What PermaCold Engineering does

PermaCold Engineering is an industrial refrigeration engineering, construction, and service firm headquartered in Portland, Oregon, founded in 1993 by Steve Jackson and Randy Cieloha. The company designs, installs, and services custom industrial refrigeration systems using natural refrigerants—primarily ammonia and transcritical CO2—for customers across 21 industries including food processing, cold storage, beverage and dairy, brewing and wineries, meat and seafood, pharmaceuticals, ice rinks, and data centers. PermaCold operates from four Pacific Northwest offices (Portland HQ, Kent WA, Meridian ID, Pasco WA) and holds contractor licenses in 20 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.

The core technical offering centers on natural-refrigerant system engineering, including the first large-scale transcritical CO2 industrial freezer in North America (Henningsen Cold Storage, 2018), roof-mounted CO2 rack systems with in-house orbital welding on stainless-steel tubing, and an integrated "load shedding" approach that factors in lighting and envelope design—LED lighting retrofits are marketed to reduce cooling load by 90%. PermaCold owns proprietary refrigerant lubricants (PC-717 for ammonia, PC-POE for HFC, PC-Mineral for CFC/HCFC, PC-LTP for ammonia liquid transfer pumps), a Portland-based precision screw compressor overhaul facility, and a deep proprietary parts inventory supporting 24/7 emergency response. Credentials include MCAWW Safety W.I.S.E. certification (2023-24), MSCA membership, and a stated 5-year warranty that the company claims is unique in the industry.

The business model blends project-based engineering and construction revenue with recurring service and maintenance contracts, parts distribution, compressor overhaul services, and lubricant sales. GTM is sales-led and enterprise-focused: direct field sales through regional offices, supported by content marketing, LinkedIn, MSCA conference presence, and the Energy Trust of Oregon Trade Ally program that monetizes utility rebates. PermaCold was acquired by Kelvin Group on January 7, 2026, becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary within a national refrigeration platform backed by Southfield Capital, with debt financing from Deerpath Capital Management and Crescent Capital; COO Brian Cronk was named President while founders Jackson and Cieloha exited operating roles.

Name

PermaCold Engineering

Legal name

PermaCold Engineering, Inc.

Website

https://permacold.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

PermaCold Engineering designs, installs, and services custom industrial refrigeration systems using natural refrigerants (CO2 and ammonia) for food processing, cold storage, beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical, and other industrial clients across the Pacific Northwest, now operating as a subsidiary of Kelvin Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Refrigeration Engineering & Services

NAICS

Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)

SIC

Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration Systems (IMAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refrigeration Components & Controls (Compressors, Valves, Sensors) (IMAHAKAH), Compressors, Refrigeration Components & Condensing Units (IMADANAG), Refrigeration Systems Maintenance (Commercial/Industrial) (BPABACAI), HVAC & Refrigeration Contracting (IMAFALAB)

Keywords

• Industrial refrigeration systems
• Natural refrigerant engineering
• CO2 refrigeration systems
• Ammonia refrigeration design
• Refrigeration maintenance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engineering & Construction Services: Custom-designed industrial refrigeration system engineering, design, and installation. Includes refrigeration controls engineering, custom solutions for reliability and performance.
2. Service & Maintenance Contracts: 24/7 emergency service, planned maintenance programs, preventative maintenance agreements, mechanical integrity inspections, process safety management, regulatory compliance services.
3. Parts Sales & Distribution: Large parts and supplies inventory with 24/7 availability. One of the largest inventories in the nation with excellent supplier relationships, low costs, and rapid delivery.
4. Compressor Overhaul Services: Precision screw compressor rebuild services at Portland headquarters facility. Re-assembly to factory specifications, machining requirements, and shipping arrangements.
5. Premium Lubricants: Proprietary lubricant products including PC-717, PC-POE, PC-Mineral Oil, and PC-LTP formulated for various refrigeration system requirements.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PermaCold Engineering designs, engineers, and constructs custom industrial refrigeration systems using natural refrigerants (CO2 transcritical and ammonia), and provides 24/7 service, maintenance, and parts support to industrial customers. Their portfolio also includes screw compressor rebuilds, proprietary lubricants (PC-717 series), Critical Process Air (CPA) pathogen-killing units, and LED lighting systems.

Product overview

PermaCold Engineering is a custom-designed industrial refrigeration systems provider specializing in green refrigeration solutions. The core offering is industrial refrigeration engineering and construction using natural refrigerants (CO2 and ammonia), complemented by comprehensive service and maintenance operations. The product portfolio includes the core engineering and construction services, supported by add-on modules including overhaul/rebuild services, a parts department, premium lubricants (PC-717, PC-POE, PC-Mineral, PC-LTP), Critical Process Air (CPA) units for pathogen control, LED lighting systems for load shedding optimization, and the Energy Trust Ally rebate program. All offerings are unified under the company's sustainability focus with the slogan 'Our Planet, Our Responsibility.'

