Preston Refrigeration
Preston Refrigeration is a privately held, full-service U.S. industrial refrigeration contractor founded in 1946 and based in Kansas City. It designs, builds, services, and supplies parts for ammonia and CO2 refrigeration systems serving meat processing, food & beverage, and cold storage enterprises.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1946
- HeadquartersKansas City, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Preston Refrigeration does
Preston Refrigeration is a full-service industrial refrigeration contractor founded in 1946 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The company designs, engineers, fabricates, installs, services, and supplies parts for ammonia, cascade, CO2, and Freon refrigeration systems serving meat processing, food & beverage, and cold storage operators across the United States. Its technology base includes proprietary and patented spray chill and snap chill systems for slaughtering and chilling facilities, pioneering dry fan coil evaporators and pumped liquid recirculation technology, an award-winning design and engineering division using 3D CAD, a 200,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility with a UL certified panel shop, and a controls/automation division built around PLCs, HMIs, and turnkey system integration. Preston also delivers Process Safety Management (PSM) services for ammonia facilities under OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.119 and operates 24/7 preventative maintenance and emergency service programs through technicians positioned throughout the U.S.
The business model is project-based and B2B, anchored on enterprise field sales with quote-driven engagements. Pricing follows a milestone structure: 25% of contract value at acceptance with the remaining 75% invoiced monthly as work progresses, payable net 30 days. Revenue streams span one-time design-build and installation projects, recurring preventative maintenance contracts and emergency service, OEM parts and equipment distribution through relationships with 17+ manufacturers (Vilter, Frick, GEA, Danfoss, Hansen, Parker, Krack, BAC, Evapco, Mycom, Cornell, Teikoku, Bell-Gossett, among others), and ongoing PSM compliance engagements. Notable named customers include Hormel, Tyson, Smithfield, JBS, Kraft Heinz, National Beef, Triumph Foods, Unilever, Americold, and DFA. The company employs more than 150 refrigeration specialists and has executed projects exceeding $40 million in value, including a hog processing facility processing 20,000 hogs/day with an 80,000 lb ammonia charge, a turkey processing facility supporting 90,000 turkeys/day with 95,000 lbs of ammonia and 6,300 horsepower, and a dry sausage facility with 70,000 lbs of ammonia and 2,800 horsepower.
Preston Refrigeration firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Preston Refrigeration
- Legal name
- Preston Refrigeration Co., Inc.
- Website
- https://prestonrefrigeration.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1946
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Preston Refrigeration is a privately held, full-service U.S. industrial refrigeration contractor founded in 1946 and based in Kansas City. It designs, builds, services, and supplies parts for ammonia and CO2 refrigeration systems serving meat processing, food & beverage, and cold storage enterprises.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Preston Refrigeration industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Refrigeration Contracting Services
- NAICS
- Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423740)
- 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 industries
- Preventive Maintenance Programs for Refrigeration Systems (HSAOAJAL), Compressor, Condenser & Evaporator Service (HSAOAJAG)
Keywords
Where Preston Refrigeration is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kansas City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Preston Refrigeration business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Design & Engineering Services: Award-winning Design & Engineering Division offering customized plans to meet specific needs and budget. Services include 2-D and 3-D modeling, P&IDs, relief system calculations, piping stress analysis, fluid flow modeling, heat load calculations, and energy audits.
- Custom Fabrication: Custom steel and equipment modification services carried out in 200,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility. Services include structural frames, catwalks, valve control stations, skid packages, pipe stands & hangers, stainless and galvanized fabrication.
- Construction & Installation: Full-service construction of ammonia, cascade, CO2, and Freon refrigeration systems. Turn-key construction with procurement, installation, and integration of all refrigeration components including equipment, piping, insulation, and control systems.
- Service & Maintenance: Preventative maintenance programs (weekly, monthly, annual inspection contracts) and 24/7 emergency service with Rapid Response technicians. Services include equipment repair, troubleshooting, compressor and pump rebuilds, valve replacement, vibration analysis, and control upgrades.
- Electrical, Automation & Controls: Custom and factory control systems with turnkey integration including programming, installation, and support. UL certified panel shop builds complete automation solutions.
