Innovation Drivers of the Hospitality Industry
Interview with Salvatore Russo, Managing Director of UNOX Deutschland GmbH
Technological innovations are shaping the hospitality industry like never before. From intelligent cooking systems to sustainable solutions – the sector is evolving rapidly. UNOX S.P.A., based in Padua, is a driving force of innovation in this field. Its subsidiary, UNOX Deutschland GmbH, has been focusing on digitalization, sustainability, and efficiency in the development of new products since 2015. The result are products that offer effective solutions to the food service market.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Russo, you have been the Managing Director of UNOX Deutschland GmbH since 2021. How has your career led you to this point?
Salvatore Russo: My career path started traditionally in gastronomy. I worked as a chef for many years and operated several of my own restaurants. After more than 16 years of self-employment, I was looking for a new challenge and switched to the field of gastronomy equipment. There, I was able to gain valuable experience in the B2B sector. After ten successful years at a large Swiss producer of food presentation, I had the opportunity to switch to UNOX in 2021. It was a chance to strengthen the brand in Germany and at the same time to further develop the industry with innovative solutions.
Wirtschaftsforum: What do you think makes UNOX so successful?
Salvatore Russo: UNOX produces almost everything in-house, achieving an impressive depth of production of 96%, which results in a remarkable independence from suppliers. While other manufacturers were dependent on deliveries from Asia during the pandemic, we were able to achieve growth of nearly 40%.
As a family-run business, we also pride ourselves on our flexibility and the ability to quickly respond to market changes.
Wirtschaftsforum: What technological innovations is UNOX currently offering?
Salvatore Russo: I would particularly like to highlight our ‘Optic Cooking’ system, which is based on artificial intelligence. It detects the load and automatically starts the appropriate cooking program. The X-Series, which can be equipped with this technology, learns with each input and continuously optimizes the cooking processes.
Another highlight is our ‘Speed-X’, the world’s first fast-cooking system that combines microwave technology with classic combi-steamer technology. Additionally, we have developed a revolutionary system called EVEREO® that can store food at 58 to 62 °C for several days without any organoleptic changes occurring in the food.
Wirtschaftsforum: How does UNOX integrate sustainability into its corporate strategy?
Salvatore Russo: Sustainability is essential for us. Our goal is to produce CO₂-neutral by 2030. We already operate solar farms with a capacity of 3.2 MW, and by 2024 we covered 90% of our production power requirements from solar energy. With our new facility UNOX City in Italy, we are adopting state-of-the-art, emission-free production plants. At the same time, we place great importance on the energy efficiency of our products – 90% of our ovens are already awarded the Energy Star certification.
Wirtschaftsforum: What does digitalization look like at UNOX?
Salvatore Russo: Digitalization is an integral part of our strategy. Our ovens are connected and provide our customers with direct access to our support. For example, technicians can diagnose and fix issues remotely, significantly increasing efficiency. With a team of 70 IT specialists in Italy, we can flexibly respond to individual customer needs and implement them quickly.
Wirtschaftsforum: What are UNOX's plans for the coming years?
Salvatore Russo: We are continuously working on expanding our global presence. Currently, we are present in 150 countries and operate 50 own branches. In 2025, we will open a new plant in the USA to serve the North American market. Our investments in infrastructure and innovation are meant to ensure that we provide the best solutions to our customers worldwide.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you want to remain successful in the long term?
Salvatore Russo: Our philosophy is always to be one step ahead. We focus on innovation and sustainability without losing sight of human expertise. Our technology is meant to support the craft, not replace it. We believe that this combination of efficiency, sustainability, and humanity is the key to long-term success. We see ourselves as innovators driving the food service industry through technology and sustainability. At the same time, we want to help our customers increase their efficiency and reduce their food waste. Our vision is to offer not just products, but solutions that create real added value – for customers, the environment, and the entire industry.