Oct 27th, 2025 Yehudah Sunshine
Champion Industries: 130+ Years of Dishwashing Excellence
Behind every spotless plate, every gleaming glass, and every sanitized utensil lies a hidden battlefield where grease, grime, and bacteria wage war against the forces of cleanliness. In this critical arena, where a single misstep can shut down an entire restaurant or trigger a health department nightmare, one company has stood as the undisputed champion for over 130 years. Champion Industries didn’t just enter the dishwashing business—they created it, perfected it, and continue to defend their title as “The Dishwashing Machine Specialists.”
From installing equipment in New York’s legendary Waldorf Astoria to engineering systems that process 20,000 dishes per hour in today’s mega-kitchens, Champion has turned the humble dishwasher into a precision instrument of operational success. While other manufacturers treat warewashing as an afterthought, Champion has made it their life’s work, building machines so reliable they earned the tagline “Built Like a Battleship.”
Table of Contents
- Champion Industries Brand History
- Major Product Lines
- Major Innovations Driven by Champion
- How Does Champion Separate Itself from the Competition?
- Conclusion
1. Champion Industries Brand History
The Champion Industries story represents one of the most focused and enduring specializations in commercial foodservice equipment manufacturing.
Historical Timeline
1890s – New York City Foundation
Champion Industries was founded in the 1890s with its first factory site located where the iconic Chrysler building stands today in New York City. The company established its reputation for durability early on, coining the tagline “Built Like a Battleship” because the equipment was strong, heavy and durable.
Early 1900s – Prestigious Installations
The budding company achieved recognition by installing equipment in what was considered the finest hotel in New York City, the Waldorf Astoria. This prestigious installation established Champion’s credentials for serving the most demanding hospitality operations and demonstrated their commitment to quality from the very beginning.
1931 – Strategic Relocation to Pennsylvania
Under the leadership of Davis, the company moved to Erie, Pennsylvania, after turning down Jamestown, New York, as a potential location. This strategic relocation positioned Champion closer to manufacturing centers and improved their distribution capabilities across the growing American market.
1952-1967 – Family Ownership Transition
In 1952, Pat Davis, Sr., retired and gave his two sons, Pat Davis, Jr., and Robert A. Davis, 25 percent stake each in the company while retaining his 50 percent. When Pat Davis, Sr., died in 1967, he left his 50 percent stake to his oldest son, Pat, Jr. In the same year, Pat and Gordon sold the company to American Sterilizer (AMSCO) in Erie, Pennsylvania.
1967-1980 – AMSCO Ownership Era
Having heard of Champion when the company was located in Erie, AMSCO bought Champion to partner in building hospital utensil sanitizers, expanding Champion’s reach into healthcare applications. AMSCO owned Champion until 1980, during which time the company maintained its focus on commercial warewashing while exploring institutional markets.
1980 – Luciano Berti Acquisition and Innovation Focu
In 1980, Luciano Berti bought the company and made significant investments in upgrading Champion’s infrastructure and expanding its product line. Unlike previous ownership, Mr. Berti invested heavily in innovation, leading the market with breakthroughs in built-in hot water boosters, water and energy-saving technology, completely integrated conveying, washing and waste handling systems, and single source gas heating systems.
1990s-2000s – Ali Group Integration and Global Expansion
Champion became part of the Ali Group of Foodservice Companies, providing worldwide reach while maintaining its Winston-Salem, North Carolina headquarters. This integration gave Champion access to global markets including Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, establishing it as a major international supplier of commercial dishwashing equipment.
Present Day – Technological Leadership
Today, Champion has mastered application and installation requirements for dishwashers, from the smallest glasswasher to the most complex flight machine capable of efficiently cleaning and sanitizing 20,000 wares per hour. The company has ENERGY STAR® qualified dish machines in all categories and continues to lead through integration with Bi-line Conveyor Systems and TRISYS waste equipment.
