConnect’s open cloud-based platform makes it possible for operators to connect other brands of kitchen equipment to it, simplifying how operators transform to a connected operating environment. It provides real-time insights, allowing for better equipment performance, reducing costs and food waste, improving workflows and food quality, while minimizing equipment downtime.
As part of this multi-year partnership, HCL will develop and enhance the KitchenConnect solution architecture for improved scalability, security and functionality of the platform. A dedicated HCL team of experts across IoT, Data Analytics, AI, ML and mobile technologies will drive the accelerated development of advance features for all equipment brands of Welbilt. HCL team will also ensure any customization and maintenance support for all Welbilt customers thus ensuring superior customer experience.
“At Welbilt, we are bringing together our industry-leading equipment brands with our premier digital platform to drive continuous improvements in kitchen performance for our customers,” said Bill Johnson, Welbilt’s President and CEO. “We are excited by all the opportunities presented by our partnership with HCL, taking our KitchenConnect solution to a new level.”
“HCL is excited to partner with Welbilt in the transformative KitchenConnect program. The relationship leverages HCL’s Digital Engineering experience to address Welbilt’s vision for digital transformation to enhance their ‘connected’ services and improve customer experience,” said GH Rao, President, Engineering and R&D services, HCL Technologies.
About Welbilt, Inc.
Welbilt, Inc. provides the world’s top chefs, premier chain operators and growing independents with industry-leading equipment and solutions. Our innovative products and solutions are powered by our deep knowledge, operator insights, and culinary expertise. Our portfolio of award-winning product brands includes Cleveland™, Convotherm®, Crem®, Delfield®, Frymaster®, Garland®, Kolpak®, Lincoln®, Manitowoc® Ice, Merco®, Merrychef® and Multiplex®. These product brands are supported by three service brands: KitchenCare®, our aftermarket parts and service brand, FitKitchen®, our fully-integrated kitchen systems brand, and KitchenConnect®, our cloud-based digital platform brand. Headquartered in the Tampa Bay region of Florida and operating 19 manufacturing facilities throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, we sell through a global network of over 5,000 distributors, dealers, buying groups and manufacturers’ representatives in over 100 countries. We have approximately 4,400 employees and generated sales of $1.6 billion in 2019. For more information, visit www.welbilt.com.
About HCL Technologies Ltd
HCL Technologies (HCL) empowers global enterprises with technology for the next decade today. HCL’s Mode 1-2-3 strategy through its deep-domain industry expertise, customer-centricity and entrepreneurial culture of ideapreneurship™ enables businesses transform into next-gen enterprises.
HCL offers its services and products through three business units – IT and Business Services (ITBS), Engineering and R&D Services (ERS) and Products & Platforms (P&P). ITBS enables global enterprises to transform their businesses through offerings in areas of Applications, Infrastructure, Digital Process Operations and next generational digital transformation solutions. ERS offers engineering services and solutions in all aspects of product development and platform engineering while under P&P, HCL provides modernized software products to global clients for their technology and industry specific requirements. Through its cutting-edge co-innovation labs, global delivery capabilities and broad global network, HCL delivers holistic services in various industry verticals, categorized under Financial Services, Manufacturing, Technology & Services, Telecom & Media, Retail & CPG, Life Sciences & Healthcare and Public Services.
As a leading global technology company, HCL takes pride in its diversity, social responsibility, sustainability and education initiatives. As of 12 months ended September 30, 2020, HCL has a consolidated revenue of US $9.95 billion and its 153,085 ideapreneurs operate out of 50 countries. For more information, visit https://www.hcltech.com/.
