ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2000--The Middleby Corporation (NASDAQ:MIDD - news), a global supplier of equipment to the foodservice industry, today announced the promotion of Selim Bassoul to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Bassoul joined the Middleby Corporation in 1996 as the Division President of its Southbend core cooking equipment division. More recently Mr. Bassoul had been named as Group President of the Middleby Cooking Systems Group, consisting of the Company's worldwide manufacturing operations.
Commenting on the promotion, David P. Riley, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, ``I am very pleased to appoint Selim Bassoul to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer. With this promotion, Selim will have complete responsibility for all Middleby Corporation worldwide operations. During his tenure with the company, Selim has provided tremendous leadership and the operating divisions under his responsibility have delivered record sales and earnings growth. In 1999, Selim consolidated the Company's worldwide manufacturing operations into the Cooking Systems Group. This transformation has lead to enhanced marketing and distribution capabilities and a more effective cost structure. The broadened responsibilities will allow Selim to continue with efforts to improve the operations of the Company, and in turn improve the overall financial performance and enhance shareholder value.''
The Middleby Corporation is a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and service of a broad line of equipment used for cooking and preparation of food in commercial and institutional kitchens and restaurants throughout the world. The Company's leading equipment brands include Middleby Marshall®, Southbend (R), and Toastmaster (R). Middleby's international subsidiary, Middleby Worldwide, is a leading exporter and distributor of foodservice equipment in the global marketplace and its international fabrication subsidiary, Middleby Philippines Corporation, is a leading supplier of specialty equipment in the Asian markets.
For further information about Middleby, visit the Company's World Wide Web site, http://www.middleby.com.
Contacts: David P. Riley, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Middleby Corporation 847-758-3880
David B. Baker, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of
Administration, The Middleby Corporation 847-429-7915
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