Construction Business Review

KOOLJET Refrigeration Systems
Custom Designed Refrigeration Systems for Maximizing Cooling Efficiency

JD Wasir, Senior Vice President, KOOLJET Refrigeration SystemsJD Wasir, Senior Vice President
What do tomato and tuna fish have in common? Though quite different, they share a vital need for reliable refrigeration to maintain their freshness and quality. Like many perishables, from meats to dairy, their journey from farm and factory to our tables is preserved by KOOLJET Refrigeration Systems.

For over 20 years, KOOLJET has steadfastly risen to become a pivotal force in the food and agricultural industry, designing and manufacturing bespoke refrigeration solutions to foster freshness and sustainability. As it celebrates its 22nd anniversary, the company reiterates its commitment to engineering products that are not only tailored to meet individual client needs but are also environmentally friendly.

Founded to cater to the specific needs of the agricultural industry, KOOLJET first made its mark, serving titans like McCain Foods and Cavendish Farms. Its winning formula has always been about offering a one-piece Plug-N-Play type refrigeration system. These packaged systems are designed to be notably more efficient than conventional 2-piece split type refrigeration systems.

Designed to sidestep the need for expensive technicians, these units arrive pre-charged, and 100 percent tested & calibrated at clients’ location. The concept of packaged refrigeration systems and straightforward installation process results in substantial savings for the end users.

"Our systems are just like oversized window type air conditioners. All you need is an opening in the exterior wall where the unit can be mounted, once electrically hooked, they are ready to cool,” says JD Wasir, senior vice president of KOOLJET.

Over the years, KOOLJET diversified its offerings, venturing into commercial and industrial sectors. Its portfolio expanded to include blast freezers, hydro coolers, process chillers for breweries, wineries & medical industry, and specialty refrigeration systems. This diversity stands on a pillar of customization.

Maintaining optimum Relative Humidity (RH) is crucial in produce storage, as it minimizes the vapor pressure difference and moisture loss from fresh produce like potatoes, ensuring extended shelf life and favorable storage conditions. KOOLJET systems are optimally designed to reduce water loss from produce and maximize quality and value.

KOOLJET's dedication to preserving produce quality has benefited the agricultural sector and bolstered its reputation among farming communities. The company’s sales arm operates synchronously, with a sprawling network of representatives and distributors in the U.S. and Canada. Much of its growth can be attributed to word-of-mouth marketing, a testament to its strong reputation within the farming community and other sectors it serves.

One of KOOLJET’s notable projects included creating a freezer system that could keep tuna fish fresh at -76°F. When a seafood distribution company in Toronto needed an ultralow-temperature storage facility for imported tuna, they turned to KOOLJET. Its Dual-Kool technology was the best fit for their requirements. This technology consists of two completely independent refrigeration systems, each driven by its own compressor and built into a common refrigeration unit.

Our Plug-N-Play type systems are just like oversized window type air conditioners. All you need is an opening in the exterior wall where the unit can be mounted, once electrically hooked, they are ready to cool

While the seafood company was impressed with the system’s efficiency, their primary concern was reliability, as tuna is highly temperature sensitive. A freezer failure would be costly. The dual-circuit system provided a redundancy imperative to ensure a healthy bottom line. The new freezer was successfully designed and commissioned and has maintained the required temperature of -76°F.

KOOLJET anticipates a future flourishing with opportunities. Currently collaborating with giants like Pratt & Whitney and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), the company is embarking on a journey to grow exponentially, while remaining mindful of challenges like global warming and oscillating seasonal demands.