Kolpak

What Kolpak does

Kolpak is a US-based manufacturer of commercial walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, and modular refrigeration systems serving the foodservice industry, founded in 1969 (with category presence since the 1970s) and headquartered in a manufacturing facility at 2915 Tennessee Ave. North, Parsons, TN. Its product portfolio spans fully custom walk-ins, pre-engineered Polar Pak and KoldFront units, three refrigeration system families (120 Series R404A, Scroll Series, Polar-Pak), Polar-Surge blast chillers/shock freezers, RDI Systems condensing units and evaporator assemblies, and the ArcticFox controller platform with Tru-Dmnd defrost, Deluxe Display, and SmartAccess remote monitoring. Core technical differentiators include Softnose foamed-in-place polyurethane panels in 4"/5"/6" thicknesses, patented Era bracket floor technology rated up to 5,000 psf on structural floors, and dual-refrigerant (R404A and R448A) system options. Kolpak operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Welbilt, Inc., itself owned by Italy-based Ali Group, and is the "#1 specified brand in cold storage" with over 50 years of category presence.

The business model is overwhelmingly hardware-led: revenue is generated primarily through the sale of walk-in units and refrigeration systems to foodservice operators, supplemented by OEM replacement parts, accessories, optional 4- and 5-year extended compressor warranties, professional service labor via factory-authorized servicers, and a first-year-free ArcticFox SmartAccess subscription. Go-to-market runs through manufacturer representatives in the US/Canada, dealer partners, direct factory sales, factory-authorized servicers, and Welbilt's global distribution network of 3,000+ distributors/dealers across 100+ countries. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; products are sold as standard configurations (faster lead time) or built to specification in 0.5" increments (premium). Customer segments include restaurants, hotels, institutional kitchens, large-scale foodservice operations, and franchise chains — most notably International Dairy Queen, which has sourced walk-in equipment from Kolpak for six years and named it IDQ Equipment Vendor of the Year in 2023.

Name

Kolpak

Legal name

Kolpak, LLC

Website

https://kolpak.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kolpak is a US manufacturer of commercial walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, and modular refrigeration systems for the foodservice industry, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Welbilt (Ali Group) from its Parsons, TN facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Refrigeration Equipment

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

Refrigeration Components & Controls (Compressors, Valves, Sensors) (IMAHAKAH)

Keywords

• Walk-in refrigeration equipment
• Commercial refrigeration systems
• Foodservice cooling equipment
• Blast chillers freezers
• Industrial cold storage

Headquarters

HQ city

Parsons

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Walk-in Coolers & Freezers (Hardware): Kolpak generates revenue primarily through the sale of walk-in refrigeration units including custom walk-ins, pre-engineered walk-ins (Polar-Paks, KoldFronts), and walk-in accessories. Panels are sold in standard configurations to reduce lead time and cost, or built to exact specifications in 0.5" increments.
2. Refrigeration Systems: Kolpak sells complete refrigeration packages including self-contained systems, multi-circuit refrigeration, and RDI condensing units and evaporator assemblies. Both R404A and R448A refrigerant systems are offered.
3. Parts & Accessories: Kolpak offers a complete line of accessories (ceilings, reinforced floors, special doors, panels, AlarmPak) and genuine OEM replacement parts through factory-authorized servicers and distribution partners.
4. Polar-Surge Blast Chillers & Shock Freezers: Modular blast chillers and shock freezers sold in various configurations (1, 2, or 3 trolley compartments), available as stand-alone or integrated models.
5. Extended Compressor Warranties: Optional 4-year or 5-year extended compressor warranties are available for purchase, beginning on the factory ship date.
6. Professional Services / Warranty Labor: Kolpak covers labor for warranty repairs within the first year. All warranty service must be performed by authorized service providers. Non-warranty service labor is provided through factory authorized servicers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kolpak manufactures and sells commercial walk-in coolers and freezers in fully custom configurations, pre-engineered Polar-Pak and KoldFront units, modular Polar-Surge blast chillers and shock freezers, and RDI Systems distribution refrigeration (condensing units, evaporator assemblies, controllers). The portfolio is completed with a full line of accessories, ArcticFox defrost/monitoring controllers, and OEM replacement parts sold through manufacturer reps, dealer partners, and factory-authorized servicers.

