Fricon
Fricon (Frigocon SA) is a Portuguese commercial refrigeration equipment manufacturer, founded in 1976, that designs and sells plug-in freezers, display cases and mobile cold-storage units using R290 natural refrigerant to supermarkets, ice cream retailers, beverage distributors and street vendors worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersVila Do Conde, Portugal
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Fricon does
Fricon (legally Frigocon SA) is a Portuguese commercial refrigeration and freezing equipment manufacturer founded in 1976 and headquartered in Vila Do Conde, Portugal. The company designs, produces and markets plug-in commercial refrigeration systems for supermarkets, ice cream and frozen-product retailers, beverage distributors, and mobile or street vendors. Its product portfolio is organized into four categories — Supermercado (horizontal and vertical display freezers including the SMR SLB/CLS, COMBI, UPD and WD series), Gelados e Congelados (ice cream display cases such as the HCE, HC and MBC lines), Bebidas (beverage coolers), and Mobile (battery-powered ice cream bicycles and carts including MBC BIKE and PUSHY). Core technology is built around R290 natural refrigerant, plug-in installation, low-emissivity tempered glass, automatic defrost, bi-temperature capability, LED lighting and an equipment sedation system for cold retention during lid opening.
The business model is industrial B2B hardware sales: capital equipment is sold either directly to enterprise customers through a field-sales motion or via an international distributor network, with pricing set on a quote basis. The named customer base spans tier-1 European and global retailers (Carrefour, Continente, Marks & Spencer, Cencosud, Shoprite, Biedronka, Spar, Dia, Pingo Doce, Riberalves) and major CPG companies (Unilever, Nestlé). Revenue is supplemented by after-sales technical assistance and a spare-parts business. The company employs 501-1,000 people, runs a five-language corporate website (Portuguese, English, Spanish, German, French), maintains an active presence at European retail trade shows (EuroShop 2026, SAGALEXPO 2026), and holds EcoVadis sustainability certification. Ownership is private and concentrated; no public listing, parent company, or external funding has been disclosed.
Fricon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fricon
- Legal name
- Frigocon SA
- Website
- https://fricon.pt
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Fricon (Frigocon SA) is a Portuguese commercial refrigeration equipment manufacturer, founded in 1976, that designs and sells plug-in freezers, display cases and mobile cold-storage units using R290 natural refrigerant to supermarkets, ice cream retailers, beverage distributors and street vendors worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fricon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Refrigeration Equipment
- 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)
Keywords
Where Fricon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vila Do Conde
- HQ country
- Portugal
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Fricon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Sales: Sale of commercial refrigeration and freezing equipment including horizontal and vertical freezers, showcases, and islands for supermarkets, frozen food retailers, and beverage distributors. Revenue is generated through direct sales to commercial customers and international distributors. Products are sold as one-time capital purchases with potential for after-sales service and spare parts revenue.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Fricon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fricon designs, manufactures, and sells commercial refrigeration and freezing equipment for retail and food-service operators. Its portfolio spans horizontal and vertical supermarket display freezers (SMR, COMBI, UPD, WD series), ice cream display cases (HCE, HC, MBC series), beverage coolers, and mobile refrigeration units (ice cream bicycles and carts). Equipment is built on proprietary plug-in installation technology and uses R290 natural refrigerant, with complementary technical assistance and spare parts services.
Product overview
Fricon is a commercial refrigeration company with 50 years of experience offering a comprehensive portfolio of refrigeration and conservation solutions. The product lineup consists of four main categories: Supermercado (supermarket display cases and freezers including SMR SLB, SMR CLS, COMBI, UPD, and WD series), Gelados e Congelados (ice cream and frozen product displays including HCE, HC, and MBC series), Bebidas (beverage refrigeration units), and Mobile (portable solutions including MBC BIKE, PUSHY cart, and street/beach carts). The portfolio includes horizontal freezers (SMR SLB/CLS series with capacities from 194L to 2500L), vertical plug-in display cases (COMBI, UPD, WD series), ice cream display cases (MBC, HCE, HC series), and mobile refrigeration units (bicycles and carts). Products utilize natural R290 refrigerant gas, plug-in technology for easy installation, LED lighting, and automatic defrost systems. Technical assistance and spare parts services support the product portfolio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SMR 2500 SLB Supermarket Freezer
Companies that use Fricon
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Fricon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Fricon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Frigocon SAcoreFrigocon SA appears to be the parent company or sister entity of Fricon, based on references in the Whistleblowing Channel documentation (Canal de Denúncia) where Frigocon SA is listed as the company for employee relations. The branding and corporate identity are shared, with Frigocon SA operating the compliance and whistleblower channels for the group.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Fricon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Frigoglass: Frigoglass is a Greek-listed manufacturer of commercial refrigeration equipment focused on beverage coolers and ice-merchandisers for bottlers and retailers. Overlaps directly with Fricon's beverage and ice cream display categories and shares enterprise retail/FMCG customer base.