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Industrial Refrigeration Engineering & Construction Custom-designed industrial refrigeration systems engineering, controls engineering, and installation services, including CO2 transcritical and ammonia natural refrigerant systems, for food, beverage, cold storage, and pharmaceutical facilities.
• CO2 Natural Refrigerant Systems Transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems engineered for environmentally responsible cooling with zero ozone depletion potential, high energy efficiency (up to 50% less energy than standard ammonia systems), and reduced operating costs.
• Service & Maintenance Contracts Comprehensive maintenance services including 24/7 emergency response, planned maintenance programs, preventative maintenance agreements, mechanical integrity inspections, process safety management, and regulatory compliance support for industrial refrigeration customers.
• Overhaul Department (Compressor Rebuild) Precision screw compressor rebuild services at the Portland headquarters facility, including disassembly, re-assembly to factory specifications, machining, professional re-commissioning, and shipping arrangements.
• Parts Department Commercial refrigeration parts and supplies with 24/7 availability, featuring one of the largest inventories in the nation with low costs and rapid delivery across the Pacific Northwest.
• Premium Lubricants (PC-717, PC-POE, PC-Mineral, PC-LTP) Signature line of refrigeration lubricants including PC-717 for ammonia systems (2-staged hydrocracked process, 480F flash point, ultra low solubility, non-toxic), PC-POE for HFC systems, PC-Mineral Oil for CFC/HCFC systems, and PC-LTP for ammonia liquid transfer pumps.
• Critical Process Air (CPA) Units Pathogen-killing air processing units that clear facility air, dry it quickly after cleaning, and destroy pathogens with UV light to safeguard food production and cold storage facilities.
• LED Lighting Systems Modern LED lighting systems engineered to reduce heat output and power consumption in cold storage and food processing facilities, reducing load shedding by 90% compared to traditional lighting.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% less energy consumption compared to industry-standard ammonia systems
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Kelvin GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2026Kelvin Group acquired PermaCold Engineering in January 2026, integrating PermaCold into Kelvin's national refrigeration platform. PermaCold maintains operations under its brand while leveraging Kelvin's national resources, technical knowledge, and best practices. Brian Cronk became President of PermaCold as part of the transition. Founders Steve Jackson and Randy Cieloha emphasized cultural alignment as priority in finding acquirer.
• G2 Capital AdvisorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 7 January 2026G2 Capital Advisors served as buy-side advisor for Kelvin Group's acquisition of PermaCold Engineering.
• Energy Trust of OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPermaCold is an Energy Trust of Oregon Trade Ally, working on behalf of customers to set up significant cash incentives and expense rebates for commercial refrigeration system improvements. Energy Trust provides power cost rebates and defrays PermaCold service costs for system cleaning, upgrades, and optimization.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hillphoenix: Hillphoenix (a Dover company) designs and manufactures commercial refrigeration systems, cases, and related equipment for grocery, convenience, and food-service — directly comparable to PermaCold's custom-engineered commercial/industrial refrigeration focus with significant U.S. installed base and broader product lines.
• Mayekawa: Mayekawa (MYCOM) is a global industrial refrigeration specialist with deep ammonia (NH3) and CO2 expertise — closely comparable to PermaCold's natural-refrigerant focus and industrial/food-processing customer base, making it a near-direct technical peer in the same niche.
• Bitzer: Bitzer is a leading global manufacturer of refrigeration and air-conditioning compressors (screw, reciprocating, scroll), with strong CO2 and ammonia compressor lines — comparable to PermaCold on the compressor side (PermaCold runs its own screw-compressor rebuild center) and as a supplier to competing industrial refrigeration firms.
• Star Refrigeration: Star Refrigeration is a UK-based industrial refrigeration specialist with a strong ammonia and CO2 engineering practice serving food processing, cold storage, and pharma — closely comparable to PermaCold's natural-refrigerant custom-engineering model and aftermarket service business.
• Russell Technology / CPI Fluid Engineering: Russell Technology Group and CPI Fluid Engineering are specialists in industrial refrigeration lubricants and compressor oils — the closest direct peers to PermaCold's proprietary PC-717 ammonia-lubricant product line and aftermarket fluids business.

Broad incumbents

• Johnson Controls: Johnson Controls is a broad building-systems incumbent with significant HVAC and commercial refrigeration capabilities, including industrial refrigeration service and controls — competes with PermaCold for facility-side refrigeration spend as part of a much larger integrated building portfolio.
• Hussmann: Hussmann, a Panasonic company, is one of North America's largest commercial refrigeration manufacturers serving food retail, food service, and convenience stores with display cases, refrigeration systems, and service — overlapping with PermaCold's CO2/ammonia engineering but with much broader portfolio and national service footprint.
• GEA Refrigeration Technologies: GEA's Refrigeration Technologies division supplies industrial refrigeration systems (including ammonia/CO2) for food, dairy, beverage, and marine end-markets globally — overlapping significantly with PermaCold's industrial custom-engineering focus but with international scale and a broader portfolio.
• Carrier Commercial Refrigeration: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration (formerly Carrier Transicold & Tecumseh) is a broad incumbent in commercial and industrial refrigeration, including natural-refrigerant systems — comparable to PermaCold across installation, service, and parts but with global scale and a multi-product portfolio.

Others

• Danfoss: Danfoss is a leading component supplier (compressors, valves, controls, electronics) that is a critical enabler — and partial competitor — in CO2 and ammonia refrigeration systems. It overlaps with PermaCold on controls engineering and component-level product but does not directly compete in custom-engineered system integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/permacold-engineering-inc
• Facebookfacebook.com/permacold-engineering-inc-115698568489481

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PermaCold Engineering