Construction Business Review

Rolls Mechanical
The Cool Architects: Setting the Standard for Cold Storage Excellence

Jim Rolls, Rolls Mechanical | Construction Business Review | Top Cold Storage Construction CompaniesJim Rolls, Founder and President
The business of keeping things cool is rapidly heating up, driven by an increased focus on food safety management, transparency, and the imperative to address concerns about food waste. This surge in cold-chain storage construction necessitates staying ahead of the curve, and current challenges are compelling companies to adapt swiftly. The continually changing design criteria set forth by the EPA, coupled with new constraints from the Department of Energy regarding refrigerants, underscore the need for businesses to be at the forefront of design theory and technology. This demands a partner who can navigate the complexities of today’s regulatory environment and pioneer innovative solutions in a world where design criteria and technology are continually reshaping the refrigeration and mechanical systems landscape.

As a comprehensive construction firm specializing in the cold storage industry, Rolls Mechanical offers an extensive range of design-build solutions. It is adept at recognizing and navigating diverse state regulations and meticulously incorporates state-specific requirements into its designs to guarantee full compliance with local regulations. This attention to detail allows it to confidently stamp and seal documents, gaining swift approval from cities and states. Rolls Mechanical also works with Heatcraft Refrigeration to incorporate the newest technologies and designs into its projects, focusing on staying ahead of industry changes.
We excel in delivering cutting-edge solutions, from applications tailored for produce to medium and low-temperature environments for frozen products. Our expertise extends to working with the latest industry-approved refrigerants, collaborating directly with OEMs to integrate state-of-the-art equipment,” says Jim Rolls, founder and president of Rolls Mechanical.

The company designs cold storage solutions ranging from small applications to large warehouse projects, offering a turnkey approach for clients seeking comprehensive service from conception to completion. It collaborates with various specialists and internal teams to bring clients’ ideas to fruition, tailoring the project to their specific needs. Its expertise lies in understanding and seamlessly integrating with existing refrigeration systems and equipment, delivering standout solutions.

In the client engagement process, the company collaborates with clients to assimilate their requirements, align the design with their vision, and effectively manage costs within specified budget constraints. Simultaneously, it aims to ensure the design’s compliance with future standards. Rolls Mechanical emphasizes the importance of location and meticulously analyzes factors like climate, outdoor atmosphere, and geographical nuances to create designs that harmonize with the given surroundings. It follows an iterative process to refine the design based on the client’s feedback, ultimately arriving at a finalized design and budget that satisfy the client’s preferences.

With licenses in over 25 states across the United States and a track record of successful projects in diverse locations, from the southern regions along the Texas-Mexico border to the East Coast in Maryland, Rolls Mechanical has a wealth of experience. This extensive experience set the stage when the company was approached by a client who recently acquired an existing cross-docking facility in Laredo, Texas. They specialized in importing cucumbers from Mexico and required a facility to receive and process atmosphere-temperature cucumbers. Rolls Mechanical successfully designed a solution, providing 50,000 square feet of refrigerated storage to maintain a temperature of 35 degrees. This facilitated the breakdown of bulk shipments into production boxes, packaging, and palletizing for efficient cross-docking on the other side of the facility, enabling nationwide distribution.

We excel in delivering cutting-edge solutions, from applications tailored for produce to medium and low-temperature environments for frozen products. Our expertise extends to working with the latest industry-approved refrigerants, collaborating directly with OEMs to integrate state-of-the-art equipment


Rolls Mechanical has three decades of industry presence and a seasoned workforce, with over 50 percent of the employees having dedicated over 20 years to the organization. This longevity has cultivated a highly efficient and cost-effective operation, as the crews have honed their collaboration over the years and exhibit expertise in their respective fields. The company has a multi-tiered internal structure encompassing various levels between design and engineering and dedicated teams for installation, startup service controls, electrical work, and plumbing. This allows it to handle all aspects of a project, starting from design, and occasionally collaborate with external subcontractors to obtain competitive prices and quotes for specialized services like structural steel, roofing, cement, and excavation. This ensures the acquisition of competitive prices and quotes to facilitate the seamless completion of projects.

As a fully bonded, licensed, and insured specialty refrigeration contractor, Rolls Mechanical can undertake projects of any size with a specialization in large-tonnage refrigeration systems. Its versatility as a complete mechanical contractor distinguishes the company, as it offers integrated solutions that cover not just refrigeration design and installation but also heating, air conditioning, and the overall mechanical infrastructure for entire facilities. With a reputation for successfully navigating intricate and distinct refrigeration challenges, Rolls Mechanical stands out as a one-stop solution in the competitive landscape of specialty refrigeration contractors.