1978 - 1979
THE COMPANY FRIGOBLOCK IS FOUNDED BY THE GROSSKOPF FAMILY
1978
Evaporator completely outside the loading space.


1978
Thanks to a hydraulic tilting system patented worldwide, the body height can be reduced by up to 300 mm.

Until 1978

Use of high-capacity refrigerant R22 for truck body temperatures down to -40 °C, giving 100% higher refrigeration capacity in comparison with the conventional R12 refrigeration systems. Making possible the replacement of uneconomical cooling by nitrogen to the largest possible extent.

Evaporator completely outside the truck body of rigids as well as of drawbar and articulated trailers. Pallet loading the full length and height of the loading space.

Thanks to a hydraulic tilting system patented worldwide, the body height can be reduced by up to 300 mm.

Powerful cross-flow fans with only 100 mm discharge height for double-deck loading up to bulkhead with 2,700 mm internal loading height.
 

 

Air discharge rate up to 18 m/s for uniform air and temperature distribution over the total body length, also without roof air duct.

Environmentally friendly and economic alternator drive of the refrigeration machine replaces the unreliable diesel, petrol fuel or hydraulic drives.

Reduction of compressor and engine speeds from 2,200 – 2,800 to 1,400 – 1,800 rpm results in10 dB(A) lower noise emission; operating life more than doubled.

Corrosion-resistant, self-supporting, heat-insulated and soundproofed plastic casing with aluminium supporting frame replaces the conventional steel sheet casing.

1979

FRIGOBLOCK refrigeration capacities and forced air circulation permit double pallet loading of ice cream and frozen food even with 2,500 mm vehicle width.
1980 - 1989
FIRST MULTI-TEMPERATURE TRUCKS WITH FRIGOBLOCK FLAT EVAPORATOR
1981
FRIGOBLOCK eutectic holdover system of plastic moulding.

1984
FRIGOBLOCK flat evaporator for the first multi-temperature trucks.

1985
Company moves to the new FRIGOBLOCK premises.

1980

Patented FRIGOBLOCK partition wall fan with automatic heating for 2-compartment trucks.

1981

FRIGOBLOCK eutectic holdover system made of plastic with 100% larger cooling surface and 50% lower weight compared to steel plates.

1982

FRIGOBLOCK L models with only 900 – 1200 rpm fan/compressor and engine speed. Thereby noise reduction by further 10 dB(A).

1984

FRIGOBLOCK flat evaporator for the first multi-temperature vehicles to transport temperature sensitive mixed products and products which cause tainting

1985

The new factory building is constructed and occupied in Essen, Weidkamp 274. Plant and equipment for expansion, quality assurance, research and development are expanded and optimized.

1987

Purchase of the transport refrigeration section of BBC-York, originally the market leader for hydraulic driven refrigeration machines and eutectic holdover systems.

1988

FRIGOBLOCK-SL models with 2-speed control (700/1,400 rpm) for even lower noise emission by another 5 dB(A).

1989

First roof duct fan system from FRIGOBLOCK for multi-temperature trucks, space-saving, economical and reliable.
1990 - 1999
START OF SERIES PRODUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY REFRIGERANT R410A
1990
Presentation of six low-noise trucks with soundproofed diesel generator sets.

1994
Start of series production with the environmentally friendly high-capacity refrigerant R410A.

1998
FRIGOBLOCK-DK models for large-volume truck-trailer and swap bodies.

1990

Presentation of six low noise and CFC-free trucks with reduced exhaust gas emissions and soundproofed diesel generator sets developed jointly with the Federal Environment Agency, as a basis for the limit values of the German environmental symbol „Blauer Engel“.

1992

The first manufacturer of transport refrigeration units worldwide to renounce the use of all fully halogenated CFCs.

1994

Start of series production with the environmentally friendly high-capacity refrigerant R410A, which, with a GWP value < 2500 is the only non-flammable, high-capacity refrigerant acceptable under long-term global environmental policies.

1997

First transport refrigeration machine with the flammable but environmentally harmless refrigerant propene (R1270).

1998

FRIGOBLOCK-DK models for large-volume truck-trailer and swap bodies, fully integrated in the roof, extra flat and extremely powerful, with Euro-2 diesel engine for the first time in transport refrigeration.
2000 - 2009
GLOBALLY FIRST TRANSPORT REFRIGERATION MACHINE WITH HYBRID DRIVE
2004
FRIGOBLOCK HD 25 - the world’s first transport refrigeration machine with hybrid drive.

