RATIONAL Expands iVario Production Facility in Wittenheim, France

On May 5, 2026, RATIONAL celebrated the grand opening of its expanded production facility in Wittenheim, France. This expansion, named the "RATIONAL iVario Business Centre," doubles its previous production area and significantly increases the manufacturing capacity of their iVario Pro system. Additionally, the center includes state-of-the-art workspaces and a spacious Customer Experience Center, aimed at enhancing collaboration with customers and partners.

RATIONAL has been developing and producing iVario Pro and its predecessor models at the Wittenheim plant for over two decades. From this site, the company has successfully supplied innovative cooking systems and accessories to over 120 countries worldwide. In 2005, around 500 cooking units were produced, a figure projected to exceed 10,000 by 2025. "The establishment of this new plant serves as a crucial foundation for satisfying the surging global demand in the long term," remarked Thomas Hock, Chief Product Officer for iVario. The new facility is set to enable an annual production capacity of up to 25,000 units and is designed to accommodate an expansion to over 75,000 units in the future.

The iVario Pro, alongside the steam convection oven iCombi Pro, represents one of RATIONAL's core technologies, leading the global market. While iCombi Pro and iHexagon are manufactured at the company's headquarters in Landsberg, the Wittenheim facility specializes exclusively in the iVario Pro. The new factory, which represents an investment of €35 million, underscores the growing strategic importance of iVario Pro, cementing the structural foundation essential for meeting rising demand.

With the expansion, the Wittenheim facility now offers an integrated value chain, encompassing market and customer development, production, and global shipments of iVario products. In addition to the approximately 10,000 square meters of production area, the new building features a spacious Customer Experience Center equipped with three training centers. These spaces will host cooking demonstrations, product training, and events for clients and partners. Moreover, the facility has been furnished with a modern cafeteria and an ergonomic office space of around 1,500 square meters, fostering a comfortable work environment. The Wittenheim location is also home to RATIONAL's French sales subsidiary, employing around 270 individuals from 11 different countries, reflecting the company's international operational nature.

In this new facility, RATIONAL placed special emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainable architectural design. A thermally optimized frame structure has been adopted to ensure operational efficiency. A heat pump system provides heating and cooling, while an intelligent LED lighting control system adjusts according to natural light, further reducing energy consumption. The facility also incorporates a solar power system designed to supply up to 25% of its annual electricity needs.

According to Hock, "This new plant represents a significant milestone for the Wittenheim team. It will create a more conducive working environment and emphasize the importance of the iVario within RATIONAL's product portfolio. Furthermore, it lays the groundwork for continuing to provide the best solutions to chefs and commercial kitchens worldwide."

For more information about RATIONAL’s iVario Pro and its sustainability efforts, please visit:

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About RATIONAL:
The RATIONAL Group is a premier technology leader in the field of commercial kitchen heating and cooking solutions, established in 1973. With over 2,700 employees, more than 1,500 of whom work in Germany, RATIONAL has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2000. The company is part of the MDAX index and is dedicated to providing customers with maximum benefit while adhering to sustainability principles, encompassing environmental protection, leadership, and corporate social responsibility. RATIONAL is recognized annually with numerous international awards for its high standards and achievements.