The Fred D. Pfening Company is a fourth-generation family-owned business, in continuous business since 1919.
We are headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and we proudly serve the baking and food industries with ingredient handling, dough conditioning, and water dosing systems. We support our customers' growth and success through in-house design, manufacturing, installation, and commissioning of equipment and systems.
Adhering to our Customer First philosophy has made Pfening a valued partner and is why many of our customers have been with us for several decades. Our team actively listens to fully understand each customer's vision and plan, and by seeing the big picture, we can deliver a comprehensive, customized solution for every budget and need.
Markets Served
While Pfening is well known for decades of quality work in the wholesale bread and cake industry, our expertise and value are found in a wide range of product markets, including:
Our History
1919
The Fred D. Pfening Company is founded.
Fred D. Pfening sold his bakery in Akron, Ohio, to become a manufacturer’s representative in the industry.
1930s
Birth of the Pfening Flour System
Fred D. Pfening received the first of many patents for a reliable liquid meter for bakery use. In the late 1930s, he developed a final proofer that improved product consistency. Fred also designed much of Pfening’s equipment and systems and was awarded several U.S. patents during his tenure. His design concepts are still incorporated into many Pfening systems today. He served as president of the company until his retirement in 1954.
1940s - 1980s
Automated ingredient handling pioneer
Fred D. Pfening, Jr., joined the company in 1948 and was president from 1954 to 1989. He was integral in expanding the company's footprint by developing relationships with new customers and adding automated bulk sugar and minor ingredient systems to its capabilities.
1990s
Third generation leadership
Fred D. Pfening III began serving as company president in 1989, after starting with the
company in 1976. Under his leadership, the company continued to grow across the U.S. and internationally. Fred III led the development of the Enviro-Blender zero waste water blending system and company advancement into automated liquid ingredient handling systems. He also brought highly advanced technical personnel to Pfening’s engineering teams.
2000s and beyond
A fourth generation of Fred Pfening at the helm
The company’s current president, Fred D. Pfening IV, joined the company in 2008 and began working in the equipment assembly department. In 2011, Fred was promoted to Production Manager and then named President in 2019. As the company enters its second century, Fred is focused on modernizing the company infrastructure and technology platforms to ensure Pfening is best poised to support our customers’ needs and ongoing growth. He is very proud of his family’s legacy in the baking industry and is honored to lead the Fred D. Pfening Company.