Howe

What Howe does

Howe Corporation (HoweIce) is a fourth-generation, family-owned OEM manufacturer founded in 1912 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company designs and manufactures the Rapid Freeze® flake ice maker product line, with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 20,000 lbs of ice per day, alongside condensing units, ice storage bins, water filtration systems, and accessories. Core technology centers on a proprietary open-style evaporator producing sub-cooled flake ice with high surface contact area (claimed at 17,000 sq ft/ton versus 4,250 sq ft/ton for cubed ice), broad refrigerant compatibility including natural refrigerants (R-744 CO2, R-717 ammonia, propylene glycol) alongside conventional HFCs, and heavy-duty construction yielding an average 15-25 year equipment lifespan — the longest in the segment according to company materials.

The business operates a direct enterprise field sales model with a quote-based, multi-year contract pricing structure, supported by wholly-owned regional offices in Mexico (established 2018), Costa Rica, and Canada, plus active export into Colombia. Customer segments span food retail (Walmart, Wegmans, Raley's, Panera Bread), food manufacturing and processing (Grupo Bimbo, Seattle Fish Company, Schefter Poultry, Sorce Freshwater), commercial fishing, floral (The Elite Flower), zoos and aquariums, and healthcare. A recurring parts, maintenance, and certified-technician service business — including the Start Right Solutions installation program and a 24/7 technical support line — monetizes the long-lived installed base.

Monetization derives from three primary revenue streams: capital equipment sales (flake ice machines, condensing units, bins), recurring parts and aftermarket service revenue tied to the multi-decade installed base, and professional services for installation/commissioning and certified technician training. The company holds ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year recognition for 2020-2022 and Sustained Excellence in 2023, WBE and WOSB certifications, and ASME pressure vessel certification, with active participation in industry associations including NASRC and AZA. Marketing relies on content (blog), organic social, targeted trade show presence (Seafood Expo NA, IPPE, IBIE, FMI, StorePoint Fresh, Pacific Marine Expo), and the ENERGY STAR platform for credibility and top-of-funnel awareness.

Name

Howe

Legal name

Howe Corporation

Website

https://howecorp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Howe Corporation is a fourth-generation, family-owned Chicago-based OEM manufacturer of Rapid Freeze® flake ice machines (1,000-20,000 lbs/day), condensing units, and refrigeration accessories, serving food retail, food processing, commercial fishing, floral, zoos, and healthcare customers across the Americas via direct enterprise sales and regional offices in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Ice and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing

NAICS

Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Chillers & Cooling Plant Equipment (IMAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Industrial flake ice machines
• Refrigeration equipment manufacturer
• Commercial ice flakers
• Condensing units
• Food processing cooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ice Machine Hardware Sales: Howe manufactures and sells flake ice machines ranging from 1,000 to 20,000 lbs daily production capacity. The company offers various models including ice flakers, condensing units, and ice storage bins for retail, industrial, and marine applications.
2. Parts and Service: Howe provides replacement parts, maintenance kits, and service support for their equipment. They offer field replacement parts kits, maintenance kits, and certified technician training. Technical support team available with emergency after-hours support.
3. Start Right Solutions: Installation and commissioning services to ensure proper setup of equipment, providing customers with confidence that units are installed correctly.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Howe Corporation manufactures and sells the Rapid Freeze® line of OEM flake (scale) ice makers with daily production capacities from 1,000 to 20,000 lbs, along with complementary equipment such as condensing units (low, moderate, high ambient and marine duty), self-contained ice flakers with touchscreen controls, ice storage bins, CO2-, ammonia-, and glycol-compatible natural-refrigerant machines, large-capacity HFC units, water filtration systems and rolling ice carts. The offering is completed by parts and service support, certified technician training, and "Start Right Solutions" installation and commissioning services.

