The Heat and Control family celebrated a special milestone on June 1, 2021, with the 100^th birthday of their founder, Andrew (Andy) Caridis. Known as a family-oriented business owner, creative problem solver, and trailblazer in the industrial food production community, the Hayward, CA team gathered for the first time in over 15 months to wish Andy a very happy birthday, enjoy the pre-summer weather, and begin a new chapter.

Andy began his career in engineering in the early 1950’s when industrial consumer goods manufacturers began investing in new ideas and technologies around the automation of food production to make better products, increase volume, improve efficiencies, create new product categories, and reach new markets. Credited with or supervising over 130 patents over the course of 70 years, Andy has been integral in advancing the food sector of the global manufacturing industry and helped companies large and small grow, adapt, and improve significantly. Advancements in the production of French fries, snack foods, and prepared foods can be directly connected to Andy’s creativity and passion to continually create something better and to always put product quality first. Andy continues to be passionate about solving problems and finding better ways of doing things, and to this day is involved in R&D projects and supports various engineering teams within the company.

“Today 100 years ago Andy was born in San Francisco during the Great Depression. He joined the military and represented his country in World War II. At the age of 30, he joined with his buddies to create Heat and Control. That was 70 years ago and today there is almost 1700 people contributing to the success of the company. This success is based on Andy’s hard work and ability to see the future and do the right thing,” said Tony Caridis, president.

When it comes to celebrating his achievements, Andy replies with his characteristic boldness and humor, “The first 100 years was practice; the next 100 years is the real thing.”