• 1946 - Foster Refrigerator Corporation is launched in New York by Larry H. Foster
• 1968 - Foster opened factory in the UK (King’s Lynn)
• 1970 - Plant 1 of King's Lynn site is extended
• 1977 - Coldroom panel factory opened
• 1978 - Foster opens branches in Epinay sur Seine, France and Frankfurt, Germany
• 1980 - Foster wins coveted CEMA Export Award
• 1985 - The new 'Gastronorm 90' range wins Caterer & Hotelkeeper's "Most Innovative New Product Award"
• 1991 - Finished goods warehouse and training centre opened at King's Lynn
• 1994 - Royal Warrant granted to Foster
• 1999 - Foster purchased by Illinois Tool Works (ITW) as part of a $3.5 bn acquisition
• 2000 - Following £6million factory investment 'Premier' cabinets launched
• 2001 - 'Premier' counters launched
• 2008 - New environmentally friendly & energy efficient Gastro Eco Pro Cabinet & Counter ranges launched
• 2008 - Awarded prestigious FCSI 'Green Award'
• 2010 - Awarded the National EEF Climate Change Opportunity Manufacturing Award
• 2011 - Crowned National Winner of Winners at the EEF Future Manufacturing Awards, seeing off competition from the likes of Carl Zeiss, Rolls Royce and Siemens

Foster Firsts...

• First manufacturer to produce a commercial refrigerator in the UK
• First pioneer of blast chilling and blast freezing in commercial catering
• First to promote aluminium & stainless steel refrigerators
• First ISO9001 manufacturer in the commercial refrigeration industry
• First ISO14001 manufacturer in the commercial refrigeration industry
• First fully CFC-free manufacturer of commercial refrigeration
• First and only refrigeration manufacturer to hold The Royal Warrant of Appointment
• First commercial refrigeration company to introduce Hydrocarbon technology
• First refrigeration manufacturer on the ECA (Enhanced Capital Allowance) scheme
• First and only commercial refrigeration company to attain the Carbon Trust Standard

The original Foster Refrigerator logo

The original Foster Plant 1 site in 1972

The Arrow Line was the first commercial refrigerator in the UK

Foster pioneered blast chillers and freezers in the commercial catering industry

An early example of best in class refrigerated counters

The first Foster Gastronorm refrigerator

The Queen Mother visits Foster at Hotelympia 1986

Princess Diana visiting the Foster stand in 1990

Foster through the ages (left to right: Premier, Gastronorm Supra, Gastronorm '90, Arrow Line)