Baker

What Baker does

Baker Refrigeration, the trading name of fourth-generation family-owned AJ Baker & Sons Pty Ltd, is an Australian commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning specialist founded in 1920 in Western Australia. The company supplies, installs and services refrigeration, freezing, ice-making, hot-food, commercial kitchen and air-conditioning equipment for supermarkets, hospitality venues, mining/building facilities and defence customers, operating from six branches across Osborne Park WA, Bunbury WA, Seventeen Mile Rocks QLD, Eastern Creek NSW, Campbellfield VIC and Dry Creek SA with 251-500 employees and 24/7 service coverage. Its customer roster spans enterprise supermarket chains (ALDI, Drakes), independent groups under Metcash/IGA and AUR buying networks (IGA, Foodworks, Ritchies), hotels and restaurants (Hilton's Coal Cellar Grill, Hill of Grace) and industrial sites.

The technical platform centres on complete-store refrigeration: chilled and frozen display cases, freezers, ice machines, gelato and deli cases, hot food cabinets, commercial kitchens and centralised refrigeration plant. Its signature capability is transcritical CO2 (R744) plant from European partner Epta, including the compact ECO2 Mini condensing units, integrated with R290 (propane) plug-in equipment across the proprietary ALL-CHILL, ALL-ICE and ALL-FROZEN brands. Baker also holds long-tenured Australian distribution rights for Manitowoc Ice (50 years), Bonnet Névé, Criocabin (top dealer 2023), Iarp, Ubert, Tecfrigo, AHT, Kloppenberg, Neo and Sotto, providing single-vendor access to a multi-brand portfolio. No AI, ML or proprietary software platforms are core to the offering; digital touchpoints are limited to Carel Boss remote monitoring and a Mailchimp newsletter.

Revenue is generated through four streams: equipment supply (hardware resale of partner and own-brand cabinets, freezers and plant), installation and commissioning services, 24/7 managed-service maintenance contracts, and spare parts logistics. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contract cadences for retail rollout programmes and ongoing service work, and the company goes to market through dedicated state sales teams, authorised dealers (e.g., Flexikitch in Victoria), trade shows (Metcash Food EXPO, AUR FoodWorks, Foodservice Australia, EuroShop Düsseldorf, ATMO Australia), and direct digital channels including the 'Baker World' virtual expo with Metcash. Marketing combines organic social presence (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X), a YouTube channel and the 'Chilled Insider' newsletter.

Name

Baker

Legal name

AJ Baker & Sons Pty Ltd

Website

https://ajbaker.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

AJ Baker & Sons (Baker Refrigeration) is a fourth-generation, family-owned Australian commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning provider that designs, supplies, installs and maintains refrigeration plant, cases, freezers and ice equipment for supermarkets, hospitality, mining, defence and foodservice customers across six Australian states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Refrigeration Equipment and Services

NAICS

Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42374), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Refrigeration & HVAC (Foodservice) Wholesale (AFAIALAI)

Keywords

• Commercial refrigeration systems
• Supermarket refrigeration solutions
• Transcritical CO2 refrigeration
• Commercial ice machines
• HVAC installation and service

Headquarters

HQ city

Ocean Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Supply: Supply of commercial refrigeration equipment including chillers, freezers, ice machines, hot food cabinets, air conditioning systems, commercial kitchen equipment, and refrigeration plant. Equipment sourced from own brands (ALL-CHILL, ALL-ICE, ALL-FROZEN) and international partners (Manitowoc, Bonnet Névé, Epta, Criocabin, Iarp, Ubert).
2. Installation and Commissioning: Full installation and commissioning of refrigeration systems for new stores, refurbishments, and upgrades. Includes design and cost planning, engineering and project management. Provided as part of the complete supermarket solution.
3. Service and Maintenance: 24/7 service and maintenance support through a network of qualified technicians across all Australian branches. Includes genuine spare parts supply and preventative maintenance programmes.
4. Spare Parts Supply: Supply of genuine spare parts for all equipment, supported by warehouse and ERP inventory systems. Parts supplied to technicians and directly to customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AJ Baker & Sons (Baker Refrigeration) supplies, installs, commissions, and services commercial refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for supermarkets, food retailers, hospitality venues, and commercial facilities across Australia. Core offerings include chillers and refrigerated display cases, freezers, ice machines and dispensers, hot food cabinets, commercial kitchen and foodservice equipment, refrigeration plant systems, and air conditioning, supported by 24/7 service, maintenance, and genuine spare parts supply through a six-branch national network.