- Foster Refrigerator: Foster Refrigerator is a UK manufacturer of commercial refrigeration equipment, including upright and counter freezers plus grab-and-go refrigerated displays. Comparable to Fricon's UPD vertical freezer and COMBI bi-temperature ranges serving European retail and food service.
- Arneg: Arneg is an Italian manufacturer of commercial refrigeration and food retail equipment, including refrigerated display cases, freezers, and integrated solutions. Direct overlap with Fricon's supermarket (SMR/COMBI) and ice cream product lines across European and international grocery customers.
- Epta: Epta is an Italian-headquartered multinational manufacturer of commercial refrigeration equipment for retail (supermarkets, convenience stores) and food service. Direct competitor to Fricon with overlapping product categories including plug-in display cases, freezers, and integrated refrigeration solutions for major European grocery chains.
- Viessmann Refrigeration Solutions: Viessmann's refrigeration division produces commercial plug-in refrigeration and freezing solutions for retail and food service. Overlaps with Fricon's plug-in freezer and bi-temperature product positioning, particularly in European markets.
- AHT Cooling Systems (Daikin): AHT, an Austrian manufacturer owned by Daikin, specializes in plug-in commercial refrigeration including freezers, island cabinets, and refrigerated merchandisers for supermarkets and convenience retail. Highly comparable to Fricon on plug-in architecture, natural refrigerant adoption, and target customer profile.
Broad incumbents
- Hussmann (Panasonic): Hussmann, owned by Panasonic, is a major North American and global supplier of display cases, refrigeration systems, and merchandising solutions for food retail. Directly comparable to Fricon's SMR, COMBI, and UPD supermarket product lines, with a deeper installed base and broader service network.
- True Manufacturing: True Manufacturing is a US-based, family-owned commercial refrigeration manufacturer producing reach-ins, display cases, and ice cream dipping cabinets. Comparable to Fricon's HC and MBC ice cream product families with broader foodservice distribution in North America.
- Carrier Commercial Refrigeration: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration is a global leader in commercial and industrial refrigeration, offering integrated solutions for supermarkets, foodservice, and cold storage. Overlaps with Fricon's supermarket freezer and cold-room portfolio but operates at significantly larger scale across HVAC, transport refrigeration, and industrial cooling.
- Liebherr (Commercial Refrigeration): Liebherr is a German family-owned industrial group with a commercial refrigeration division producing professional freezers, fridge-freezers, and laboratory refrigerators. Comparable to Fricon's professional freezer segment, particularly ice cream and bakery cabinets, but with a broader appliance and industrial portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Fricon social profiles
Digital presenceFricon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fricon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Fricon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fricon 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 Fricon
What does Fricon do?
Fricon designs, manufactures, and sells commercial refrigeration and freezing equipment for retail and food-service operators. Its portfolio spans horizontal and vertical supermarket display freezers (SMR, COMBI, UPD, WD series), ice cream display cases (HCE, HC, MBC series), beverage coolers, and mobile refrigeration units (ice cream bicycles and carts). Equipment is built on proprietary plug-in installation technology and uses R290 natural refrigerant, with complementary technical assistance and spare parts services.
Is Fricon a public or private company?
Fricon is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Fricon founded?
Fricon was founded in 1976. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Fricon based?
Fricon is headquartered in Vila Do Conde, Portugal, in the Europe region.
How does Fricon make money?
One revenue line is on record: commercial Refrigeration Equipment Sales.
Who are Fricon's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Frigoglass, Foster Refrigerator, Arneg, Epta, Viessmann Refrigeration Solutions and AHT Cooling Systems (Daikin). Broad incumbents are Hussmann (Panasonic), True Manufacturing, Carrier Commercial Refrigeration and Liebherr (Commercial Refrigeration).
Does Fricon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fricon.
What industry is Fricon in?
Fricon's product category is Commercial Refrigeration Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAKAA, Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration Systems. Its NAICS code is 333415 and its SIC code is 3585.