Ballinlough

What Ballinlough does

Ballinlough Refrigeration & Tail Lifts (legal entity Ballinlough Refrigeration Ltd) is a privately held Irish specialist in temperature-controlled commercial vehicle equipment, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Dublin, with additional owned workshops in Cork, Oranmore (Galway), and the original Ballinlough depot in Co. Roscommon. It operates as the authorised all-island Ireland dealer for Thermo King transport refrigeration (since 1992) and Dhollandia tail lifts (since 1995), and in 2025 became Ireland's first Ford Pro Converter-certified vehicle conversion specialist.

Its core offering is a one-stop shop for fleet operators combining capital equipment (Thermo King refrigeration units across transport, trailer, truck, and mobile categories; Dhollandia tail lifts including cantilever, slider, fold-away, column, and wheelchair lifts; proprietary panel van insulation kits capable of -30°C deep freeze), add-on services (telematics, mobile technology), and ongoing maintenance contracts covering over 2,000 pieces of equipment under LOLER, F-Gas, HACCP, EN 12830, and GDP compliance frameworks.

The business model blends one-time equipment sales, an e-commerce spare parts web shop (RRP pricing with 10% web discount and next-day delivery), recurring maintenance contracts, and managed services for pharmaceutical and home-delivery fleets. The company is privately held with 51-100 employees; named customers include SuperValu, Tesco, and the Irish Blood Transfusion Board, with a broader customer base spanning food retail, pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics, home-delivery operators, fleet hauliers, and vehicle conversion specialists.

Name

Ballinlough

Legal name

Ballinlough Refrigeration Ltd

Website

https://www.brltd.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ballinlough Refrigeration & Tail Lifts is an Irish authorised Thermo King and Dhollandia dealer offering transport refrigeration units, tail lifts, panel van insulation, maintenance contracts, and pharmaceutical cold-chain services to fleet operators across the island of Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Transport Refrigeration & Fleet Equipment Services

NAICS

Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423740)

SIC

Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

Refrigerated Vehicles (Reefer Trucks/Vans) Leasing & Rental (TLABAEAA)

Keywords

• Transport refrigeration
• Tail lift solutions
• Cold chain logistics
• Fleet management services
• Vehicle conversions

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Refrigeration Unit Sales: Sale of new transport refrigeration units including Thermo King trailer refrigeration, truck refrigeration, and transport refrigeration units. Also includes electric refrigeration solutions such as Thermo King B-100 Eco and V-1000 with E-COOLPAC battery power.
2. Tail Lift Sales & Installation: Sale and installation of Dhollandia tail lifts including lifts for factory built panel vans, wheelchair lifts, cantilever lifts, slider lifts, fold away lifts, column lifts, and special hydraulic applications.
3. Spare Parts Sales: E-commerce web shop selling genuine Thermo King and Dhollandia spare parts including fuses, switches, controls, hydraulics, seals, motors, and mechanical parts. Next day delivery available for orders placed before 1pm.
4. Maintenance & Service Contracts: Customized maintenance contract packages covering over 2,000 pieces of equipment under contract. Includes refrigeration unit maintenance, tail lift servicing, calibration, and full regulatory compliance support.
5. Fleet Management Services: Home delivery and fleet management services including 24/7 breakdown service, mobile parts van, and nationwide coverage.
6. Panel Van Insulation: Insulation workshop providing kit insulation for panel vans, including deep freeze conversions reaching -30°C, home delivery multi-temperature zone conversions, and WLTP-compliant lightweight insulation.
7. Pharmaceutical Transport Services: Specialized pharmaceutical transport services supporting GDP compliance, temperature mapping, and validation for temperature-sensitive medicine distribution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ballinlough sells, installs, and services Thermo King transport refrigeration units and Dhollandia hydraulic tail lifts for commercial vehicle operators across the island of Ireland. It complements these equipment sales with panel van insulation conversions, telematics, preventative maintenance contracts, fleet management services, and GDP-validated pharmaceutical cold chain transport. The company also operates an e-commerce parts web shop supplying genuine Thermo King and Dhollandia spare parts with next-day delivery.

