MKN made its name specialising in professional thermal cooking equipment. The German company is known for classical cooking equipment combined with innovative multifunctional appliances. Regional Vice President Global Marine Stephan Kammel explained more to Hannah Barnett.
From Berlin to Dubai, and Paris to Manila, MKN equipment is powering first-class cuisine. This includes usage in top-class hotels, restaurants, corporate canteens and luxury cruise liners around the world.
In order to succeed at this high level, MKN has established a reputation for extremely innovative cooking technology. Perhaps the company’s most significant technological breakthrough has been the development of the flagship MKN FlexiCombi® steamer.
“This appliance set new benchmarks in terms of speed, efficiency and digital technology by revolutionising flexibility and performance in professional kitchens,” said Stephan Kammel, Regional Vice President Global Marine. “We are also known for SpaceClean®, the first and only fully automatic cleaning system for skillet pans.”
Then there is FlexiChef®, a multifunctional powerhouse that takes modern day kitchen routines to a new level. Users can cook and grill
at high speed or deep fry all in one appliance in the smallest of spaces.
The company keeps expanding. In 2019, MKN opened a new production site in Wolfenbüttel, Lower Saxony, to meet increasing demands.
Just four years later, a state-of-the-art welding centre was opened. MKN’s entire manufacturing site now covers an impressive 80,000 square metres.
“A further milestone is the MKN Campus,” Mr Kammel added. “This includes new offices, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, a culinary lounge and a co-working space to foster both innovation and team collaboration.”
This is supported by the impressive increase in company turnover, which has grown approximately fivefold in the last 23 years. The number of employees has also increased to around 600.
“We used to be a nationally oriented medium-sized company – now, we are a premium brand worldwide and a hidden
champion,” said Mr Kammel. “We have earned an excellent position in new segments and markets, and our export share has expanded to over 65 per cent.”
Manufacturing for marine
A portion of the company’s expertise is focused on producing innovative cooking technology for the marine industry. The equipment builds upon solutions that have already proven a success in the land-based market. The safety of the galley crew and compliance, along with the highest standards of hygiene for the guests, are particular focuses. But that is not all.
“Reliability, durability and quality of our appliances are equally important to us,” Mr Kammel
explained. “To meet these high requirements, we strictly adhere to the specifications of the USPH compliance standards. We attain this level thanks to close collaboration and joint development between our R&D department and the culinary expertise of our in-house application consultants.”
Sustainability is also firmly anchored in MKN’s culture. The company already buys green electricity and uses its own photovoltaic system to produce renewable energy. Now, it is finding further ways to improve.
“The future is our focus,” Mr Kammel explained. “This means starting with the development of new ideas for our professional cooking technology and extending over the entire production cycle to the utilisation of
renewable energy. We aim to achieve groundbreaking advancements by focusing on durable, energy-efficient products, sustainable packaging and numerous other measures to reduce our environmental footprint.”
Additionally, in 2024 the company began offering customers MKN SteelPlus. This low-carbon option means MKN commits to processing low CO2 equivalent stainless steel in its production in accordance with the customer’s order. This does not mean that the ordered equipment is directly manufactured using low CO2 equivalent stainless steel. However, on selecting this option, the percentage share of low CO2 equivalent stainless steel used in MKN’s entire production increases by the acquired share.
The launch of MKN SteelPlus enables the company to reduce its carbon footprint in professional kitchens considerably. MKN is the first and only company in the market to offer this option, setting the standard for the industry. An orientation towards sustainability also means the business is increasing its own operational efficiency as well as that of its customers. Of course, using fewer resources also reduces costs and therefore, for ecological and economic reasons, MKN appliances are always designed to save electricity and water.
Innovative developments
Alongside the products, MKN consistently invests in developing its manufacturing lines. In recent years, the focus has been on digitalisation and sustainability. Latest innovations centre on the famous FlexiCombi steamers.
“A new lighting concept combined with a fast operating system revolutionise cooking processes and increase productivity,”
Mr Kammel said. “Our FlexiRack® offers an incomparable increase in capacity of up to 50 per cent. Even the FlexiChef, with the first and only fully automatic cleaning system for professional cooking pans so far, demonstrates the high level of innovation in MKN’s premium technology.”
The company approaches each project separately. One of its latest high-profile projects in the maritime market has been with Virgin Voyages, a well-known cruise
line, with a capacity of approximately 2,700 passengers per ship.
“Every project and customer is unique,” explained Mr Kammel. “With Virgin Voyages, the objective was to increase the efficiency of kitchen processes and, at the same time, ensure a perfect on-board dining experience for a large number of guests. Our kitchen equipment solutions were the key to successful implementation of these requirements.”
Making a mark
It is clear that MKN has several key strengths. These include innovative technology, bespoke solutions, durability and sustainability, all of which have helped the company cement its reputation in the sector. “It is the combination
of these factors that allow us to stand out from many of our competitors, as a leading provider of professional kitchen equipment,” as Mr Kammel put it.
In order to be so successful, MKN also relies on robust inter-business relationships. Indeed, collaboration and personal partnership is crucial to the company’s success.
“We attach great importance to longterm and intensive relationships with all of our authorised galley contractors,” said Mr Kammel. “In addition, direct contact to the shipping lines and shipyards is crucial. Personal contact plays a decisive role and for us, particularly, has a special significance.”
A strong supply chain will prove a vital tool at a time when many companies are facing political and economic challenges around
the globe, including deglobalisation and increasingly complex export regulations.
As an independent family business, those at the top of MKN remain confident it will act on a long-term basis to secure prosperity for the business, employees, customers and partners.
“Our vision is to calmly build trust and increase confidence throughout the entire company with a clear focus,” concluded Mr Kammel. “Every change brings uncertainty, but it also brings opportunity – whether it be innovative product development, entering a new market or adjustment of production processes. We are patiently and persistently driving sustainability forward. Planned investments in our company location and digital innovations underline this path.
“What I enjoy most about my job is the variety and the collaboration with people from different countries around the world. It’s fantastic to be able to represent a premium product and accompany exciting, large-scale projects. I’m involved from the initial kick-off meeting up until the ship is put to sea – and it fascinates me every time.” n