2. Major Product Lines
Champion’s specialized portfolio addresses every aspect of commercial warewashing through comprehensive equipment lines designed for specific operational needs. The following chart illustrates how Champion’s product lines deliver maximum value to different foodservice sectors:
Champion Product Lines by Foodservice Sector
| Product Line | Key Models | Optimal Foodservice Sectors | Key Value Proposition |
| Undercounter Dishwashers | UH130B, UH230B | Small Restaurants, Cafes, Bars | Space efficiency, quiet operation, 25-40 racks/hour |
| Door Type Dishwashers | DL-2000, DH-6000 Series | Mid-size Restaurants, Institutional | Versatility, energy efficiency, 40+ racks/hour |
| Rack Conveyor Systems | 44 PRO, 64 PRO, 80 PRO-HD | Large Restaurants, Hotels, Cafeterias | High-volume capacity, continuous operation, efficiency |
| Flight Type Machines | 110 FFPW, E-Series | High-Volume Institutional, Stadiums | Maximum throughput, 20,000+ dishes/hour, automation |
| Glasswashers | Specialized Bar Units | Bars, Nightclubs, Hotels | Gentle cleaning, quick cycles, cool glassware |
| Pot & Pan Washers | Heavy-Duty Series | Full-Service Kitchens, Institutions | Powerful cleaning, large capacity, durability |
| TRISYS Waste Systems | Pulper Systems | All High-Volume Operations | Waste reduction, environmental compliance, efficiency |
| Bi-Line Conveyors | Stainless Steel Systems | Institutional, Healthcare, Schools | Seamless integration, ware handling, workflow optimization |
Featured Product Categories
High-Volume Conveyor Systems – PRO Series
Champion’s PRO Series conveyor dishwashers represent the pinnacle of high-volume warewashing technology, featuring single-piece hood design, Prodigy series HMI user interface, and Proactive maintenance software for optimal performance and reliability.
Champion 64 PRO Two-Tank Rack Conveyor Dishwasher
Compact Undercounter Solutions – UH Series
Champion’s undercounter dishwashers provide powerful cleaning performance in space-constrained environments, featuring built-in booster heaters, digital thermometers, and door safety switches for reliable operation in smaller foodservice operations.
Champion UH130B High Temperature Undercounter Dishwasher – 208-240 Volts
Mid-Volume Door Type Systems – DL Series
Champion’s door type dishwashers offer versatility and efficiency for mid-volume operations, featuring low-temperature sanitizing options, pumped drain operation, and stainless steel construction for long-term reliability.
Champion DL-2000 Low Temp Door Type Dishwasher
Heavy-Duty Conveyor Systems – PRO-HD Series
Champion’s PRO-HD series delivers maximum durability and capacity for the most demanding commercial applications, featuring enhanced construction and advanced control systems for continuous high-volume operation.
Champion 80 PRO-HD Single Tank Rack Conveyor Dishwasher
Ultra High-Volume Flight Systems – E-Series
Champion’s E-Series flight machines provide the ultimate in warewashing capacity, capable of handling institutional-level volume with advanced automation and energy-saving features for maximum operational efficiency.
Comprehensive Parts and Service Solutions
Champion’s extensive parts and service network ensures optimal equipment performance through readily available components, expert technical support, and rapid response times that minimize downtime and maximize operational efficiency.
Champion Dishwasher Parts and Accessories Collection
3. Major Innovations Driven by Champion
Throughout its 130+ year history, Champion has consistently pioneered breakthrough technologies that have revolutionized commercial warewashing. Their focused innovations address critical operational challenges including energy efficiency, automation, and operational reliability:
Built-In Hot Water Booster Technology
Champion led the market with integrated hot water boosters, eliminating separate booster heater installations and simplifying equipment requirements while improving energy efficiency across their entire product line.
ENERGY STAR® Leadership Across All Categories
Champion developed ENERGY STAR® qualified dish machines in all categories, providing operators with utility rebates, environmental compliance, and operational cost savings while meeting green building standards.
Electronic Sensor Technology for Energy Management
Champion Flight Machines feature electronic sensors that provide massive energy savings by automatically shutting down pumps during idle periods while maintaining readiness for peak loads, significantly reducing operational costs.
Integrated Conveying and Waste Handling Systems
Champion revolutionized operations by developing completely integrated systems combining conveying, washing, and waste handling into seamless workflows, dramatically improving efficiency and reducing labor requirements.
