Chicago Metallic

Chicago Metallic has functioned as a premier global authority in the design and manufacture of commercial bakeware since its founding in 1898. Originally established as a general metal fabrication company in Chicago, the brand underwent a significant strategic transition in 2005 when its high-volume commercial division was acquired by Bundy Baking Solutions. Based in Urbana, Ohio, under the Bundy umbrella, Chicago Metallic serves as a primary infrastructure provider for industrial bakeries, restaurant chains, and foodservice operations worldwide. By 2026, the company has maintained its status as a leader in the segment, continuing to innovate in metallurgy and release-coating technology.

A critical component of the brand's North American operations is its significant footprint in Brantford, Ontario. Operating as CMBB Bakeware Canada Inc. and Pan-Glo Canada Pan Coatings Inc., the brand maintains a major manufacturing, distribution, and refurbishment hub located at 84 Easton Road in Brantford. This facility serves as the central nervous system for Chicago Metallic’s Canadian operations, housing a massive inventory of over 300 different pan styles ready for immediate shipment across the country. The Brantford site ensures that Canadian foodservice operators have local access to standardized equipment and technical support, bypassing the logistical delays often associated with trans-border shipping.

The brand's technical identity is anchored by its mastery of metallurgy and proprietary coating technologies. A defining engineering hallmark is the use of heavy-gauge aluminized steel, which combines the structural strength and corrosion resistance of steel with the superior thermal conductivity of an aluminum-silicon alloy. This material ensures rapid, uniform heat transfer essential for consistent crust development. Furthermore, Chicago Metallic is recognized for its StayFlat technology, which addresses pan warping through reinforced sidewalls and an engineered horizontal rib that increases tensile strength, ensuring the pans remain flat and functional through thousands of high-heat cycles.

Innovation within the Chicago Metallic portfolio is heavily focused on operational throughput and food safety. Their primary release agent, AMERICOAT ePlus, is a PFOA-free silicone glaze that provides significantly more releases than standard coatings, reducing the need for parchment paper or topical oils. The product architecture is categorized into specialized high-performance lines:

• Sheet Pans: Including the StayFlat series and NSF-certified pans featuring completely enclosed rims to eliminate debris traps.
• Pizza Solutions: The EXACT STACK series for deep-dish operations and the BĀKALON line, which utilizes high-strength anodized aluminum.
• Bread and Bun Systems: Featuring Uni-Lock technology for baguette pans, which provides a fastener-free connection between the frame and panel to ensure mechanical longevity in automated conveyor systems.
• ePAN Series: An energy-efficient line that utilizes thinner, high-tensile-strength steel to reduce weight and speed up heating and cooling cycles.

The strategic value of Chicago Metallic lies in its vertically integrated "circular" service model. Through its Pan Glo division in Brantford and other regional locations, the company provides a comprehensive refurbishment and recoating network. This allows bakeries to send in used equipment to be professionally cleaned, straightened, and recoated with AMERICOAT, significantly extending the lifecycle of the assets and lowering the total cost of ownership. This combination of century-old engineering heritage and a robust local presence in Brantford makes Chicago Metallic a foundational partner for the Canadian and global baking industries.