Product overview

Howe Corporation is an OEM ice maker manufacturer offering the Rapid Freeze® flake ice maker product line as its core offering. The product portfolio includes scale/flake ice makers producing 1,000 to 20,000 lbs daily, self-contained units with touchscreen controls, condensing units (low/moderate/high ambient and marine duty), ice storage bins, CO2 and ammonia-compatible machines for natural refrigerants, glycol systems, large capacity HFC units, water filtration systems, and rolling ice carts. The company also provides parts, service, and technical support. The products serve diverse industries including retail (supermarkets, fish markets), industrial (seafood, poultry, meat processing, produce, fishing), and specialty applications (zoos, aquariums, healthcare).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rapid Freeze® Flake Ice Maker Flagship OEM flake ice maker product line producing sub-cooled flake ice with daily production capacities from 1,000 to 20,000 lbs; delivers longest evaporator warranty in the flaker market and is marketed to food retail, food processing, commercial fishing, healthcare and specialty customers.
• Self-Contained Ice Flaker 1,000 lb/day self-contained ice flaker model with touchscreen control panel designed for simplified installation by placing on a bin and connecting power and water, targeting retail and small industrial applications.
• Condensing Units Refrigeration condensing units offered in multiple configurations—Low Ambient, Moderate Ambient, High Ambient, and Marine Duty—paired with the Rapid Freeze ice flaker line for varied deployment conditions including marine/shipboard use.
• Marine Duty Condensing Units Heavy-duty condensing units engineered specifically for marine and shipboard applications requiring durable refrigeration in harsh sea conditions.
• Ice Storage Bins Ice storage bins for storing and dispensing flake ice, including Mobile Express Ice Bins (rolling, portable) and Standard Upright Shovel-Out Ice Bins (fixed high-capacity storage).
• CO2 Ice Flakers Flake ice machines compatible with R-744 (CO2) natural refrigerant for environmentally friendly cooling applications, available from Howe since 2009 to support retailers seeking natural-refrigerant compliance.
• Ammonia Ice Flakers Industrial flake ice machines compatible with R-717 (ammonia) natural refrigerant for natural refrigeration applications, primarily used in industrial food processing environments.
• Glycol Ice Flakers Flake ice machines configured for propylene glycol secondary refrigeration systems to support centralized refrigeration architectures in industrial facilities.
• Large Capacity HFC Units High-capacity flake ice machines utilizing HFC refrigerants for large-scale industrial cooling needs in food processing and other heavy industrial operations.
• Filtration Systems & Accessories Water filtration systems and ice flaker accessories, including water filters, maintenance kits and replacement parts to support installed equipment.
• Mobile Express Rolling Ice Carts Portable rolling carts for transporting and dispensing flake ice across retail floor, processing line, or event applications where mobility is required.
• Parts and Service Technical support, replacement parts, maintenance kits, certified technician training programs and repair services with after-hours emergency support for the installed base of Howe equipment.
• ENERGY STAR Certified Models Energy-efficient ice flaker models certified under the EPA ENERGY STAR program, including 1000-SCAE, 1000-RLE, 2000-RLE, 3000-RLE and 4000-RL models producing 774–3,946 lbs per day.
• Start Right Solutions Installation Service Installation and commissioning service offering that ensures proper setup and operation of new Howe ice equipment, providing customer confidence that units are installed correctly from start-up.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ice machines outlast competitors by 2-3 times with 15-25 year lifespan
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Howe joined NASRC to support their mission of addressing barriers to widespread adoption of natural refrigerants in supermarkets. The partnership aligns with Howe's commitment to natural refrigerant technologies including CO2 and ammonia compatible flake ice machines.
• ENERGY STARcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Howe has been an ENERGY STAR partner since 2012, committing to energy efficiency across their product line. Multiple ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year awards and Sustained Excellence awards received.
• Sorce Freshwater Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide 7.5 Ton industrial flake ice machine for Asian carp (Copi) control project in the Illinois River. The ice machine enables fish processing in East Peoria, IL, allowing fishermen to process fish locally rather than transporting to distant facilities. Second unit under discussion. Howe works closely with Sorce Freshwater in advising and designing optimal flake ice equipment solutions.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHowe is an AZA member, supporting animal welfare, conservation, and education initiatives. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums fund over 2,500 conservation projects in more than 100 countries.
• Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) Apprenticeship ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through JARC apprenticeship program where Howe employs engineering and sales/marketing college apprentices. Program expanding to include upper class high school students to encourage young people to explore engineering careers.
• AmCham ColombiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican Chamber of Commerce Colombia organized Business MatchMaking Event for Howe to develop the Colombian market. Partnership helps grow Howe business in Colombia through networking and business development activities.
• Price Waterhouse Colombia (PwC)minorOthersPwC Colombia provided report on current market conditions, main economic indicators, and regulatory aspects for companies and investors in Colombia to support Howe's market entry planning.
• Pintando CaminosminorOthersCommunity organization supporting children in extreme poverty in Colombia. Howe Business Development Director participated in giving back activities during remote work program in Colombia, supporting the organization's mission through donations and volunteering.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Manitowoc Ice (Middleby): Established commercial ice equipment brand (now part of Middleby Corporation) offering cube, nugget, and flake ice systems. Competes with Howe in foodservice and retail ice with significantly greater corporate scale.
• Hussmann (Panasonic): Large commercial refrigeration and display case manufacturer (Panasonic) serving supermarkets and food retail. Adjacent competitor in supermarket cold-chain infrastructure where Howe's flake ice integrates with refrigerated display systems.
• Cornelius (Marmon/Middleby): Manufacturer of beverage and ice dispensers for foodservice and convenience retail. Adjacent incumbent with overlapping ice equipment and dispenser products in foodservice end markets.
• Hoshizaki America: Largest commercial ice equipment manufacturer in the US, with a full portfolio of ice machines plus refrigeration and dispensers. Competes broadly with Howe's flake ice line as part of a much wider product portfolio.

Direct peers

• Kold-Draft: Specialist commercial ice equipment manufacturer focused on cube ice machines for foodservice. Adjacent competitor in the commercial ice category with overlapping foodservice and retail customers.
• Ice-O-Matic: Major commercial and industrial ice equipment manufacturer (now part of Ali Group) producing cube, flake, and nugget ice machines. Competes head-to-head with Howe in food retail and foodservice flake ice applications.
• North Star Ice Equipment: Direct competitor specializing in flake and tube ice equipment for industrial and food processing applications. Overlaps with Howe's core flake ice OEM product line and target customer segments (seafood, poultry, produce).
• Scotsman Ice Systems: Leading commercial ice machine manufacturer (Hoshizaki Group) offering cube, flake, and nugget ice systems. Direct competitor in supermarket and foodservice ice equipment markets where Howe competes.
• Follett LLC: Manufacturer of ice and water dispensing equipment, including chewable nugget and flake ice, serving healthcare, foodservice, and retail customers. Direct overlap with Howe's healthcare, foodservice, and retail segments.

Emerging players

• Vogt Tube Ice: Manufacturer of tube ice and refrigeration equipment for industrial applications including food processing and concrete cooling. Overlaps with Howe's industrial food processing customer base, though focused on tube rather than flake ice.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/howecorp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMDSvJAZwP39OfpnFQLUiVQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/howecorp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/howecorp

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Howe