In 1973, Siegfried Meister founded the company now known as RATIONAL AG – a company that places particular emphasis on staff leadership. RATIONAL was his life's work. For 44 years, he led it to success while remaining true to his principle of emphasizing customer benefit. The values Mr. Meister embodied are firmly anchored in company culture to this day.
Company history.
Exceptionally successful.
Maximum possible customer benefit: the goal we've been pursuing for over 50 years. It all started with the idea of combining steam and hot air into a single appliance. We developed our first combi oven in 1976, and we've been working tirelessly to improve it ever since.
Company founder, idea man, visionary.
“In this day and age, a company has a right to exist if it does its job, and that job is to benefit customers. The quality of that benefit determines whether the company succeeds or fails."
Siegfried Meister, founder of RATIONAL.
Milestones in an exceptional company history.
2025
RATIONAL has been publicly traded for 25 years.
2024
Further development of ConnectedCooking: RATIONAL‘s Digital Service Manager and Digital Service Management connect technicians and customers digitally. Problems can now be fixed more quickly than ever.
2024
The iHexagon - the first appliance to combine heat, steam, and microwave energy on all six racks - is launched in Germany, the UK, and the US, with a major keynote address to mark the occasion.
2023
RATIONAL turns 50 and has every reason to celebrate: Specializing in thermal food preparation has turned a great idea into a global company.
2023
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new production and development center in Shuzou, China, takes place in July. This underscores RATIONAL’s global presence.
2020
Introduction of the iCombi Pro and iVario cooking systems, which plan intelligently, work together, and respond flexibly. The new iCombi Classic is perfect for skilled chefs looking for reliable technology to help them with day-to-day challenges.
2019
Fitted with a golden rotary dial and a golden name, the 1,000,000th combi oven leaves the factory, bound for Hofbräuhaus Munich.
2018
FRIMA becomes RATIONAL: The VarioCookingCenter® is now sold under the RATIONAL brand.
2017
Production of the 400,000th SelfCookingCenter®.
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2017
ConnectedCooking, the digital platform for RATIONAL appliances, is launched - a testament to the global market leader‘s innovative power.
2016
Even small quantities can be prepared flexibly: The VarioCookingCenter(R) 112L makes it possible.
2016
Invention of the SelfCookingCenter®. Invention of the SelfCookingCenter® XS.
2014
Introduction of the VarioCookingCenter® 112T: all the power of its bigger brother, but with two pans, it‘s even more flexible.
2014
Invention of the SelfCookingCenter® 5 Senses: for cooks, the intelligent combi oven is like having an extra employee.
2013
Company anniversary – 40 years of RATIONAL.
2011
Invention of the SelfCookingCenter® whitefficiency®.
2011
Production of the 500,000th combi oven: a milestone in the company’s history.
2008
Third and largest factory opened at the Landsberg site.
2007
Production of the 250,000th combi oven.
2006
Foundation of Academy RATIONAL: a high-level opportunity for continuing culinary education.
2006
RATIONAL‘s workforce exceeds 1,000 employees, a testament to its international success.
2006
Worldwide launch of Club RATIONAL, where chefs can meet to share recipes and ideas while calling upon RATIONAL’s expertise.
2005
RATIONAL subsidiary FRIMA develops the world’s first VarioCookingCenter®.
2004
Invention of the world’s first SelfCookingCenter®.
2000
Going public: RATIONAL becomes RATIONAL AG.
1997
Invention of the RATIONAL ClimaPlus Combi® - the first combi oven with product-specific cooking cabinet climate control down to the exact percentage.
1996
Production of the 100,000th combi oven – the idea is officially a success.
1992
Acquisition of FRIMA – RATIONAL‘s French sales partner becomes its subsidiary.
1991
First sales company established in the UK, marking the first step towards internationalization.
1976
Invention of the RATIONAL combi oven.
1973
RATIONAL GmbH founded as a manufacturer and seller of convection appliances in Germany – with approximately 25 employees.