2008
The DS 24 is equipped with a modern naturally aspirated diesel engine.

2000

Switching series production of the whole FRIGOBLOCK programme to the high capacity refrigerant R410A results in 50% higher refrigeration, heating and defrosting capacities and 10 to 20% less energy consumption when compared with other transport refrigeration machines.

FRIGOBLOCK roof evaporators RE with single discharge.

4-way-heat pump system now also for all multi-evaporator refrigeration machines. Extremely high refrigeration, heating and air capacities along with minimum energy consumption. Defrost and re-cooling within minutes.

2002

FRIGOBLOCK-DD model with two completely integrated evaporators. For double-deck semi-trailers with total loading height up to 3.60 m and two different temperature zones, down to -40 °C box temperature.
(Sold only in UK)

2004

Presentation of the FRIGOBLOCK HD 25 – the world’s first transport refrigeration machine with hybrid drive. Driven either by integrated Euro3 Mercedes-Benz CDI diesel engine or FRIGOBLOCK alternator from the truck engine.
Result:
  • 30 - 50 % less fuel consumption
  • 50 % more refrigeration, heating and air capacity
  • 400 - 500 kg more payload


2005

The FRIGOBLOCK HD 25 is field-tested by Kraftverkehr Nagel, ALDI Süd, Nestlé Schöller and Scharf Transporte. All results are positive and exceed expectations: In some cases, the HD 25 consumes up to 50% less fuel and provides up to 50% more refrigeration performance and distinctly lower emissions.

2006

The IAA in September 2006 marks the beginning of the series production of the FRIGOBLOCK hybrid refrigeration machine HD 25 for semi-trailers. As the field tests by several fleet operators show, the new FRIGOBLOCK hybrid drive system cuts fuel costs by up to EUR 4,500 a year ensuring a return on investment in less than 2 years assuming 2,500 hours of operation a year.

2007

FRIGOBLOCK enters the French market. For this, the company has set up its own distribution network. A large number of qualified service partners provide service throughout France.

2008

At IAA 2008, FRIGOBLOCK presents the concept of the high-performance refrigeration machine FK/FD 35 for the first time. The development of a new modular machine concept provides 30% more refrigeration capacity and 30% less energy consumption than the FK series at present.

The diesel alternator set DS 24 is equipped with a modern 4-cylinder-2.2-l direct-injection naturally aspirated Yanmar diesel engine. This high-volume engine meets the new European exhaust gas emission standards for stage IIIA industrial diesel engines.
2010 - TO DATE
SHAREHOLDER CHANGE, FIRST-EVER EXTERNAL CEO
2010
The meat producer Vion field-tests the high-capacity refrigeration machine FK 35.

2011
The Federal Ministry for the Environment awards to FRIGOBLOCK the first German refrigeration prize

2013
The new generation of high-performance refrigeration machines FK 25i / FK 35i with inverter technology.

2010

ALDI, EDEKA and VION field-test the high-performance refrigeration machine FK 35. The FK 35 has distinctly larger heat exchange surfaces, can be equipped with a 2-stage refrigeration circuit and up to 3 evaporators in a single housing. The rigid-mounted refrigeration machine generates up to 32,000 Watt refrigeration output and the inverter control saves up to 75 % fuel in comparison with a conventional diesel-driven refrigeration machine.

2011

The Federal Ministry for the Environment awards to FRIGOBLOCK the first German refrigeration prize for innovative, environmentally friendly developments in transport refrigeration. The award recognises the development of a transport refrigeration machine that combines inverter technology for the capacity control of refrigeration and the environmentally friendly refrigerant propene in a refrigeration system for the first time and thereby reduces CO2 by 75 %.

2012

In September 2012, Peter Großkopf joins the Advisory Council of the Company and Axel Kahsnitz takes over as the new CEO. Before that, Großkopf had acquired the company shares from the present minority shareholder. Before joining FRIGOBLOCK, Kahsnitz had been CEO of several companies in the electrical engineering, automotive and aviation industries.

2013

Series start of the new generation of high-performance refrigeration machines FK 25i / FK 35i with inverter technology and new water-cooled alternators. These machines are suitable for the truck manufacturer’s latest Euro-6 engines, consume distinctly less energy and provide higher refrigeration capacity. The inverter refrigeration machines have preset programmes for silent mode for night time deliveries or maximum defrost power.

FRIGOBLOCK HAS SET THE STANDARD IN TRANSPORT REFRIGERATION FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS

Thanks to numerous innovations and developments, FRIGOBLOCK represented the technology leadership in transport refrigeration for more than 40 years.

Since 2015, FRIGOBLOCK is part of TRANE TECHNOLOGIES. TRANE TECHNOLOGIES advances the quality of life by creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments.
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