Emile Beizermann founded Socamel, Société de Construction d’Armoires Mécaniques et Electriques, in 1946. With three members of staff, the family business was set up in Renage (Isère), close to the railway station.

Socamel first specialised in manufacturing warming trolleys for the bulk distribution of meals in hospitals. Its groundbreaking spirit enabled Socamel Technologies to be behind many innovations that have left an indelible mark on institutions chiefly the concept of “cook chill”.

Today, Socamel Technologies is a leader in institutional catering logistics in the healthcare, educational and prison sectors.

At every stage, Socamel Technologies has broken new ground to provide optimal customer service and increased patient comfort. Summary of the major stages…

1960s

Introduction of personalised meal trays for hospital catering.
Creation of the first assembly and preparation lines.

1965 - Launch of Rescal, the first meal trolley to use thermoconvection technology.

1970s

New production technique: “Cook Chill” or “Deferred Catering”.

1969 - Development of the fast chilling by cryogenics unit, in partnership with Air Liquide.

1970 - Socamel Technologies launches cook chill and the first mixed distribution trolleys with built-in thermoconvection rethermalization. 

1973 - First Central Production Unit operating with cook chill process

1974 - Launch of the Therminal oven, the first rethermalization oven.

1974 - Rescaset, a company specialising in the manufacture of disposable packaging (dishware, consumables), set up.

1980s

New concepts developed for hospital and school catering and all forms of institutional catering (companies, armed forces, etc.).

1982 - First meal trolleys with an onboard fan and cooling system launched.

1984 - First Rescatronic trolleys for meal tray distribution in hospitals sold.

1990s

Three major innovations patented: Double Flow / Ergoserv, Cook-In-Pack, Rotofour).
International development starts.

1990 - Invention of dissociated technology, included in the flagship product Double Flow / Ergoserv.

1990 - Launch of the single tray.

1990 - Socamel Technologies purchased by Apax Partners.

1994 - Socamel Technologies introduced on the second Lyon stock exchange market.

1997 - Conquest of the American market begins with the opening of the Socamel America subsidiary.

The 2000s

A new generation of trolleys has enabled Socamel Technologies to retain its place as market leader: Compact’Clim Plus and Double Flow Plus. 

2000 - Socamel Technologies continues to grow on the American market.

2000 - First cart washers for meal trolleys launched in healthcare.

2001 - Socamel Technologies joins the Guillin Group.

2004 -  Launch of the new Ergomix concept to rethermalize multi-portion containers and trays simultaneously.

2006 - Servizio breakfast trolley launched.

2007 - Purchase of the Colston Company’s institutional catering multi-portion trolleys business in the UK and founding of the subsidiary Socamel United Kingdom Ltd.

2008 -  Launch of the 3rd generation of the dissociated Double Flow / Ergoserv concept with the i-Serv Technology traceability system fitted as standard.

2008 - Launch of Multiserv, a new trolley for meal distribution in dining rooms.

2009 - Launch of Servitherm, a new thermally insulated trolley.

2010 -  Socamel Technologies’ Charter of Commitments created - a new sign of its commitment to clients, applied by optimising its audit, demonstration, training and after-sales services.