Company History

KPS Global® was formed in December 2015 by D Cubed Group LLC through the acquisition of Kysor Panel Systems from Manitowoc Company, Inc. and the Hill Phoenix Walk-ins Division from Dover Corporation. With a long history of acquisitions, the key to success is the knowledge base retained by the workforce that comprises the KPSG team.

1887

Jersey grocery store owner C.V. Hill wanted a better way to refrigerate perishables for his customers. C.V. built a dairy ice box that he sold for $75, and continued to sell as the newfound business: C.V. Hill Refrigerator Works.

1887

1889

Mr. Hill establishes his first manufacturing factory to produce coolers for C.V. Hill Refrigerators Works.

1889

1947

In another part of the country, Mr. Charles Needham begins a leading industry of walk-ins in his home garage.

1947

1956

Mr. Needham officially creates Charles Needham Industries Inc. and purchases a plot of land less than a mile away from where KPS Global Headquarters currently sits.

1956

1957

Bud Hewitt founded Kalt Manufacturing Company, Inc.

1957

1987

Following Mr. Needham’s death, Charles Needham Industries Inc. was purchased by Kysor Industrial Corporation forming Kysor//Needham.

1987

1994

Similarly, Hill Refrigeration is purchased by another well-known refrigeration manufacturer, Phoenix Refrigeration Systems, to form Hillphoenix.

1994

1994

Kysor Industrial, Co. sought opportunity to increase their revenue by purchasing the family owned business Kalt Manufacturing, Inc. Through this acquisition, they gained manufacturing facilities in Oregon, Arizona, and Indiana. Kalt Manufacturing, Inc. was then changed to also operate under the name Kysor//Kalt.

1994

1996

As business began to expand rapidly, it was decided to open a brand new Kysor//Needham facility in Piney Flats, Tennessee.

1996

1996

Cooler Technology is purchased in Puyallup, WA

1996

1997

Kysor Industrial, Co. was sold to Scotsman Industries, consolidating Kysor//Katt and Kysor//Needham to Kysor Panel Systems.

1997

1998

Kysor Panel Systems relocated its headquarters to Fossil Creek in Fort Worth, TX.

1998

2000

Food service giant and conglomerate Welbilt Corporation, a wholly owned entity of Berisford, PhL., courted Scotsman Industries and Kysor Panel Systems for acquisition for the purpose of creating the largest and strongest food service equipment organization in the world. Within the same year. Hillphoenix was also expanding rapidly through several acquisitions, one being the National Cooler Corporation in Southern California.

2000

2006

Kysor Panel Systems moves to its current location: 4201 North Beach Street.

2006

2008

Manitowoc, another conglomerate and manufacturer of walk-in freezers and refrigeration products, purchased Kysor Panel Systems and made us a division of Manitowoc Walk-ins. In 2009, Hillphoenix opened a brand-new walk-in division in Fort Worth, TX.

2008

2015

A private equity firm. D3 Group, acquired the Manitowoc Walk-Ins division and the Hillphoenix Walk-Ins division to form what we are currently know as today: KPS Global!

2015

2018

Acquired in November, Custom Cooler brings continuous line panels as well as an international customer base to the KPS Global portfolio.

2018