- Process Safety Management (PSM): Full or partial support for all elements of PSM planning for ammonia refrigeration facilities. Services include employee participation, process safety information, process hazard analysis, operational procedures, training, contractor evaluation, pre-startup safety review, mechanical integrity, hot work, management of change, incident investigation, emergency planning & response, and compliance audits.
- Parts & Equipment Distribution: Distribution of OEM parts and equipment for industrial refrigeration. Top categories include ammonia detectors, compressors & motors, condensers, controls, coolers, evaporators, filters, fittings, gaskets, gauges, insulation, oils, pumps, purgers, sensors, strainers, switches, valves, and vessels. Supported by long-standing OEM relationships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based pricing with milestone payments |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Preston Refrigeration product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Preston Refrigeration is a full-service industrial refrigeration contractor providing self-performed design, engineering, custom fabrication, construction, installation, service and maintenance, electrical/automation/controls integration, and Process Safety Management (PSM) services for ammonia, cascade, CO2, and Freon refrigeration systems. The company serves meat processing, food & beverage, and cold storage enterprises across the United States from its Kansas City, Missouri headquarters and a 200,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility.
Product overview
Preston Refrigeration is a full-service industrial refrigeration contractor offering a comprehensive portfolio of services spanning the entire lifecycle of refrigeration systems. The company operates seven interconnected service divisions: Design & Engineering (offering award-winning customized plans using 3D CAD and proprietary technology), Custom Fabrication (operating a 200,000 sq. ft. facility for steel and equipment modifications), Construction & Installation (self-performing ammonia, cascade, CO2, and Freon system builds), Service & Maintenance (preventative programs and 24/7 emergency response nationwide), Electrical, Automation & Controls (custom control systems with turnkey integration), Process Safety Management (full PSM compliance support for ammonia facilities), and Parts & Equipment (OEM parts distribution). This integrated approach enables Preston to deliver design-build-operate-maintain solutions from a single contractor.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Design & Engineering
Quantifiable outcome
- One of the largest industrial refrigeration contractors in the country
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Preston Refrigeration
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Preston Refrigeration technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Preston Refrigeration partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Fehr SolutionscorePreston Refrigeration announced a new collaboration with Fehr Solutions, a water treatment services and consulting firm. This partnership provides comprehensive support for industrial refrigeration facilities requiring water treatment services and consulting.
- ViltercoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment including compressors. One of the top brands distributed by Preston.
- FrickcoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment. One of the top brands distributed by Preston.
- GEAcoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment. Preston team received GEA Control Panel Units training in 2024 to enhance service capabilities.
- DanfosscoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment. Danfoss ammonia isolation valves used in Preston installations.
- HansencoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment. Hansen ammonia isolation valves used in Preston installations.
- ParkercoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment and components.
- KrackcoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment including evaporative condensers and air cooled equipment.
- BAC (Baltimore Aircoil Company)coreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment including cooling towers and evaporative condensers.
- EvapcocoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment including evaporators and condensers.
- TeikokucoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment including compressors.
- CornellcoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment including pumps and compressors.
- CyruscoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment.
- HenrycoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment including valves.
- RVScoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment.
- MycomcoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment including compressors.
- Bell-GossettcoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment including pumps and heat exchangers.
- PhillipscoreOEM partner distributing industrial refrigeration equipment.
- Calibration ServicescoreCalibration services partner for industrial refrigeration equipment maintenance.
- Panatrol CorporationcoreAcquired by Preston Refrigeration in October 2022. Generational Equity announced the sale of Panatrol Corporation to Preston Refrigeration, Co. This acquisition enhanced Preston's capabilities in control systems and automation.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Preston Refrigeration competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GEA Group: GEA Refrigeration Technologies is the world's largest industrial refrigeration equipment manufacturer, designing and supplying ammonia and CO2 systems for meat, dairy, beverage, and cold storage customers. Directly comparable to Preston in target segments and refrigerant expertise, though GEA is equipment-led while Preston is a full design-build-service contractor.
- CoolSys: CoolSys is the largest U.S. provider of refrigeration, HVAC, and plumbing services to commercial and industrial customers, including grocery, foodservice, and cold storage. Closest U.S. service-business analog to Preston in service-side capabilities and customer verticals, though broader in scope and less concentrated in heavy industrial ammonia.
