CoolKit
CoolKit is a UK specialist converter that installs chilled, freezer, and dual-temperature refrigeration systems into commercial light vehicles, operating as an approved OEM partner for Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, MAN, and Kia — including electric LCV platforms like the Kia PV5 Cargo.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersBurnley, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CoolKit does
CoolKit is a UK-based specialist vehicle converter that designs and installs temperature-controlled cargo systems into commercial light commercial vehicles (LCVs). Founded circa 1995 in Burnley, the company offers chilled, freezer, and dual-temperature conversion solutions that can be specified together in a single vehicle. Its core technology combines refrigeration hardware with vehicle body integration, including — as of 2026 — the ability to integrate with electric LCV drivetrains, demonstrated by the company's first-mover temperature-controlled conversion of the Kia all-electric PV5 Cargo.
The company operates as an OEM-embedded conversion partner rather than a retail aftermarket supplier. It holds approved-converter status with Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, MAN Truck and Bus, and Kia (for the PBV range), meaning conversions are delivered through manufacturer-approved channels and can preserve vehicle warranty and homologation. The primary customer segment is fleet operators running temperature-controlled logistics — typically perishable goods distribution — who increasingly require electric drivetrains to meet sustainability targets.
CoolKit's revenue model is project-based: each vehicle conversion is a one-time service engagement scoped to a customer's temperature and volume requirements. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding; the only recorded financing event is a 2018 Lancashire Rosebud Finance grant of approximately £28k, consistent with a regionally rooted, cash-generative specialist business. Leadership is led by CEO Rupert Gatty.
CoolKit firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CoolKit
- Legal name
- CoolKit
- Website
- https://coolkit.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- CoolKit is a UK specialist converter that installs chilled, freezer, and dual-temperature refrigeration systems into commercial light vehicles, operating as an approved OEM partner for Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, MAN, and Kia — including electric LCV platforms like the Kia PV5 Cargo.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CoolKit industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Refrigerated Vehicle Conversions
- NAICS
- Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (336320)
- SIC
- Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial Vehicle Cooling, HVAC & Thermal Management Manufacturing (IMACABAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Automotive Thermal Management for Electrified Powertrains (Battery/Inverter/Motor Cooling) (IMACALAD), Automotive HVAC Modules & Integrated Climate Units (IMACALAA)
Keywords
Where CoolKit is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burnley
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
CoolKit business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
Revenue model
- Vehicle Conversion Services: CoolKit generates revenue by providing temperature-controlled conversion services for commercial vehicles, working as an approved OEM partner to install chilled, freezer, and dual-temperature conversion systems into new vehicle platforms
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
CoolKit product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CoolKit manufactures and installs temperature-controlled vehicle conversion systems for light commercial vehicles, providing chilled, freezer, and dual-temperature conversions. The company operates as an approved OEM conversion partner for major manufacturers including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, MAN Truck and Bus, and Kia, with specialized expertise in integrating refrigeration systems with electric vehicle drivetrains.
Product overview
CoolKit is a vehicle conversion company offering temperature-controlled conversion services for commercial fleets. Their core offering consists of chilled, freezer, and dual-temperature conversion solutions for light commercial vehicles, including electric models. The company operates as an approved OEM conversion partner for multiple major manufacturers including Kia, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and MAN Truck and Bus, enabling them to deliver certified conversion solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Temperature-Controlled Vehicle Conversions Physical conversion systems installed into commercial vehicles that maintain chilled, frozen, or dual-temperature cargo environments, delivered to fleet operators through OEM-approved installation channels for use in cold chain logistics.
- Kia PV5 Cargo Temperature-Controlled Conversion Electric light commercial vehicle conversion integrating CoolKit's refrigeration systems with Kia's all-electric PV5 Cargo platform, enabling fleet operators to deploy zero-emission refrigerated transport.
Quantifiable outcome
- First company to deliver temperature-controlled conversions for Kia's all-electric PV5 Cargo model
Companies that use CoolKit
Customer profileSegments1 record
CoolKit technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CoolKit partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- KiaflagshipCoolKit appointed as one of the first five approved conversion partners for Kia's PBV (Purpose Built Vehicle) range. CoolKit became the first company to deliver temperature-controlled conversions for the all-electric PV5 Cargo model. The partnership was announced at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2026.