Proactive Maintenance Software Systems
Champion developed predictive maintenance software that monitors equipment performance and predicts service needs before problems occur, minimizing unexpected downtime and extending equipment life through optimized maintenance scheduling.
Strategic Marketplace Advantage Through Warewashing Specialization
Champion’s exclusive focus on warewashing technology creates unmatched competitive advantages that generalist equipment manufacturers cannot replicate. Their 130+ years of specialized experience enables Champion to understand the nuances of different warewashing challenges—from delicate glassware requiring gentle cycles to heavy-duty pot and pan cleaning demanding maximum power.
This specialization allows Champion to offer customized solutions for every foodservice segment, from compact undercounter units for space-constrained operations to massive flight systems capable of handling 20,000 dishes per hour.
5. How Does Champion Separate Itself from the Competition?
Champion’s competitive advantages stem from their singular focus on warewashing excellence and 130+ years of specialized expertise that broad-line equipment manufacturers cannot match:
Unparalleled Warewashing Specialization
While competitors diversify across multiple equipment categories, Champion’s exclusive focus enables them to perfect every aspect of warewashing technology, from the smallest glasswasher to systems handling 20,000+ dishes per hour.
Comprehensive Product Range Across All Applications
Champion has perfected every single application and installation requirement for dishwashers, offering solutions from undercounters to doors, racks, flights, conveyor systems, accumulators, disposal, and drying systems. This comprehensive coverage means operators can source all warewashing needs from a single specialist rather than coordinating multiple vendors.
ENERGY STAR® Leadership Across All Categories
Champion has ENERGY STAR® qualified dish machines in all categories, providing operators with utility rebates, environmental compliance, and operational cost savings that competitors with limited energy-efficient options cannot match. This comprehensive energy efficiency leadership demonstrates Champion’s commitment to sustainability across their entire product line.
Integrated Warewashing Ecosystem Approach
Champion Industries and Bi-line Conveyor Systems combine to provide a truly integrated approach to warewashing, ware handling and waste reduction solutions. This ecosystem approach enables seamless workflow optimization that competitors offering standalone equipment cannot achieve, resulting in superior operational efficiency and reduced labor costs.
Advanced Technology Integration
Champion’s Prodigy series HMI user interfaces, Proactive maintenance software, and electronic sensor technology represent cutting-edge innovation specifically designed for warewashing applications. These specialized technologies provide operational advantages that general equipment manufacturers developing technology for multiple applications cannot match in terms of warewashing-specific optimization.
Global Reach with Specialized Support
Although Champion is based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, its international operations and affiliation as part of the Ali Group of Foodservice Companies provides worldwide reach with specialized warewashing expertise. This global presence ensures consistent support and parts availability that smaller specialized competitors cannot provide.
Customization Capabilities for All Operation Sizes
Champion’s ability to customize products makes them the preferred brand for foodservice operations of all sizes—from coffeehouses and restaurants to hospitals, schools and other institutions. This customization expertise, built over 130+ years of specialized experience, enables solutions that off-the-shelf competitors cannot provide.
Proven Heritage with Premium Installations
From the historic Waldorf Astoria installation to today’s most demanding foodservice operations, Champion’s heritage of serving premium accounts demonstrates reliability and performance that newer competitors lack. This proven track record provides confidence for operators making critical warewashing equipment investments.
6. Conclusion
Champion Industries represents 130+ years of warewashing excellence that transformed commercial dishwashing into a competitive advantage. From their “Built Like a Battleship” origins to today’s “Dishwashing Machine Specialists,” Champion Industries’ focus provides expertise that generalist manufacturers cannot match.
As foodservice operations face increasing efficiency and compliance demands, Champion’s ENERGY STAR® qualified machines and predictive technology ensure they remain the trusted partner for critical back-of-house operations.
Ready to experience the Champion difference in your commercial warewashing operations? Explore the complete selection of Champion dishwashing equipment at Culinary Depot and discover why generations of foodservice professionals have trusted Champion to deliver exceptional warewashing results.
For more information about Champion Industries and their complete warewashing solutions, visit www.championindustries.com.