Product overview

AJ Baker & Sons (Baker Refrigeration) is a commercial refrigeration solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for supermarkets, food retail, hospitality, and commercial applications across Australia. The core offering includes Chillers & Refrigerated Display Cases (self-serve deli, vertical display cabinets, semi-verticals, serve-over counters, islands, pastry/cake displays, salad bars), Freezers (closed vertical, overhead, chest freezers, gelato cases), Ice Machines & Dispensers, Hot Food Cabinets, Commercial Kitchen Equipment, Air Conditioning Systems, and Refrigeration Plant systems. The company distributes and supports multiple branded product lines including ALL-CHILL Coastal glass door chillers, Bonnet Névé products (Rock Eco Plus, Skylight, Curl, MultiFresh, Latitude), Epta transcritical CO₂ systems and ECO2 Mini condensing units, Manitowoc ice machines, Criocabin Enixe deli counters, Iarp freezers, Ubert hot food displays, and Tecfrigo specialty cabinets. Products are offered as both plug-in (self-contained with built-in compressors) and remote systems (centralized plant serving multiple cases), with a focus on natural refrigerants like R290 and CO₂ for sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ALL-CHILL Coastal Glass Door Chiller A plug-in upright glass-door commercial chiller offered in 2, 3, and 4-door configurations, using eco-friendly R290 refrigerant with high-efficiency fan motors, 5 adjustable shelves, LED undershelf lighting, electronic temperature control, castors, and automatic defrost. Designed for supermarket and food retail display of chilled products.
• ALL-FROZEN Sunshine Gelato Case Own-brand serve-over gelato display case with LED lighting, sleek black finish, fan-forced refrigeration, automatic defrost, galvanized sheet metal body and stainless steel interior; available in configurations to accommodate 6 to 18 gelato flavours. Designed for gelaterias, cafes, and food retail display.
• Iarp Glad 2D and 3D Dual-Temperature Freezer/Chiller A plug-in dual-temperature freezer/chiller available in 2-door and 3-door configurations with black exterior, insulated glass doors, LED lighting, and adjustable shelving for frozen food storage and display. Distributed in Australia by Baker Refrigeration under its Iarp partnership.
• Manitowoc Ice Machines and Dispensers Commercial ice machines, dispensers, and ice storage bins including Indigo NXT, M Series, cube ice machines (i1500, IDT0620A, M420A), flake and nugget ice machines, and undercounter units. Baker Refrigeration is the national importer and distributor for Manitowoc Ice across Australia.
• Epta Transcritical CO2 Refrigeration Plant and ECO2 Mini Condensing Units Centralised CO2 refrigeration plant systems engineered to deliver refrigeration, heating, cooling, and hot water from a single efficient plant, plus compact ECO2 Mini condensing units (ECO2 MINI S supporting seven 3.75m medium-temp cases or 50m² cool room; ECO2 MINI H PRO handling five 3.75m cases or 45m² cool room). Designed for supermarket and food retail sustainability and energy efficiency.
• Bonnet Névé Commercial Refrigeration Range A distributed brand lineup including Rock Eco Plus glass door multidecks, Rock Produce Cases, Aurora 20 Eco Wide island freezers, Skylight glass door freezers, Curl 3 Green semi-verticals, MultiFresh vertical multi-deck chillers, Multifresco and Multifreeze Plus units, Latitude SV self-serve displays, ONWAVE 3G multi-deck chillers, and Melo products. Targeted at supermarkets, delis, and food retailers.
• Criocabin Enixe Serve-Over Deli Counters and Displays Italian-made serve-over deli counters and Enixe range display cases for premium deli and fresh food presentation in supermarkets and specialty food retail. Baker Refrigeration is the Australian distributor.
• Commercial Kitchen and Foodservice Equipment Stainless steel commercial kitchens, cooking equipment, dishwashers, and kitchenware including Bain Marie hot food units and Rational combi-ovens supplied and installed by Baker Refrigeration for hospitality, healthcare and defence clients, primarily through the Adelaide-based Baker Foodservice operation.
• Refrigeration Design, Installation and Commissioning Services End-to-end design and cost planning, engineering, project management, installation, and commissioning of refrigeration systems for new supermarket and food retail builds, refurbishments, and upgrades, delivered nationally by Baker Refrigeration's six branches.
• 24/7 Service, Maintenance and Spare Parts Round-the-clock service, preventative maintenance, and genuine spare parts supply for all installed refrigeration, ice, and foodservice equipment, delivered by qualified technicians across Baker Refrigeration's six Australian branches and a national 1800 hotline.

