The Middleby Corporation (NASDAQ: MIDD) has confirmed that Mark Salman, President of its Food Processing Group, will become Chief Executive Officer of the division when it separates into a standalone public company in the second quarter of 2026. Mark Bowie has also been appointed Chief Operating Officer of the new entity, effective upon completion of the spin-off.

Salman will remain in his current role throughout the transition period. Since taking charge of the Food Processing Group in 2018, he has overseen revenue growth from $390 million to $850 million in 2025, integrating 16 acquisitions with a combined annual turnover of approximately $300 million along the way. The division now ranks among the sector's most profitable, with best-in-class adjusted EBITDA margins.

Middleby CEO Tim FitzGerald said Salman's understanding of customer needs and his record of operational performance made him the natural choice to lead the business into its next phase. "His leadership has been central to delivering the kind of end-to-end automation solutions that food processors around the world are increasingly relying on," FitzGerald added.

Salman said the business enters independence with a strong hand: recognised brands, proprietary automation technology, and a clear runway for growth. "As a focused, standalone company, we will have the freedom to move faster, go deeper in adjacent markets, and keep building the solutions our customers count on," he said.

Bowie joins with more than 25 years in manufacturing, including CEO tenures at In-Place Machining and LPW Group, as well as senior roles at JBT Corporation and CIRCOR's fluid handling division. His background spans public company leadership and managing businesses through substantial operational change.

The separation is the third strand of Middleby's broader portfolio restructuring, which aims to create three independent, sector-focused businesses. Once standalone, the Food Processing company will set its own capital allocation priorities and pursue acquisitions independently. The transaction remains on schedule for Q2 2026.