- Star Refrigeration: Star Refrigeration is a UK-based independent industrial refrigeration contractor delivering ammonia and CO2 systems for food processing, cold storage, and process cooling. Closest international analog to Preston in terms of self-performed design, build, and service model and customer end markets.
Broad incumbents
- Johnson Controls: Johnson Controls owns the York, Frick, and Sabroe refrigeration brands, supplying large industrial ammonia and CO2 refrigeration systems globally through a combination of equipment sales and service. Comparable in refrigerant technology and customer verticals but operates as a broad multi-line incumbent rather than a specialist contractor.
- Carrier Commercial Refrigeration: Carrier is one of the largest global HVAC and commercial refrigeration equipment manufacturers, with industrial ammonia and CO2 system offerings overlapping Preston's installed-base service opportunity. Operates as a broad incumbent with focus on equipment and OEM service rather than self-performed contractor delivery.
- Lennox International: Lennox International (Heatcraft) supplies commercial refrigeration and HVAC equipment to supermarkets, foodservice, and light-industrial customers. Less of a direct contractor competitor than an incumbent equipment supplier whose installed base overlaps with Preston's service and retrofit opportunity.
- Emerson Climate Technologies: Emerson's Climate Technologies segment (Copeland, Vilter) supplies compressors, condensing units, and controls that flow through Preston's distributors and installations. Overlaps in ammonia and industrial refrigeration technology, controls, and customer base, but sold predominantly through OEMs and distributors rather than contractor-delivered projects.
- Hillphoenix (Dover): Hillphoenix, part of Dover's Refrigeration & Food Equipment segment, designs and manufactures commercial refrigeration display cases and systems for grocery, c-store, and cold storage. Overlaps with Preston in cold-storage and foodservice refrigeration but is OEM-led rather than a self-performed design-build contractor.
Regional players
- Mayekawa: Mayekawa (Mycom) is a Japan-headquartered industrial refrigeration specialist with strong ammonia and natural-refrigerant system expertise and growing U.S. presence. Closely comparable in ammonia refrigeration technology stack and food/cold-storage end markets, but primarily serves Asia and competes selectively in North America.
Emerging players
- CIMC Refrigerated Trailer & Container: CIMC is the world's largest refrigerated container and trailer manufacturer, increasingly expanding into cold-chain logistics and integrated cold-storage services. Adjacent in cold-chain technology and end-customer overlap, but primarily equipment-led and not a U.S. installation contractor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Preston Refrigeration social profiles
Digital presencePreston Refrigeration financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Preston Refrigeration leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Preston Refrigeration subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Preston Refrigeration funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Preston 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 Preston Refrigeration
What does Preston Refrigeration do?
Preston Refrigeration is a full-service industrial refrigeration contractor providing self-performed design, engineering, custom fabrication, construction, installation, service and maintenance, electrical/automation/controls integration, and Process Safety Management (PSM) services for ammonia, cascade, CO2, and Freon refrigeration systems. The company serves meat processing, food & beverage, and cold storage enterprises across the United States from its Kansas City, Missouri headquarters and a 200,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility.
Is Preston Refrigeration a public or private company?
Preston Refrigeration is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Preston Refrigeration founded?
Preston Refrigeration was founded in 1946. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Preston Refrigeration based?
Preston Refrigeration is headquartered in Kansas City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Preston Refrigeration make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Design & Engineering Services are the primary driver. The others are custom Fabrication, construction & Installation, service & Maintenance, electrical, Automation & Controls, process Safety Management (PSM) and parts & Equipment Distribution.
Who are Preston Refrigeration's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GEA Group, CoolSys and Star Refrigeration. Broad incumbents are Johnson Controls, Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Lennox International, Emerson Climate Technologies and Hillphoenix (Dover). Mayekawa is listed as a regional player. CIMC Refrigerated Trailer & Container is listed as an emerging player.
Does Preston Refrigeration have an API?
No public API is recorded for Preston Refrigeration.
What industry is Preston Refrigeration in?
Preston Refrigeration's product category is Industrial Refrigeration Contracting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAKAA, Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration Systems, with a secondary code of HSAOAJAL, Preventive Maintenance Programs for Refrigeration Systems. Its NAICS code is 33341 and its SIC code is 3585.