Highland Refrigeration
Highland Refrigeration is a Seattle-based, privately held custom industrial and marine refrigeration systems manufacturer founded in 1999 that designs, fabricates, and services CO2, ammonia, and Freon-based refrigeration plants for commercial fishing fleets, seafood processors, and industrial food plants across North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Highland Refrigeration does
Highland Refrigeration (legal entity Highland Holdings Inc., d.b.a. Highland Refrigeration Co., Inc.) is a privately held Washington corporation founded in Seattle in 1999 that designs and builds custom-engineered industrial and marine refrigeration systems. The company operates eight core product lines — Parts, Containerized Systems, Compressor Skids, Plate Freezers, Blast Freezers, RSW & Brine Chillers, Ice Machines, and Subcritical/Transcritical CO2 Systems — built from high-quality global components including BOCK semi-hermetic compressors, BUUS ice drums, and Danfoss valves. Its primary customers are commercial fishing fleets, seafood processing vessels, and industrial food processing plants that require durable cold-chain equipment for harsh marine and plant environments, with 25+ years of accumulated expertise in marine-grade CO2 (R-744), ammonia (R-717), and Freon systems reaching temperatures as low as -76°F.
The company runs a B2B enterprise field sales motion with quote-based, project-by-project pricing, executed through custom engineering consultation, design, fabrication, and turnkey installation. Revenue is generated from three streams: (1) one-time sales of custom refrigeration systems and projects, (2) parts and equipment distribution (including a top-tier Danfoss distribution franchise in North America), and (3) recurring 24/7 service, maintenance, and certified technician work across NH3, Freon, and CO2 platforms. GTM leverages a Request a Quote funnel on the website, direct phone/email outreach, and active participation in industry trade shows (RETA, IIAR, Pacific Marine Expo), supported by a small, specialized engineering team led by Managing Director Patrick Fossey (joined 2018) and consultant Kjeld Hansen (formerly Chief Engineer at Sabroe North America).
Strategically, Highland has maintained continuous operation since 1999 as an independent, non-funded private business and has begun broadening its addressable market in 2024-2025 through the launch of the Certified Industrial Partners (CIP) network (March 2025), a co-development partnership with Danfoss BOCK on a dual-function ice machine (RETA 2025), and expansion of its compressor skid business into data centers, batteries, dispensaries, and broader cold storage. The company holds no patents, no AI/ML capability disclosures, and discloses no revenue.
Highland Refrigeration firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Highland Refrigeration
- Legal name
- Highland Holdings Inc.
- Website
- https://highlandref.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Highland Refrigeration is a Seattle-based, privately held custom industrial and marine refrigeration systems manufacturer founded in 1999 that designs, fabricates, and services CO2, ammonia, and Freon-based refrigeration plants for commercial fishing fleets, seafood processors, and industrial food plants across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Highland Refrigeration industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Refrigeration Systems
- NAICS
- Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)
- SIC
- Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration Systems (IMAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine HVAC, Refrigeration & Ventilation Systems (IMAJAIAE)
Keywords
Where Highland Refrigeration is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Highland Refrigeration business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Refrigeration Systems: Design and build custom refrigeration systems including containerized systems, compressor skids, and integrated refrigeration projects. Revenue from complete system sales and installation.
- Parts & Equipment Sales: Well-stocked selection of refrigeration parts and supplies. One of the largest distributors of Danfoss products in North America. Revenue from component and replacement parts sales.
- Service & Maintenance: 24/7 service and parts response. Service includes troubleshooting, repair, certified compressor overhauls, refrigeration plant upgrades, and operator training. NH3, Freon, and CO2 trained technicians.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom Systems - Quote Based |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Highland Refrigeration product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Highland Refrigeration designs, engineers, and builds custom industrial and marine refrigeration systems for commercial fishing, seafood processing, and industrial food processing customers. Its portfolio spans eight product categories—Parts, Containerized Systems, Compressor Skids, Plate Freezers, Blast Freezers, RSW & Brine Chillers, Ice Machines, and Subcritical & Transcritical CO2 Systems—delivered as individual components or integrated turnkey projects backed by 24/7 service.
