Thermo-Kool

What Thermo-Kool does

Thermo-Kool, operating under the legal entity Mid-South Industries, Inc., is a second-generation, family-owned commercial refrigeration manufacturer founded in 1960 and headquartered in Laurel, Mississippi. The company designs and produces custom-built walk-in coolers and freezers, blast chillers and shock freezers (both standalone and integrated into walk-ins), and a proprietary TK4700 Walk-In Monitor System. Core technology centers on the patented DURATHANE 100% urethane high-density panel system with foamed-in-place Class I urethane insulation, the Insta-Lok panel locking mechanism, and a pre-assembly process that tests every unit at the factory to eliminate on-site cutting. The product line is supported by a digital toolbox including a 3D Walk-In Configurator (with augmented reality), real-time Order Tracker, ROI Calculator, Product Selector, and Floor Selector. Recent additions include A2L-compliant R454A refrigerant systems to meet 2026 AIM Act requirements and Bluezone by Middleby UV food preservation integration.

Thermo-Kool sells exclusively through a nationwide network of manufacturer sales representatives (e.g., Eaton Marketing, PMR, Desert Peak Marketing) providing on-site measurement, specification generation, and installation coordination, supplemented by direct factory sales and the online 3D configurator submission channel. Pricing is quote-based with no public price list; standard walk-ins carry an industry-leading 4-week lead-time guarantee and a 10-year warranty. Customers include chain restaurants (Chick-fil-A is a publicly cited multi-year supply partner), K-12 schools (Franklin County Schools, Crane Elementary), higher education institutions (University of Missouri, Auburn University, Hinds Community College), healthcare (Northside Hospital, Atlanta), and hotels/resorts. The company is positioned as a US-domestic-only operation (single-country footprint), holds a broad set of third-party certifications (NSF/ANSI 7, UL 723, USDA, plus state and municipal jurisdictional approvals in Florida, Houston, New York, Los Angeles, Oregon, and California), and operates with 11–50 employees from a 10-acre North Laurel Industrial Park manufacturing facility expanded in 2017, with additional downtown offices acquired in 2019.

Name

Thermo-Kool

Legal name

Mid-South Industries, Inc.

Website

https://thermokool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Thermo-Kool is a second-generation, family-owned US manufacturer of custom commercial walk-in coolers, freezers, blast chillers, and shock freezers, serving chain restaurants, K-12 schools, universities, healthcare, and hospitality customers via a nationwide sales rep network and direct factory sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Refrigeration

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), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)

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)

akta.pro secondary industries

Walk-In Freezer Service & Repair (HSAOAJAC), Blast Chiller & Specialty Refrigeration Service (HSAOAJAJ)

Keywords

• Commercial refrigeration equipment
• Walk-in coolers freezers
• Blast chillers shock freezers
• Commercial cold storage
• Foodservice refrigeration

Headquarters

HQ city

Laurel

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commercial Walk-In Coolers and Freezers: Sale of custom-built commercial walk-in refrigeration units including coolers, freezers, and combo configurations. Products are manufactured to order with customization options for dimensions, doors, flooring, and accessories.
2. Blast Chillers and Shock Freezers: Standalone and integrated blast chillers and shock freezers for rapid food cooling and freezing in commercial kitchens.
3. Walk-In Monitor System and Accessories: TK4700 monitoring systems, replacement parts, and accessories for existing walk-in installations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Thermo-Kool manufactures custom-built commercial walk-in coolers and freezers to order, with 1-inch panel increments, patented DURATHANE panel construction, and Insta-Lok locking, delivered pre-assembled inside the United States. Its portfolio also includes standalone and integrated blast chillers and shock freezers, the TK4700 walk-in monitor system, and complementary accessories targeted at foodservice operators, chain restaurants, K-12 schools, universities, hospitality and healthcare institutions.

