ITW Food Equipment Group Introduces "Total Kitchen Solutions" Project & Design Team

GLENVIEW, Illinois (November 5, 2025) – ITW Food Equipment Group is pleased to announce that effective January 2026, it will introduce its new ITW Total Kitchen Solutions Project & Design Team to support foodservice consultants and specifier partners. Dan Montgomery, previously director of Design & Project Business at Vulcan, Laura Gutkowski, previously director of marketing at Traulsen, and Shayne Varnum, previously director, Consultant Services & Government Sales for the ITW Food Equipment Group will each serve the role of director, Design & Consultant Support. Montgomery will cover the Western U.S.; Gutkowski will be responsible for the Central U.S.; and Varnum will cover the Eastern U.S. 

Combined, this team has nearly 100 years of experience in the food service equipment industry, supporting kitchen designers and specifiers. Together, they will represent the complete portfolio of brands and product categories across ITW Food Equipment Group — including Hobart, Vulcan, Traulsen, Baxter and Gaylord — to deliver a total kitchen solution, from food preparation and refrigeration to cooking and baking to dishwashing and food waste management.

“We are excited to announce this strategic organizational change and are confident in the ability of this team to build deep engagement and strong relationships with our consultants and dealer designers,” said Gary Simpson, senior VP of U.S. Sales for ITW Food Equipment Group. “Throughout their dedicated regions, these directors will work closely with our partners to provide the tools needed to quickly and confidently make critical decisions related to equipment selection and specification spanning the entire kitchen and dishroom.” 

The ITW Total Kitchen Solutions Project & Design Team goal is to help foodservice consultants and specifiers become more efficient and more profitable through access to a complete offering of equipment, technology and support, while empowering them to provide the best recommendations for their customers. 

About ITW Food Equipment Group
ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works, is the brand behind the brands found in commercial kitchens, cafeterias, bakeries, delis and groceries around the world. An ENERGY STAR^® Partner of the Year since 2008, ITW Food Equipment Group embodies a family of premium brands including Hobart, Traulsen, Baxter, Vulcan, Wolf, Berkel, Stero, Somat, Gaylord and Kairak—covering the core needs of commercial kitchens, from food preparation and refrigeration to cooking, baking and ventilation to weighing and wrapping to dishwashing and waste disposal. Backed by our nationwide network of factory-trained service technicians, we’re always nearby to install, maintain and service your equipment. Explore ITW Food Equipment Group by visiting Itwfoodequipment.com.

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Monica DeBrot
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