Product overview
Highland Refrigeration is a custom-engineered industrial refrigeration company founded in Seattle in 1999, offering a portfolio of interconnected refrigeration products and systems. The core offerings span eight product categories: Parts (refrigeration components and supplies), Compressor Skids (custom multi-compressor systems), Containerized Systems (portable plug-and-go refrigeration units), Blast Freezers, Plate Freezers, RSW & Brine Chillers, Ice Machines, and Subcritical & Transcritical CO2 Systems. These products serve marine and industrial applications and can be sold as individual components or integrated into complete turnkey refrigeration projects. The company also offers design and engineering services and 24/7 customer support, with containerized systems often incorporating multiple product types (e.g., blast freezers inside containers with ice machines).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Refrigeration Parts & Supplies
Quantifiable outcome
- Systems reaching temperatures as low as -76°F (-60°C)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Highland Refrigeration
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Highland Refrigeration technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Highland Refrigeration partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Danfoss BOCKcorePartnership to showcase innovative dual-function ice maker at RETA 2025. The ice machine features BOCK compressor technology and can switch from flake ice to slurry ice at the flip of a switch. Highland builds with high-quality Danfoss components for performance, compactness, and longevity.
- Certified Industrial Partners (CIP)coreCIP is a family of accredited members embodying centuries of expertise and excellence across industrial sectors. Highland is a premier member, with a 25-year foundation of delivering exceptional performance under demanding conditions. CIP provides standardized solutions and nationwide access to Highland's compressor skids and expertise.
- DanfosscoreHighland Refrigeration is one of the largest distributors of Danfoss products in North America. Highland carries a large selection of Danfoss industrial refrigeration components, from everyday parts to hard-to-find items, all in stock and ready for shipment. Danfoss BOCK compressors are a key component in Highland's CO2 ice machines showcased at RETA 2025.
- O'Hara CorpminorPhoto of Alaska Spirit vessel courtesy of O'Hara Corp. Highland supplied refrigeration plant with two plate freezers for Alaska Spirit.
- Component SupplierscoreHighland works with major industrial refrigeration component suppliers including BOCK Compressors, GEA, BUUS Iceflaker, North Star, Isotherm, Alfa Laval, Thermowave, Evapco, Baltimore Aircoil Company, Colmac Coil, Guntner, Bitzer, Vilter, Sabroe, and others for system components.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Highland Refrigeration competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Highland Refrigeration social profiles
Digital presenceHighland Refrigeration financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Highland Refrigeration leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Highland Refrigeration funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Highland Refrigeration 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 Highland Refrigeration
What does Highland Refrigeration do?
Highland Refrigeration designs, engineers, and builds custom industrial and marine refrigeration systems for commercial fishing, seafood processing, and industrial food processing customers. Its portfolio spans eight product categories—Parts, Containerized Systems, Compressor Skids, Plate Freezers, Blast Freezers, RSW & Brine Chillers, Ice Machines, and Subcritical & Transcritical CO2 Systems—delivered as individual components or integrated turnkey projects backed by 24/7 service.
Is Highland Refrigeration a public or private company?
Highland Refrigeration is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Highland Refrigeration founded?
Highland Refrigeration was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Highland Refrigeration based?
Highland Refrigeration is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Highland Refrigeration make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Refrigeration Systems are the primary driver. The others are parts & Equipment Sales and service & Maintenance.
Does Highland Refrigeration have an API?
No public API is recorded for Highland Refrigeration.
What industry is Highland Refrigeration in?
Highland Refrigeration's product category is Industrial Refrigeration Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAKAA, Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration Systems, with a secondary code of IMAJAIAE, Marine HVAC, Refrigeration & Ventilation Systems. Its NAICS code is 333415 and its SIC code is 3585.