Certified Industrial Partners, Inc.

What Certified Industrial Partners, Inc. does

Certified Industrial Partners, Inc. (CIP) is a Kansas City, Missouri-based industrial services platform formed in 2024 as an extension of Preston Refrigeration (founded 1946). It operates as a nationwide network coordinating six independently owned companies — Preston Refrigeration (design-build, parts, and service; 150+ specialists), Panatrol Automation and Controls (industrial controls, heavy movable structures), North American Refrigeration (Southeast service and 24/7 emergency response), Highland Refrigeration (custom skid systems, marine industry), FieldTech Systems (condition-based maintenance monitoring), and Fehr Solutions (water treatment consulting) — under a single aligned standard. The company delivers design and engineering, construction and installation, service and maintenance, automation and controls, compliance and consulting, and process safety management (PSM) services primarily to industrial organizations in food and beverage, cold storage, and meat processing.

CIP's service portfolio spans four primary revenue streams: (1) industrial refrigeration services (design-build, installation, maintenance, electrical work) priced via custom quote; (2) training and certification programs including Operator 1/2/3, CIRO review, and 32-hour compliance courses, priced per attendee ($1,200–$2,200) through an online registration portal; (3) PSM compliance consulting including Process Hazard Analysis and ammonia-system regulatory reviews; and (4) OEM parts and service supply through Preston's expanding parts team. Technology differentiation rests on Preston's patented dry fan coil evaporators and pumped liquid recirculation systems, FieldTech's condition-based monitoring platform, and integration capabilities spanning automation, controls, and predictive maintenance.

The business model combines direct enterprise field sales (with a 'Request a Quote' CTA) and a channel/reseller layer (the partner network) to deliver project-based services nationwide. Customer segments are vertical-driven, prioritizing food and beverage, meat processing, and cold storage operators with ammonia refrigeration systems. Training is delivered by RETA Authorized Instructors (RAIs) with 25–30+ years of field experience, both in classroom and on-site formats, the latter requiring minimum 3–5 students per cohort. CIP is privately held, Missouri-incorporated, with no disclosed institutional funding or public listing. Leadership comprises CEO Brian Schnepf (also President and CEO of Preston Refrigeration; 23+ years industry experience), COO Joseph Guevel, CFO Emily Most, VP of Network Operations Doug Fraser (35+ years), and senior managers across training, PSM, HR, and strategic partnerships.

Name

Certified Industrial Partners, Inc.

Legal name

Certified Industrial Partners, Inc.

Website

https://ci.partners

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Certified Industrial Partners is a Kansas City-based industrial refrigeration network coordinating six partner companies to deliver design-build, maintenance, controls, compliance, and operator training services to food, beverage, and cold storage operators across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Refrigeration Services

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

Refrigeration & Cold Storage (Commercial/Industrial) (EDAOACAD)

Keywords

• Industrial refrigeration services
• Process safety management
• Refrigeration operator training
• Refrigeration design-build
• Ammonia refrigeration compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Refrigeration Services: Comprehensive services including design-build, construction and installation, service and maintenance, and electrical work for industrial refrigeration systems.
2. Training and Certification Programs: Industrial refrigeration training courses including Operator 1, 2, 3, CIRO certification prep, compliance training, and custom on-site training. Delivered nationwide through RAIs with 25-30+ years of experience.
3. Process Safety Management Consulting: PSM compliance consulting, facility evaluations, Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), and regulatory compliance services for ammonia refrigeration systems.
4. Parts and Service: Rapidly expanding parts and service team providing maintenance services and OEM parts supply for industrial refrigeration systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Certified Industrial Partners (CIP) operates as America's first nationwide industrial refrigeration network, uniting independently owned partner companies under a single standard. The company delivers industrial refrigeration design-build, construction and installation, service and maintenance, automation and controls integration, process safety management (PSM) compliance consulting, and operator training programs to industrial organizations across the United States.