Product overview

Thermo-Kool is a second-generation, family-owned commercial refrigeration manufacturer based in Laurel, MS, operating since 1960. The company produces custom walk-in coolers and freezers as its core product line, complemented by blast chillers and shock freezers, integrated combination units, and a smart monitoring system. The product portfolio centers on the Walk-In Coolers & Freezers (the primary platform), with Blast Chillers & Shock Freezers and Integrated Blast Chillers & Shock Freezers as specialized add-on modules that can be built directly into walk-in units. Supporting the core products is the Walk-In Monitor System (TK4700/4700HL) for 24/7 temperature and door monitoring, and a suite of digital tools including the 3D Walk-In Configurator, Order Tracker, ROI Calculator, Floor Selector, and Product Selector. All products are manufactured in the USA with a 4-week lead time guarantee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Walk-In Coolers & Freezers Custom-built commercial walk-in coolers and freezers engineered for maximum customization, durability and performance. Features patented DURATHANE 100% urethane high-density panel design, four- or five-inch foamed-in-place Class I urethane insulation, Insta-Lok panel locking, and pre-assembly before shipment. Built in 1-inch panel increments to fit exact space requirements including irregular layouts and column wrap-arounds; targeted at chain restaurants, K-12 schools, universities, hospitality and healthcare foodservice operations.
• Blast Chillers & Shock Freezers Standalone commercial blast chillers and shock freezers that rapidly lower cooked-food temperatures to safe storage levels, extending shelf life and preventing bacterial growth. Targeted at commercial kitchens seeking to comply with food safety guidelines and reduce food waste.
• Integrated Blast Chillers & Shock Freezers Combination units that integrate blast chiller and shock freezer capability directly inside a walk-in cooler/freezer, combining advanced airflow, precision temperature sensors, and intuitive controls for rapid, reliable cooling. Targeted at commercial operators that want rapid chilling and standard cold storage in a single footprint.
• Walk-In Monitor System (TK4700 / 4700HL) Smart monitoring system providing 24/7 surveillance of walk-in units with door status monitoring, temperature monitoring, automatic lighting, and alarms for temperature irregularities, power failures and open doors. Sold as a complementary product to new and existing Thermo-Kool walk-in installations.
• TK4 Light Control and Panic Button Complementary safety accessory to the TK4700 monitor system, providing light control and panic button functionality for walk-in units. Targeted at operators adding interior safety features to walk-in coolers and freezers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4-week lead time for all standard walk-in coolers/freezers after order and approval, enabling faster project completion vs. industry averages
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Integration1 record

AI capability1 record

Feature9 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Bluezone by MiddlebycoreTechnology or IntegrationBluezone UV Food Preservation technology by Middleby is integrated into or offered alongside Thermo-Kool walk-in coolers. Bluezone uses UV lights to eliminate 99.9% of airborne contaminants (bacteria, mold, ethylene gas) extending shelf life of fresh produce, dairy, and prepared foods. Thermo-Kool provides a Bluezone ROI calculator on their website and features the technology in their K-12 and higher education solutions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kolpak (Manitowoc Foodservice): Kolpak, part of the broader Manitowoc Foodservice portfolio, manufactures walk-in coolers and freezers alongside a wider range of commercial refrigeration. Larger and broader scope than Thermo-Kool, with overlapping walk-in offerings for foodservice customers.
• True Manufacturing: True Manufacturing is an established U.S. commercial refrigeration manufacturer producing reach-in refrigerators, freezers, and walk-in units. Significantly larger and broader portfolio than Thermo-Kool, but overlapping walk-in product line for the same foodservice customers.
• Hoshizaki America: Hoshizaki is a global leader in commercial refrigeration, ice machines, and foodservice equipment including walk-in coolers and freezers. Substantially larger scale and broader portfolio position it as a broad incumbent competitor in the same customer categories as Thermo-Kool.

Direct peers

• Master-Bilt: Master-Bilt manufactures walk-in coolers and freezers, refrigerated warehouses, and commercial refrigeration equipment. Comparable product portfolio (custom walk-ins, panels, refrigeration systems) and similar foodservice and institutional customer overlap make it a direct peer.
• Bally Refrigerated Boxes: Bally manufactures prefabricated and custom walk-in coolers, freezers, and refrigerated warehouses for foodservice and industrial applications. Overlapping product line (custom walk-ins, panels) and similar target customers position it as a direct peer in the walk-in specialist category.
• Arctic Industries: Arctic Industries is a U.S. manufacturer of custom walk-in coolers, freezers, and refrigerated warehouses for foodservice and industrial applications. Similar build-to-order model, panel-based construction, and overlapping customer base make it a direct comparable peer.
• American Panel Corporation: American Panel is a walk-in cooler and freezer panel manufacturer serving commercial and industrial markets. Its focus on custom panel construction and modular walk-ins parallels Thermo-Kool's DURATHANE panel approach and shared end-customers in foodservice and institutional segments.
• Imperial Brown: Imperial Brown is a commercial walk-in cooler and freezer manufacturer with custom panel construction for foodservice and industrial customers. Similar niche specialization and comparable product line make it a direct peer for walk-in solutions.
• Norlake: Norlake is a direct U.S. walk-in cooler and freezer manufacturer with comparable customized panel construction serving foodservice, scientific, and industrial customers. Highly comparable niche, similar custom-build model, and overlapping end markets make it the closest peer to Thermo-Kool.

Others

• Middleby Corporation: Middleby is a broad commercial foodservice equipment conglomerate whose Bluezone UV food preservation technology is partnered with Thermo-Kool. It does not directly compete in walk-ins but is an ecosystem partner and a parent of adjacent refrigeration and cooking brands relevant to Thermo-Kool's customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thermokool
• Facebookfacebook.com/ThermoKoolWalkIns

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Thermo-Kool