Product overview

Ballinlough Refrigeration & Tail Lifts is an Irish specialist providing a comprehensive portfolio of transport refrigeration, tail lift, and fleet management solutions. The core offering spans Thermo King refrigeration units (transport, trailer, truck, and mobile), Dhollandia tail lifts (factory-built van lifts, wheelchair lifts, cantilever, slider, fold-away, column, and special hydraulic applications), and panel van insulation. These are supported by add-on services including telematics/mobile technology, and a full suite of maintenance, pharmaceutical transport, and fleet management services. Ballinlough also operates a parts e-commerce shop supplying genuine Thermo King and Dhollandia spare parts. The company holds Thermo King Dealership for Ireland (since 1992) and Dhollandia Tail Lift Dealership for Ireland (since 1995), and became Ireland's first Ford Pro Converter in 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ballinlough: Primary operating brand for transport refrigeration, tail lifts, and related services in Ireland.
• BRL

Products and services

• Transport Refrigeration Equipment (Thermo King) Sale of Thermo King transport refrigeration units for vans, trucks, trailers, and mobile applications including vaccine storage solutions. Includes the Advancer A-Series trailer platform, B-100 Eco electric unit, and V-1000 with E-COOLPAC battery power. Targeted at commercial fleet operators transporting temperature-sensitive goods.
• Tail Lifts (Dhollandia) Sale, supply, and installation of Dhollandia hydraulic tail lifts for commercial vehicles. Range includes lifts for factory-built panel vans, wheelchair lifts, cantilever lifts, slider lifts, fold-away lifts, column lifts, and special hydraulic applications. Targeted at commercial vehicle operators, fleet hauliers, and wheelchair-accessible transport providers.
• Panel Van Insulation Manufactured high-grade insulation kits for panel vans including 75mm deep freeze conversions capable of reaching -30°C, multi-temperature zone conversions for home delivery, and WLTP-compliant lightweight insulation that saves approximately 33% on vehicle payload versus traditional wet-lay fibreglass. Targeted at refrigerated van operators, supermarkets, and home delivery fleet operators.
• Maintenance & Service Contracts Recurring preventative maintenance contracts covering refrigeration units, tail lifts, calibration, LOLER-compliant testing, and F-Gas certification. Includes 24/7 nationwide breakdown response, mobile parts van delivery, and regulatory compliance support. Over 2,000 pieces of equipment are under active maintenance contracts. Targeted at commercial fleet operators across Ireland.
• Home Delivery & Fleet Management Services Managed fleet services for temperature-controlled transport operators including 24/7/365 breakdown response, mobile parts van deployment on defined routes, telematics integration, and consulting for home delivery fleet setup. Targeted at supermarket chains and home delivery operators running refrigerated fleets.
• Pharmaceutical Transport (GDP-Validated) GDP (Good Distribution Practice) validated transport services for pharmaceutical products including temperature mapping, full traceability, and HPRA/EMA compliance support. Targeted at pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare facilities such as the Irish Blood Transfusion Board.
• Thermo King Spare Parts Genuine original Thermo King spare parts covering belts, drives & fans, electrical, engine, filters, fuel management, gaskets & seals, panels, refrigeration components, starters & alternators, and ThermoLite solar panels. Sold via the e-commerce web shop with RRP pricing, 10% website discount, and next-day delivery across Ireland for orders placed before 1pm. Targeted at fleet maintenance teams and owner-operators.
• Dhollandia Spare Parts Genuine original Dhollandia spare parts including electrical parts, mechanical parts, hydraulic components, hoses and couplings, pins & bushings, and rams & seals. Sold via the e-commerce web shop with RRP pricing, 10% website discount, and next-day delivery across Ireland for orders placed before 1pm. Targeted at tail lift maintenance teams and fleet operators.
• Ford Pro Converter Refrigerated Vehicle Conversions Ford Pro Converter-certified refrigerated vehicle conversions delivered to Ford's engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance standards. Protects vehicle warranty and ensures manufacturer-grade conversion quality. Targeted at commercial vehicle operators seeking approved refrigerated van builds.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2023 Large Truck Dealer of the Year — out of 120 Thermo King dealers in the EMEA region
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Ballinlough co-hosted the IRHA 52nd Annual Conference & AGM in Galway in 2025, in partnership with Thermo King. The conference brought together hauliers, industry experts, policymakers, and logistics suppliers. Ballinlough displayed its latest refrigeration innovations and engaged with the Irish transport sector on challenges including driver shortages, regulatory pressures, and sustainability demands.
• Ford Pro ConvertercoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Ballinlough is the first company in Ireland to achieve Ford Pro Converter status, one of only 210 organisations across Europe. This programme certifies vehicle conversion specialists that meet Ford's engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance standards. Ballinlough undergoes rigorous assessment of engineering processes and quality systems to maintain this approved converter status for refrigerated vehicle conversions.
• Thermo King & Mercedes-Benz (eActros)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Ballinlough played a key role in integrating Thermo King's V-1000 refrigeration system and E-COOLPAC battery power solution with the Mercedes-Benz eActros fully electric truck. This partnership addresses the need for efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerated transport in Ireland. Ballinlough provided expert advice and support throughout the integration project, participating in the national roadshow with Thermo King and Mercedes-Benz.
• DhollandiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1995Ballinlough is the authorised Dhollandia Tail Lift dealer for the entire island of Ireland since 1995. They supply, install, and service the full range of Dhollandia tail lifts including cantilever lifts, slider lifts, fold away lifts, column lifts, and special hydraulic applications, along with genuine Dhollandia spare parts.
• Thermo KingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1992Ballinlough is the authorised Thermo King dealer for the entire island of Ireland since 1992. They supply Thermo King transport refrigeration units, trailer refrigeration, truck refrigeration, and genuine Thermo King spare parts. The partnership is a cornerstone of Ballinlough's business, forming the core of their refrigeration division. Ballinlough won Thermo King's EMEA Dealer of the Year in 2019 and Large Truck Dealer of the Year in 2023.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Carrier Transicold: Global manufacturer and supplier of transport refrigeration units (the chief competitor to Thermo King). Comparable as it operates in the same transport refrigeration product category, serving truck and trailer fleets across Europe including Ireland.
• Petit Forestier: Europe's largest refrigerated vehicle rental and leasing specialist. Comparable as a focused player in the refrigerated commercial vehicle ecosystem with similar fleet management, maintenance, and customer overlap in cold-chain logistics.
• Marshall Fleet Solutions: UK-based specialist providing transport refrigeration service, maintenance, and parts across a similar commercial vehicle customer base. Closely comparable service-only business model focused on Thermo King and other transport refrigeration brands.
• CoolKit: UK manufacturer and converter of refrigerated van bodies and systems. Comparable as a focused refrigerated vehicle conversion specialist targeting fleet operators and home delivery customers with similar product offering.

