Hussmann Timeline


1906    Company founded in St. Louis, Missouri by Harry L. Hussmann

  • First patented meat display case
  • First frozen food case for Clarence Birdseye
  • Introduced refrigeration systems specifically designed for food stores

1935    First self-service frozen food display case

  • First self-service display cases for meat, dairy, produce
  • Introduced a mechandiser that keeps temperature near zero in an open display
  • First dairy multi-deck merchandiser
  • Established Canadian sales and service organization

1951    First fully automatic defrost display cases introduced

  • Introduced multi-deck frozen food display fixtures 
  • Introduced Big System for total-store refrigeration

1967    Completed new St. Louis plant – over 1,600,000 sq. ft. under roof.  Still the world’s largest food store equipment manufacturing facility.

1967    Acquired American Refrigeration Products in Mexico

1968    Introduced foamed-in-place insulation

1969    Acquired manufacturing operation in Gloversville, New York

1972    Introduced revolutionary dual air curtain system for meat cases

1976    Acquired Krack Corporation in Addison, Illinois

1982    Developed SuperPlus Refrigeration System

1982    Opened Infrisa in Monterrey, Mexico

1984    Introduced La Gallerie’ product line of curved glass cases

1990    Introduced Vision Merchandisers in North America

1993    Introduced the PROTOCOL refrigeration system

1994    Introduced the Accent Series of Self-Contained Specialty Merchandisers

1995    Introduced Impact Merchandisers

1995    Began Luoyang/Hussmann, a Joint Venture manufacturing operation in Luoyang, China

1996    Introduced a line of Impact low temperature models

1997    Signed Joint Venture agreement with Fast Frio in Londrina, Brazil

1997    Introduced Impact Convertible merchandisers for all medium temperature applications

1998    Acquired McAlpine Triangle Australasia in Australia and New Zealand

1998    Opened a new state-of-the-art refrigeration manufacturing plant in Suwanee, Georgia, near Atlanta

1999    Introduced ASC service specialty cases with patented elliptical design

1999    Acquired Groupo Koxka in Spain, making Hussmann the third largest company of its kind in Europe

2000    Introduced Innovator Doors for reach-ins

2000    Hussmann was acquired by Ingersoll Rand and became part of the Ingersoll Rand Climate Control Technologies Sector

2001    Acquired Precision Refrigeration, Inc., Taylor Industries, Inc., and National Refrigeration Services, Inc. (NRS)

2002    Introduced Innovator II Doors for greater energy efficiency in reach-ins    

2002    Introduced NIM Frozen Novelty Spot Merchandiser

2003    Introduced Impact Elite Merchandisers

2003    Introduced CR3 Service Deli Case with self-service deli front

2003    Introduced Protocol HE (High Efficiency)

2003    Introduced Hussmann Refrigeration System Solution – parallel system optimized for reliability and performance

  • Introduced Always*Clear Reach-In Doors that prevent fogging when opened and closed under normal shopping conditions

2004    Introduced CID Mini Specialty Merchandiser

2004    Introduced Impact Excel Merchandisers for medium temperature

2004    Introduced Hussmann NuLook Program

2004    Announced Hussmann Assurance Plans for comprehensive equipment and service solutions

2004    Introduced BCH Bottle Cooler with cassette refrigeration

  • Introduced Impact Excel Merchandisers for low temperature

2005    Hussmann helped celebrate the 100 year anniversary of its parent company, Ingersoll Rand

2005    Introduced the Q-Series specialty merchandisers

  • Hussmann celebrated its 100 year anniversary

2006    Introduced the RGDC Bump Out specialty merchandiser

2006    Introduced LED lighting for reach-in merchandisers

2006    Introduced Impact Excel Contour Styling