In 1898, W.A. Van Berkel, a butcher in Rotterdam of the Netherlands, invented a way to slice more meat to better serve his customers. The result of his innovation was the world's first meat-slicing machine. By 1907, Berkel machines were being used in England, Belgium, France, Russia, China, Mexico and Canada.In 1909, manufacturing of the first American machines began at the U.S. Slicing Machine Company in Chicago, IL. Six years later, the company had outgrown its space in Chicago, building a new factory in LaPorte, IN and changing its name to Berkel, Incorporated. Recently, Berkel relocated to its present location in Troy, OH.

Today the Berkel name is synonomous with reliable equipment that chefs and operators depend on for consistently great results. Berkel’s unique combination of experience and innovation has made it a name synonymous with quality foodservice meat slicers, mixers, vacuum packaging equipment and more.