Broad incumbents

• Thermo King (Trane Technologies): Global manufacturer of transport refrigeration and the brand Ballinlough distributes. Comparable as the originator of the products Ballinlough sells and services, defining the standard across the EMEA dealer network.
• Fraikin: One of Europe's largest commercial vehicle leasing and fleet management companies with significant refrigerated vehicle capability. Comparable as a larger fleet services operator with overlapping cold chain customer base.
• TIP Trailer Services: European leader in trailer leasing and rental with substantial refrigerated trailer fleet. Comparable as a fleet solutions provider offering temperature-controlled transport equipment to similar commercial customers.
• Ryder: Global fleet management, leasing, and dedicated transportation solutions provider with refrigerated transport capability. Comparable as a large incumbent offering fleet services across similar enterprise and supply chain customers.
• Dawsongroup: UK and Ireland commercial vehicle and temperature-controlled trailer leasing provider. Comparable as a fleet solutions company serving hauliers and retailers with overlapping refrigerated transport customers in the UK and Ireland.

Others

• Dhollandia: Belgian manufacturer of hydraulic tail lifts and the brand Ballinlough distributes and services. Comparable as the equipment supplier whose products and spare parts flow through Ballinlough's service operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ballinlough
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ballinlough-refrigeration-ltd
• Xx.com/ballinloughref

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Ballinlough