Quantifiable outcome

• 150+ transcritical CO₂ installations completed across Australia
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• CriocabincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023AJ Baker & Sons is the top dealer of Criocabin commercial refrigeration products, awarded Top Criocabin Dealer of 2023. Criocabin is an Italian manufacturer of display cases including the Enixe serve-over deli counter range. Baker distributes and installs Criocabin products across Australia.
• Manitowoc IcecoreTechnology or Integration · 24 June 1976Baker Refrigeration is the national importer and distributor of Manitowoc Ice machines, dispensers, and ice storage bins across Australia. The partnership began in 1976 when the first order was placed on 24 June 1976. In 2026 the company celebrated 50 years in partnership with Manitowoc Ice. The first machine was delivered to Shepards Hotel in Geraldton, WA (now Ocean Centre Hotel). Manitowoc Ice is a world-leading ice machine manufacturer recognised for innovation including the vertical evaporator patented in 1966.
• EptacoreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean partner for transcritical CO₂ refrigeration systems. Epta supplies ECO2 Mini condensing units and transcritical CO₂ plant systems through Baker Refrigeration in Australia. Baker has completed 150+ transcritical CO₂ installations using Epta technology. Partnership enables integrated CO₂ systems delivering refrigeration, heating, cooling, and hot water from one plant.
• Bonnet NévécoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor brand partnership for commercial refrigeration display cases, freezers, and refrigeration equipment. Baker supplies and installs the full Bonnet Névé range including Rock, Rock Eco Plus, Skylight, Curl, Latitude, Melo, Multifresh, and Aurora product lines.
• ALL-CHILLcoreTechnology or IntegrationOwn brand of plug-in refrigeration equipment. ALL-CHILL products include the Coastal upright glass door chiller (available in 2, 3, 4-door configurations), designed with R290 eco-friendly refrigerant and distributed exclusively through Baker Refrigeration's branch network.
• IarpmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian manufacturer of commercial freezers and refrigeration. Baker distributes Iarp products including the Glad dual-temperature freezer/chiller, Krea chest freezer, Stella chest freezer, and SVABA island case.
• ALL-ICEmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOwn brand of ice-related products distributed through Baker Refrigeration's national network.
• ALL-FROZENmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOwn brand of frozen food display solutions. Products include the Sunshine gelato case (serve-over format available in 6, 9, 12, 16, and 18 flavour configurations).
• MetcashcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMetcash is a key distribution partner for Baker Refrigeration's supply to the IGA independent supermarket network. Baker is a regular exhibitor at Metcash Food EXPO events (QLD, national) and Gold Partner in Metcash's virtual RCX expo. Metcash supplies supermarket buying programs to independent retailers across Australia.
• AUR (Australian United Retailers)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAUR is a buying group for independent retailers in Australia. Baker Refrigeration was named AUR 2024 Supplier of the Year (Non-Merchandise) and is a preferred supplier to AUR's network of independent supermarkets.
• FlexikitchmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorised dealer relationship in Victoria. Flexikitch resells and installs Baker-supplied refrigeration equipment to customers in Victoria including Foodworks West Melbourne, Aumanns Warrandyte, and The Leaf Store Hawthorn.
• Baker Foodservice AdelaidemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Adelaide branch of Baker Refrigeration specialises in commercial foodservice equipment including stainless steel commercial kitchens, kitchenware, and commercial refrigeration, serving the hospitality, healthcare, and defence industries in South Australia.
• UbertmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian manufacturer of heated display and hot food equipment. Baker distributes Ubert products including the Hot Island Merchandiser (HIM) and heated display cases.
• AHTmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal manufacturer of commercial refrigeration. Baker distributes AHT products as part of its comprehensive range of refrigeration equipment.
• KloppenbergmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer of commercial refrigeration display equipment. Baker distributes Kloppenberg products including gelato and display cases.
• TecfrigomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian manufacturer of display cases including dry aged meat cabinets and cake display solutions. Baker distributes Tecfrigo products in Australia.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hoshizaki Lancer: Hoshizaki Lancer is the Australian arm of Hoshizaki, a global leader in commercial ice machines, refrigerators, and display cases. Competes with Baker in ice machines, commercial refrigeration, and supermarket equipment in Australia.
• Stoddart Group: Stoddart is an Australian manufacturer and supplier of commercial kitchen, foodservice, and refrigeration equipment. Competes directly with Baker in supermarket, hospitality, and foodservice refrigeration supply and installation across Australia.

Broad incumbents

• Hussmann (Panasonic): Hussmann, a Panasonic company, is a global leader in supermarket refrigeration display cases and refrigeration systems. Overlaps directly with Baker's supermarket and food retail refrigeration offering, but at much larger global scale.
• Carrier Commercial Refrigeration: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration is a global manufacturer of refrigerated display cases and cold rooms for supermarkets and foodservice. Overlaps with Baker in supermarket and convenience store refrigeration at international scale.
• Heatcraft Worldwide Refrigeration: Heatcraft (a Lennox International brand) manufactures commercial refrigeration systems for supermarkets, foodservice, and cold storage. Competes with Baker's centralized CO2 plant and refrigeration system offerings at global scale.

Others

• Criocabin: Criocabin is an Italian manufacturer of serve-over deli counters and display cases. Baker is Criocabin's top dealer in Australia (2023 award); a technology/brand partner rather than a channel competitor.
• Epta: Epta is an Italian manufacturer of commercial refrigeration including transcritical CO2 systems, ECO2 Mini condensing units, and display cases. Baker is Epta's Australian distribution and integration partner; comparable in product technology though not direct channel competitor in Australia.

Regional players

• Skope Refrigeration: Skope is a New Zealand-based commercial refrigeration manufacturer with Australian distribution. Offers display cases, upright refrigerators, and freezers that compete with Baker's distribution lines in Australia, primarily from across the Tasman.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AJBakerAndSons
• Facebookfacebook.com/ajbakerandsons
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aj-baker-&-sons-pty-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/ajbakerandsons

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 Baker