- FordcoreCoolKit holds OEM accreditation with Ford for vehicle conversion services, part of their established partner network for commercial vehicle temperature-controlled solutions.
- Mercedes-BenzcoreCoolKit holds OEM accreditation with Mercedes-Benz for vehicle conversion services, part of their established partner network for commercial vehicle temperature-controlled solutions.
- StellantiscoreCoolKit holds OEM accreditation with Stellantis for vehicle conversion services, part of their established partner network for commercial vehicle temperature-controlled solutions.
- MAN Truck and BuscoreCoolKit holds OEM accreditation with MAN Truck and Bus for vehicle conversion services, part of their established partner network for commercial vehicle temperature-controlled solutions.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights3 records
CoolKit competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Paneltex: UK-based manufacturer of refrigerated vehicle bodies and insulated containers for commercial fleets. Direct peer to CoolKit with comparable chilled and freezer body conversion offerings for light commercial vehicles.
- Chereau: French manufacturer of refrigerated semi-trailers and rigid truck bodies for transport and logistics operators. Comparable to CoolKit in refrigerated body engineering for commercial vehicle applications.
- Lamberet: French manufacturer of refrigerated truck and van bodies, including certified conversions for major commercial vehicle OEMs. Direct competitor to CoolKit in the European refrigerated vehicle conversion market.
- Gray & Adams: Scottish/UK refrigerated vehicle body manufacturer serving fleets across the UK and Europe. Comparable to CoolKit in producing temperature-controlled conversions for commercial vehicle OEMs and fleet operators.
- KRESS Kühlfahrzeuge: German refrigerated vehicle body specialist offering chilled, freezer, and multi-temperature conversions for commercial vans and trucks. Direct competitor to CoolKit in OEM-accredited refrigerated conversions.
Broad incumbents
- Carrier Transicold: Major supplier of transport refrigeration systems and refrigerated container solutions worldwide. Incumbent that supplies refrigeration technology into the same cold-chain vehicle conversion ecosystem CoolKit serves.
- Webasto: Global automotive supplier of thermal management, HVAC, and battery systems for passenger and commercial vehicles. Broader incumbent developing EV thermal solutions that overlap with CoolKit's EV conversion capabilities.
- Thermo King: Global leader in transport refrigeration units sold to refrigerated vehicle body builders and fleet operators. Broader incumbent whose refrigeration units often integrate into the type of conversions CoolKit performs.
- Petit Forestier: European leader in refrigerated vehicle rental, leasing, and body conversion. Comparable to CoolKit as both an accredited refrigerated body converter and as a downstream fleet operator in cold-chain logistics.
Emerging players
- Hubbard Refrigeration / Hubbard Products: UK specialist in transport refrigeration units and vehicle-integrated cooling systems. Emerging player with overlap into the same refrigerated light commercial vehicle segment CoolKit addresses.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
CoolKit social profiles
Digital presenceCoolKit financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CoolKit leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
CoolKit funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CoolKit M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CoolKit
What does CoolKit do?
CoolKit manufactures and installs temperature-controlled vehicle conversion systems for light commercial vehicles, providing chilled, freezer, and dual-temperature conversions. The company operates as an approved OEM conversion partner for major manufacturers including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, MAN Truck and Bus, and Kia, with specialized expertise in integrating refrigeration systems with electric vehicle drivetrains.
Is CoolKit a public or private company?
CoolKit is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was CoolKit founded?
CoolKit was founded in 1995. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is CoolKit based?
CoolKit is headquartered in Burnley, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does CoolKit make money?
One revenue line is on record: vehicle Conversion Services.
Who are CoolKit's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Paneltex, Chereau, Lamberet, Gray & Adams and KRESS Kühlfahrzeuge. Broad incumbents are Carrier Transicold, Webasto, Thermo King and Petit Forestier. Hubbard Refrigeration / Hubbard Products is listed as an emerging player.
Does CoolKit have an API?
No public API is recorded for CoolKit.
What industry is CoolKit in?
CoolKit's product category is Refrigerated Vehicle Conversions. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACABAN, Commercial Vehicle Cooling, HVAC & Thermal Management Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMACALAD, Automotive Thermal Management for Electrified Powertrains (Battery/Inverter/Motor Cooling). Its NAICS code is 33341 and its SIC code is 3585.