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About Pujadas

Overview

Pujadas, officially Vollrath Pujadas S.A.U., is a Spanish manufacturer specialising in professional cookware, kitchen utensils, foodservice equipment and hospitality supplies. Established in 1921 in Manlleu, near Barcelona, the company has grown from a small metalworks producer of pastry utensils into an international supplier for the HORECA and foodservice sectors. Since 2015, Pujadas has been part of The Vollrath Company, a family-owned foodservice manufacturing group based in the United States 1.

The company currently operates from Santa Coloma de Farners, Girona, Spain, with facilities exceeding 25,000 m². It reports a commercial presence in over 80 countries, serving restaurants, hotels, catering firms, restaurant chains, cafés, bars, pastry businesses, institutions, cruise operators and other professional foodservice establishments 2.

Company profile

Item Information
Brand Pujadas
Legal/company name Vollrath Pujadas S.A.U.
Founded 1921
Founder Miquel Pujadas
Origin Manlleu, Catalonia, Spain
Headquarters / main facility Santa Coloma de Farners, Girona, Spain
Industry Professional foodservice / hospitality equipment
Parent group The Vollrath Company
Parent-company relationship Pujadas joined Vollrath in 2015
Geographic presence 80+ countries
Core customers Restaurants, hotels, catering, chains, cafés, bars, institutions and professional kitchens
Main positioning Professional cookware and comprehensive foodservice solutions

Pujadas positions itself as a manufacturer rather than a distributor, emphasising control over the production process, industrial investment, engineering, quality assurance and continuous improvement 3.

History

1921: Foundation

Miquel Pujadas founded the company in 1921 in Manlleu, Spain. Originally operating as Miguel Pujadas S.A., the business focused on metalwork and utensils for the pastry industry 4. This manufacturing origin distinguished Pujadas from general hospitality equipment distributors, establishing a foundation in metal fabrication that underpins its current specialisation in professional kitchen products.

1940s: Diversification

During the 1940s, the company diversified its manufacturing activities to include milk jugs, tricycles and kitchen utensils. This period demonstrated that Pujadas operated as a broader metal-products manufacturer before focusing exclusively on cookware 5.

1960s–1970s: Specialisation in cookware

In the 1960s and 1970s, Pujadas increasingly specialised in metal forming, cookware and kitchen accessories. The company developed expertise in deep drawing and spinning processes while concentrating on professional cookware and complementary products. International exports also commenced during this era 6, establishing the business model of manufacturing specifically for professional kitchens rather than domestic consumers.

1999: Relocation to Santa Coloma de Farners

A significant milestone occurred in 1999 when Pujadas relocated its operations to Santa Coloma de Farners in Girona. The new site initially provided more than 20,000 m² for manufacturing and warehousing and remains the company’s principal industrial base 7.

2015: Acquisition by Vollrath

In 2015, Pujadas became part of The Vollrath Company, transitioning from a primarily European cookware manufacturer to a member of a global foodservice group 8. This acquisition combined Pujadas’ Spanish manufacturing base and European market expertise with Vollrath’s international scale, distribution networks and resources. The Vollrath Company, founded in 1874 and headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, maintains manufacturing and sales operations worldwide 9.

2020: Launch of Pujadas Grill

Pujadas expanded into charcoal ovens and live-fire cooking equipment in 2020 with the introduction of Pujadas Grill 10. This development extended the brand’s portfolio beyond traditional cookware and smallwares into larger professional cooking equipment.

2021: Centennial

The company celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021, marking a century of manufacturing activity since its establishment in Manlleu 11.

2022: Industrial expansion

Investment in manufacturing infrastructure continued in 2022, with expanded facilities for trolleys, shelving, charcoal ovens and Gastronorm containers. The company also opened Pujadas Lab, a professional demonstration and training facility featuring a showcooking kitchen and a showroom exceeding 440 m² 12. Additionally, a robotised Gastronorm production line was installed to enhance manufacturing efficiency 13.

2023: Vollrath International

The establishment of Vollrath International in 2023 created a worldwide management and distribution structure, further integrating Pujadas into the parent company’s global organisation 14.

Product portfolio

Pujadas operates as a full-line professional foodservice equipment supplier. Its current product range includes:

Cookware

Cookware remains a fundamental category, reflecting the company’s historical roots in metal manufacturing. Products include professional pots, pans, fry pans, saucepans, stockpots, roasting pans, oven pans and specialty cookware 15.

Kitchen utensils

The company manufactures a wide range of professional kitchen tools designed for commercial food preparation environments.

Gastronorm containers

Gastronorm (GN) containers are a major category within the portfolio, used extensively for food preparation, cooking, storage, refrigeration, buffet service and transport. Pujadas has invested in automated production for this segment, underscoring its strategic importance 16.

Pastry and ice-cream equipment

Maintaining a link to its original heritage, the portfolio includes utensils specifically designed for ice-cream and pastry applications 17.

Food delivery equipment

Equipment and containers for food transport and delivery address the logistical requirements of modern foodservice operations.

Dishwasher racks

The supply of dishwasher racks allows the company to address back-of-house operational needs beyond cooking.

Trolleys

Professional service and transport trolleys cater to hotels, catering operations, buffets and institutional foodservice environments.

Shelving

Professional storage and shelving systems are supplied for commercial kitchens and hospitality venues.

Cooking equipment

Beyond traditional cookware, the company offers professional cooking equipment, including Pujadas Grill charcoal ovens and open-grill solutions 18.

Buffet and table-service equipment

The portfolio extends to buffet equipment, serving accessories, table-service products and melamine items, supporting its positioning as a complete foodservice supplier 19.