Product overview

Kolpak is a walk-in refrigeration equipment manufacturer offering three product lines: fully custom walk-in coolers and freezers, Polar Pak pre-engineered walk-ins, and RDI Systems for distribution/commercial refrigeration. The portfolio includes a complete line of refrigeration systems (120 Series, Scroll Series, Polar-Pak), Polar-Surge blast chillers and shock freezers, and Options & Accessories. ArcticFox serves as an add-on controller module for walk-in monitoring and defrost management. The company operates as a Welbilt brand and has been serving the foodservice industry for over 50 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Polar-Surge: Modular blast chillers and shock freezers for rapid cooling and freezing of food in professional kitchens, featuring advanced insulation and 304 stainless steel construction.
• Polar Pak
• KoldFront
• RDI Systems
• ArcticFox

Products and services

• Coolers & Freezers Walk-in refrigeration coolers and freezers available in fully custom solutions, Polar Pak pre-engineered, and standard configurations for commercial foodservice applications. Manufactured with Softnose foamed-in-place polyurethane panels in 4", 5", and 6" thicknesses, built to precise specifications in 0.5" increments.
• Refrigeration Systems Complete refrigeration packages for walk-in cooler and freezer applications, including the 120 Series R404A Refrigeration Package, Scroll Series Refrigeration, and Polar-Pak Refrigeration. Available with R404A and R448A refrigerants and compatible with self-contained and multi-circuit configurations.
• Polar-Surge Blast Chillers and Shock Freezers Modular blast chillers and shock freezers for rapid cooling and freezing of food in professional kitchens, featuring advanced insulation and 304 stainless steel construction. Available in 1, 2, or 3 trolley/cart compartment configurations as stand-alone or integrated models (e.g., K400BC-1T, K750BC-2T, K1500BC-3T, K300BF-1T, K750BF-1T, K1500BF-2T).
• RDI Systems - Distribution High-efficiency refrigeration products for commercial and retail businesses, including RDI Condensing Units, RDI Evaporator Assemblies (Dual Flo, Low Air Velocity, Standard Low Profile), and RDI Controllers including ArcticFox.
• Options & Accessories Complete line of accessories for Kolpak walk-ins including ceilings, reinforced floors, special doors, panels, and AlarmPak, plus genuine OEM replacement parts distributed through factory-authorized servicers and dealer partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• ArcticFox Tru-Dmnd avoids up to 93% of standard system defrost cycles and up to 12% fewer cycles than smart defrost controls
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Norlake: Norlake is a direct peer: a specialized manufacturer of walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, and refrigerated warehouses serving commercial foodservice and scientific customers, overlapping Kolpak's core walk-in product line.
• Thermo-Kool: Thermo-Kool is a direct peer producing custom and modular walk-in coolers and freezers for restaurants, foodservice, and industrial clients with a comparable North American specification and dealer-driven sales motion.
• Arctic Industries: Arctic Industries is a direct peer manufacturing walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, and refrigerated buildings for foodservice and industrial markets — directly comparable to Kolpak's walk-in product portfolio.
• Master-Bilt (Standex): Master-Bilt, a Standex brand, is a direct peer manufacturing walk-in coolers and freezers, refrigerated warehouses, and cold-room solutions for foodservice — overlapping Kolpak on walk-ins and competing with similar panel technology.
• American Panel Corporation: American Panel Corporation is a direct peer: a walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer manufacturer targeting foodservice, industrial, and institutional markets using foamed-in-place panel construction similar to Kolpak's Softnose panels.

Regional players

• Foster Refrigerator: Foster Refrigerator is a regional peer: a UK-based manufacturer of commercial refrigeration including walk-in and cold-room products sold through European channels — comparable in product category to Kolpak but operating primarily outside Kolpak's North American territory.

Others

• Traulsen (Ali Group): Traulsen is a sibling brand within the Ali Group portfolio: a manufacturer of reach-in refrigerators and freezers for foodservice. It does not directly compete on walk-ins but shares parent ownership, distribution channels, and customer segments with Kolpak.

Broad incumbents

• Hoshizaki America: Hoshizaki America is a broad incumbent in commercial foodservice refrigeration and ice making with a broader product line, overlapping Kolpak on walk-in and commercial refrigeration sales channels.
• True Manufacturing: True Manufacturing is a broad incumbent: a much larger commercial refrigeration manufacturer with reach-in refrigerators, freezers, and walk-ins distributed through foodservice dealers — overlapping with Kolpak on walk-ins and blast chilling while operating a much broader product portfolio.
• Beverage-Air: Beverage-Air is a broad incumbent in commercial refrigeration producing reach-in and undercounter units sold through foodservice dealers — overlapping Kolpak's customer base and dealer network while competing more on reach-in than walk-in.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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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 Kolpak