ORLANDO, FLA. — Andy Caridis, founder of Heat and Control, and his son Tony Caridis, president, received SNAC International’s Circle of Honor Award at SNAXPO25, held March 30-April 1.

Nominated by industry peers and voted on by SNAC International’s board of directors, Circle of Honor awardees are recognized for their outstanding commitment to the snack industry, innovation and growth.

“To get this award from our customers, our associates and our competitors, it means a lot to Heat and Control,” said Tony Caridis. “Without a great team at Heat and Control, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Andy Caridis founded the company in 1950 alongside four engineering partners with the goal of modernizing industrial process heating equipment. As the company grew into the 1960s it increased its focus on the food industry, and by the 1970s it supplied complete food processing systems. Today, Heat and Control is a global supplier of the snack industry, as well as bakery, confectionery, pharmaceuticals and more. 

“Andy’s been in the business 70-plus years and Tony 50-plus years, and they have spanned every innovation in the snack industry globally,” said Jeff Almond, industry manager, snack food packaging, Heat and Control. “There’s not many people who can say that.”

Despite their many decades in the industry, Tony Caridis said he and his father aren’t done innovating. 

“My father is 103 years old, and he still has the fire to make it better,” he said. 

Throughout his career, Andy Caridis is credited with developing or supervising the development of more than 130 patents. 

“It’s still growing,” Andy Caridis said. “It’s never ending.”