The Evolution of Commercial Refrigeration: A Look at True Refrigeration’s Innovation and Sustainability

Commercial refrigeration has come a long way since its inception in the 1800s. From iceboxes to modern HC refrigeration systems, the evolution of refrigeration has been instrumental in the growth of industries like pharmaceuticals, chemical processing and of course, food and beverage. One company that has been at the forefront of this evolution is True Refrigeration.

True Refrigeration was founded in 1945 by Robert Trulaske Sr. The company began as a small business that focused on manufacturing commercial refrigerators for local businesses in St. Louis, Missouri. Over the years, True Refrigeration has grown into a global leader in the industry, with a reputation for producing high-quality, reliable commercial refrigeration products.

One of the key factors that has contributed to True Refrigeration’s success is its commitment to innovation. The company has always been at the forefront of technological advancements in the industry, developing new products and solutions that are designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers. By remaining a privately owned company, despite its global scale, the company is uniquely placed in the industry to invest more in making sure it stays are the forefront of cooling technology.

In the early days of commercial refrigeration, ice was the primary means of cooling food and beverages. Iceboxes, which were essentially wooden cabinets lined with tin or zinc, were filled with blocks of ice that would keep food and drinks cold. The ice was typically delivered to homes and businesses by horse-drawn wagons, which would make daily rounds to replenish the supply. The impracticalities of this led to the development electric-powered refrigerators, first in homes, then in commercial applications.

As demand for commercial refrigeration grew, True was there, putting innovation front and centre, first in soft drink retail then later in the foodservice world.

As far back as the 1970s, True was already working on optimising energy-efficiency in commercial refrigeration, designing products which reduced energy consumption while still maintaining the same level of cooling power as traditional refrigeration systems. It’s an ongoing contest that we’re still at the forefront of today, continually updating the internal componantry of our products with the latest/greatest parts to maintain our reputation for leading on performance.

True Refrigeration continues to innovate and develop new products and solutions that are designed to meet the needs of businesses in a wide range of industries. In recent years, the company has focused on developing products that are more environmentally-friendly, with a particular emphasis on reducing GHG emissions and updated manufacturing processes.

One of the ways that True Refrigeration has achieved this is by developing refrigeration systems that use natural refrigerant gas. These refrigerants are much more environmentally friendly than traditional refrigerants like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are known to be potent greenhouse gases, and were commonly used in commercial cooling/heating until very recently. By using natural refrigerants, True Refrigeration is able to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its products, making them more sustainable and eco-friendly.

Overall, the evolution of commercial refrigeration has been a remarkable journey, with True Refrigeration still at the forefront of the industry. The company’s commitment to innovation and its focus on developing products that are more sustainable and eco-friendly have made it a leader in the industry, and it will undoubtedly continue to drive the evolution of refrigeration in the years to come.

Contact us today to discover the True difference.