Metal Frio is a Brazilian multinational that manufactures and sells refrigerators, freezers, and coolers. It is one of the largest global manufacturers of Plug-In commercial refrigeration equipment.
In addition, Metal Frio is a market leader in Latin America and one of the fastest-growing manufacturers in the world in terms of net revenue.
Metal Frio's products are present in about 90% of Brazilian establishments that have Plug-In commercial refrigeration equipment.
Regarding Metal Frio's product portfolio, the company has over 350 models of refrigerators, vertical and horizontal coolers, and freezers of the Plug-In type.
In addition to the extensive portfolio, the company positions itself as a provider of complete solutions. Thus, Metal Frio offers a wide variety of services that involve the conceptualization of new products, manufacturing, distribution, and after-sales.
Through direct sales and distributors and commercial representatives located in 74 countries worldwide, Metal Frio supplies products to the largest global manufacturers of beverages and food.
Metal Frio operates through five industrial units, two of which are in Brazil, one in Turkey, another in Russia, and one in Mexico. Additionally, it has its own distribution center in the USA. In short, the company's operations occur through the following brands:
Metal Frio: Market leader in commercial refrigeration.
Klimasan: A leading brand in the Turkish market for beverage displays.
Caravell: A Danish commercial refrigeration brand that is among the most recognized and traditional in the world.
Derby: A European design brand that features innovative technology.
In addition to these brands, Metal Frio also operates through LifeCycle. In summary, LifeCycle is a company that is part of Metal Frio Solutions, offering maintenance, movement, parts replacement, and revitalization services for freezers and refrigerators.
Metal Frio was founded in 1960. Initially, the aim was to produce components for refrigeration systems.
However, shortly thereafter, the company's focus shifted to meeting the specific demands of beverage and ice cream manufacturers, who produced their own equipment.
In 1976, Metal Frio became the first company in Latin America to introduce vertical displays with anti-fog glass doors and the 'Frost FREE System.'
In 1989, Continental 2001, a manufacturer of household appliances and one of the leading Brazilian companies in stoves for domestic use, acquired a majority stake in Metal Frio.
By 1991, the German group Bosch Siemens Hausgeräte (BSH) bought Continental 2001 and the remaining stake in Metal Frio. Thus, Metal Frio became a division of Bosch Siemens Hausgeräte.
BSH invested heavily to make Metal Frio the first ecologically designed industrial unit in its sector throughout Latin America.
In 1992, Metal Frio was the first company to introduce automatic vending machines in Brazil through a partnership with Royal Vendors/Coinco and Polyvend.
Subsequently, BSH chose to transform Metal Frio into an independent company. Thus, in December 2001, it was established as a subsidiary called Metal Frio Solutions Ltda.
As a result, the assets related to Metal Frio's operations were transferred to Metal Frio Solutions Ltda. In 2004, BSH decided to sell Metal Frio. With the sale, the company began a new phase.
This is because the new shareholders aimed to transform Metal Frio into one of the world leaders in the Plug-In commercial refrigeration sector by 2010.
Thus, the new shareholders initiated a process of accelerated growth focused on expanding profit margins, reducing costs, increasing the efficiency of the value chain, product innovation, better corporate governance practices, and internationalization.
In 2006, through the creation of a joint venture with the OzLider group, Metal Frio established an industrial unit for manufacturing refrigerators in Turkey, aiming to serve the European market.
Also in 2006, Metal Frio purchased assets located in Denmark and Russia and inaugurated a new production platform to meet the growing demand of the Brazilian and Latin American markets.
The following year saw the opening of capital and the consequent listing on the Brazilian stock exchange. In the same year, the company acquired 100% of the share capital of Refrigeración Nieto, a Mexican commercial refrigeration company.
A few months later, Metal Frio increased its market share in Mexico by acquiring 83.3% of the total share capital of Enerfreezer.
By 2008, Metal Frio purchased 71% of the share capital of Senocak, which operates in the market for manufacturing and selling commercial refrigeration equipment in Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia.
In April 2008, phase II of the expansion of the Três Lagoas industrial unit was completed, and the following year phase III began.
In 2009, through an Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assembly, the reduction of capital in the amount of R$ 101.4 million was approved so that the losses incurred in 2008 could be absorbed.
Additionally, in 2009, Metal Frio was the first company in the Americas to develop refrigerators with CO2 gas and Removable Deck.
Finally, in 2010, Metal Frio announced an agreement with the Government of the State of Pernambuco and the Municipality of Vitória de Santo Antão for the construction of a new factory.