Product overview

Certified Industrial Partners (CIP) is the first nationwide industrial refrigeration network, operating as a platform that brings together trusted refrigeration, controls, compliance, and training companies under one aligned standard. The portfolio consists of six partner companies: Preston Refrigeration (design-build and maintenance, founded 1946), Panatrol Automation and Controls (industrial controls), North American Refrigeration (Southeast service and emergency response), Highland Refrigeration (custom skid systems, marine industry), FieldTech Systems (condition-based maintenance monitoring), and Fehr Solutions (water treatment consulting). CIP provides unified services including automation and controls, construction and installation, design and engineering, compliance and consulting, process safety management, training, and service and maintenance. Training services are delivered through classroom, onsite, and on-demand formats covering Operator levels 1-3, CIRO certification preparation, RETA CARO/CRES/CRST reviews, and 32-hour compliance courses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Design and Engineering Services Expert engineering team providing customized industrial refrigeration solutions from initial concept through final installation for industrial organizations.
• Construction and Installation Services
• Service and Maintenance
• Automation and Controls Services
• Process Safety Management (PSM) Consulting
• CIP Industrial Refrigeration Operator Training Programs
• On-Demand On-Site Training

Quantifiable outcome

• Custom refrigeration upgrade saved over 25,000 cubic feet and increased cooling capabilities to 456 Tons of Refrigeration at -20°F
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Preston RefrigerationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA leader in industrial refrigeration, Preston excels in design-build projects and offers a rapidly expanding parts and service team. Founded in 1946, it serves as the headquarters for CIP and has grown to employ more than 150 refrigeration specialists providing in-house design-build and maintenance services across the U.S.
• Panatrol Automation and ControlscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialists in industrial controls, Panatrol brings unmatched expertise in heavy moveable structures and complex control systems. Headquartered in the Chicago area, Panatrol has delivered innovative solutions for nearly 50 years, from design to process management and engineering.
• North American Refrigeration CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServing the Southeast, North American Refrigeration focuses on delivering top-tier service and customized industrial refrigeration solutions. For more than 20 years, they have built a reputation for quality construction, effective preventative maintenance, and dependable 24/7 emergency service.
• Highland RefrigerationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned for industrial refrigeration solutions, Highland is the go-to expert for specialized skid systems with a strong foothold in the marine industry. Since 1999, Highland has delivered exceptional performance including ice machines with high-performance Danfoss components and BOCK compressors.
• FieldTech SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationA trusted copilot for industrial refrigeration systems, helping teams understand how their systems are operating. FieldTech provides clear insight and early warning, supports condition-based maintenance, reduces unplanned downtime, and helps organizations operate with greater confidence.
• Fehr SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFehr Solutions possesses specialized skills and knowledge to enhance system efficiency in water treatment programs without compromising performance. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Chicago, Fehr provides unbiased, chemical-free consultation focused on professional excellence and cost efficiency.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Johnson Controls: Global building and industrial solutions provider with HVAC and refrigeration service capabilities. Competes broadly with CIP in commercial/industrial refrigeration controls and service.
• Trane Technologies: Global HVAC and refrigeration manufacturer and service provider. Competes with CIP for commercial and industrial refrigeration service contracts, especially at multi-site enterprise accounts.
• Star Refrigeration: One of the largest independent industrial refrigeration contractors in Europe with a national service network. Comparable to CIP as a multi-site industrial refrigeration services platform with engineering and after-sales depth.
• GEA Group: Global industrial equipment manufacturer with a large refrigeration portfolio serving food processing and cold chain. Overlaps with CIP in industrial refrigeration equipment and service for food/cold-storage end markets.
• Emerson (Climate Technologies): Major supplier of refrigeration controls, valves, and condition-based monitoring — overlaps with CIP's Panatrol (controls) and FieldTech (monitoring) capabilities at both component and platform level.

Direct peers

• Source Refrigeration & HVAC: U.S. provider of industrial refrigeration and HVAC services, including design-build, service, and energy solutions. Direct competitor to CIP's industrial refrigeration services across food and cold-storage customers.
• Industrial Refrigeration Services (IRS): U.S. industrial ammonia refrigeration contractor offering design-build, service, and PSM support to food and cold storage operators. Directly comparable to CIP on service scope and target customer profile.

Others

• Danfoss: Global component supplier of refrigeration compressors, valves, and controls used across industrial refrigeration. Referenced explicitly by Highland Refrigeration as a key technology partner and adjacent to CIP's installed base.

Emerging players

• Colmac Coil Manufacturing: U.S. manufacturer of industrial heat transfer and refrigeration coils for cold storage and food processing. Comparable niche specialization in industrial refrigeration equipment adjacent to CIP's Preston/Highland skid system work.

Regional players

• Bassett Mechanical: Midwest-based mechanical contractor offering industrial refrigeration, HVAC, and plumbing services. Comparable to Preston Refrigeration's regional service model — relevant peer for CIP's Midwest anchor market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/certifiedindustrialpartners
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/certified-industrial-partners

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Certified Industrial Partners, Inc.