Target market

Pujadas operates primarily in the professional foodservice market, commonly referred to as HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants and Catering). Its industry coverage encompasses restaurants, hotels, catering and events, restaurant chains, quick-service restaurants, bars, cafés, institutions, cruise ships, theme parks, grocerants and pastry businesses 20.

As a B2B professional-kitchen brand, Pujadas designs products around commercial requirements such as high-frequency use, durability, production efficiency, standardisation, cleaning protocols, storage optimisation, food safety, workflow integration, energy efficiency and total cost of ownership. The company states that its products aim to improve profitability through energy efficiency, durability and food waste reduction 21.

Manufacturing philosophy

Pujadas identifies fundamentally as a manufacturer, controlling production from design through to fabrication to ensure quality, precision and reliability 22. This industrial heritage is particularly relevant for cookware and GN containers, where metal-forming expertise directly influences shape consistency, material thickness, heat distribution, dimensional accuracy and product compatibility. This manufacturing orientation distinguishes Pujadas from brands that primarily source finished goods from third parties.

Brand philosophy

Quality

Recognising that professional kitchens impose greater demands than domestic environments, the company prioritises durability and consistent quality.

Continuous improvement

Continuous improvement is cited as a core element of organisational culture 23.

Innovation

Innovation is approached as a means of solving practical problems in professional kitchens rather than technology for its own sake.

Efficiency

Energy and operational efficiency are central themes in product development.

Durability

Given the intensive daily usage of professional equipment, durability is a primary value proposition.

Mediterranean heritage

The company describes its identity as having a Mediterranean essence, reflecting its Catalan origins between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea, associating this environment with gastronomy and culinary culture 24.

Relationship with The Vollrath Company

The integration with The Vollrath Company is central to the current corporate structure. Vollrath, an American family-owned company founded in 1874, operates globally across foodservice equipment and related manufacturing 25. Since joining the group in 2015 26, Pujadas has functioned as a Spanish professional-foodservice manufacturer within a global organisation, retaining its distinct brand identity while leveraging international resources.

International presence

Pujadas reports a presence in more than 80 countries, serving both individual hospitality businesses and large chains 27. Internationalisation began during the 1960s and 1970s, and current global reach is supported by Vollrath’s distribution infrastructure.

Facilities and industrial development

The principal facility is located at Ctra. de Castanyet, 132, 17430 Santa Coloma de Farners, Girona, Spain. Originally established in 1999 with over 20,000 m², current facilities exceed 25,000 m² 28. Recent investments include robotised GN production, expanded trolley and shelving manufacturing, charcoal-oven production, and the Pujadas Lab demonstration centre 29. These developments position the company as a technology-driven professional foodservice manufacturer.

Pujadas Lab

Introduced in 2022, Pujadas Lab combines a professional kitchen, showcooking facilities, product demonstration areas, training spaces and a showroom exceeding 440 m² 29. This facility enables customers to evaluate equipment in an environment resembling an actual commercial kitchen.

Pujadas Grill

Launched in 2020, Pujadas Grill focuses on charcoal ovens and open-grill live-fire cooking 30. This range connects the brand to restaurant concept design and contemporary culinary trends, particularly those emphasising charcoal cooking, grilling, steak and Mediterranean cuisine.

Product architecture

The current product organisation encompasses several broad families 31:

  • Pujadas Grill: Charcoal ovens and open grills
  • Cookware: Pots, pans and professional cooking vessels
  • Fry Pans
  • Oven & Roast Pans
  • Kitchen Utensils
  • Ice Cream & Pastry Utensils
  • Gastronorm Containers
  • Food Delivery
  • Dishwasher Racks
  • Trolleys
  • Shelving
  • Cooking Equipment
  • Melamine
  • Buffet & Accessories
  • Table Service

Brand identity

Pujadas combines three distinct identities: a Spanish manufacturing heritage rooted in Catalonia; professional cookware expertise derived from its historical core; and an international foodservice profile enhanced by Vollrath ownership and global presence. The brand can be characterised as a century-old Spanish professional-kitchen manufacturer that has evolved into a global, full-line foodservice equipment supplier 32.

Major milestones

Year Milestone
1921 Miquel Pujadas establishes the company in Manlleu
1940 Product manufacturing diversified
1960s–70s Specialisation in cookware and metal forming; internationalisation begins
1999 Manufacturing and warehouse facility opened in Santa Coloma de Farners
2015 Pujadas becomes part of The Vollrath Company
2020 Pujadas Grill charcoal ovens introduced
2021 100th anniversary
2022 Facilities expanded; Pujadas Lab opened; automated GN production introduced
2023 Vollrath International established
2026 Continues as a global professional foodservice brand with broad equipment portfolio

Historical milestones are based primarily on corporate records 32.

Market positioning

Pujadas is best understood as a professional foodservice equipment manufacturer with a century-long Spanish manufacturing heritage. From its 1921 origins producing metalwork and pastry utensils in Manlleu, it gradually specialised in cookware, expanded internationally, and established its main manufacturing base in Santa Coloma de Farners in 1999. The 2015 integration into The Vollrath Company transformed its international scale 33.

Today, the portfolio spans cookware, GN containers, kitchen utensils, food-delivery equipment, dishwasher racks, trolleys, shelving, cooking equipment, charcoal ovens, buffet equipment and table-service products. For stakeholders in the professional kitchen equipment market, particularly within Europe and the wider HORECA sector, Pujadas represents a significant brand combining Spanish manufacturing heritage, professional cookware expertise and comprehensive foodservice infrastructure.

References

This profile was compiled with AI assistance and reviewed before publishing. How we use AI

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