Serving the transportation industry since 1964
About the Transport Refrigeration Family
Founded in 1964, Transport Refrigeration has grown into a family of companies serving the transportation industry through Thermo King dealerships, fleet services, refrigerated rental and leasing, truck equipment, wireless technology, and parts support.
Transport RefrigerationThermo King dealerships for refrigeration equipment, parts, service, trailer repair, and technical support.
Transport Refrigeration ServicesNationwide fleet maintenance and management for commercial transportation operations.
CoolFleet LeasingRefrigerated trailer rental, leasing, and portable cold storage solutions.
Transport Truck EquipmentCommercial truck and van equipment, installation, service, and repair.
Transport WirelessWireless door-switch controls for refrigerated fleets.
CabComfortDirectOnline parts for cab climate control, APUs, trailers, and accessories.
Thermo King Dealerships
Transport
Refrigeration
Founded in 1964, Transport Refrigeration, Inc. (TRI) has grown from a Wisconsin-based Thermo King dealership into one of the manufacturer's most recognized dealership organizations in North America. For more than six decades, we have provided the equipment, parts, service, and technical expertise needed to support refrigerated transportation fleets of all sizes.
Authorized Thermo King Dealer
As an authorized Thermo King dealer, TRI specializes in the sales, installation, maintenance, and repair of transport refrigeration equipment and auxiliary power systems. From independent owner-operators and regional carriers to some of the nation's largest transportation fleets, our customers depend on us to keep their equipment operating and minimize costly downtime.
Since 1964
Our History
and Growth
Transport Refrigeration began in 1964, providing Thermo King equipment sales and service to customers throughout Wisconsin. As the transportation industry expanded and refrigeration systems became more advanced, TRI grew alongside its customers, adding facilities, service capabilities, and technical resources to meet increasing demand.
Our expansion into Arkansas in 2005 extended the company's operations beyond the Midwest. Additional investments included opening a Tomah, Wisconsin location in 2016 and completing a new service facility in Mosinee in 2018.
More recently, TRI opened a dedicated trailer repair facility in Appleton in 2022, established a centralized parts distribution warehouse in 2024, and expanded into the Milwaukee market with a new Oak Creek location that same year. In 2026, TRI is expanding into northern Illinois with the launch of our Rockford location.
These investments have strengthened our ability to serve customers across a larger geographic area while increasing service capacity, improving parts availability, and supporting the growing technical requirements of modern transportation equipment.
Innovation
Innovation That Helped Shape the Industry
TRI's history extends beyond traditional dealership operations. Over the years, our company has helped develop and implement refrigeration solutions that have influenced the transportation industry.
In 1999, TRI participated in the development and deployment of multi-temperature refrigerated trailers for a major national fleet. This project helped advance the ability to transport products requiring different temperature settings within a single trailer, providing greater flexibility for large-scale distribution operations.
One of our most significant accomplishments followed in the early 2000s with the development of the original TriPac Auxiliary Power Unit (APU).
Developed at TRI's De Pere, Wisconsin operation, the TriPac provided an alternative to running a truck's primary engine to supply cab heating, cooling, and electrical power. Manufacturing began at TRI in 2003, and Thermo King acquired the technology in 2005.
The TriPac went on to become one of the industry's most recognized auxiliary power systems, helping truck operators reduce engine idling, fuel consumption, and unnecessary engine wear.
The development of the TriPac remains a defining accomplishment in TRI's history and demonstrates the technical knowledge and practical experience that have contributed to our company's success.
Recognition
Recognized
for Excellence
Over the years, TRI has earned numerous awards from Thermo King recognizing dealership performance, aftermarket parts operations, customer service, and technical expertise.
Our most significant recognition came in 2019 and 2024, when TRI was named Thermo King's North America Dealer of the Year, the manufacturer's highest annual dealership honor.
In addition to these awards, TRI has received multiple Regional Dealer of the Year honors, consecutive Aftermarket Parts Dealer of the Year awards in 2022 and 2023, and several individual awards recognizing our service managers and technicians.
Our technical staff has also earned national recognition. In 2023, a TRI technician won Thermo King's inaugural national Top Tech competition, with TRI earning another podium finish in 2024.
These accomplishments reflect the experience of our employees and the investments we have made in technician training, service operations, parts support, and customer relationships.
Dealership Support
Complete Transport Refrigeration Support
Our dealership operations provide customers with comprehensive support throughout the operating life of their transport refrigeration equipment.
From selecting and installing new equipment to performing preventive maintenance, diagnosing technical problems, and completing major repairs, TRI has the personnel, facilities, and resources to support refrigerated transportation operations.
Our capabilities include transport refrigeration equipment sales, installation, diagnostics, warranty service, preventive maintenance, repair, and replacement parts. We also support Thermo King auxiliary power systems and provide trailer repair services through our expanding service operations.
Parts availability remains a major focus of our business. In addition to maintaining inventory at our dealership locations, TRI has invested in centralized parts distribution to improve inventory availability and support both our service departments and customers.
Whether a customer operates a single refrigerated vehicle or manages a large fleet, we understand the importance of equipment reliability and having access to knowledgeable service when problems occur.
Looking Ahead
Building on More Than 60 Years of Experience
Transportation equipment has changed considerably since TRI began operating in 1964. Refrigeration systems have become more sophisticated, diagnostic technology has advanced, and fleets face increasing demands for efficiency, reliability, and equipment availability.
TRI continues to invest in the facilities, tools, training, and technical capabilities needed to support those changes. Our commitment extends from conventional refrigeration equipment to newer electric systems, connected technologies, and the changing service requirements of modern fleets.
As part of the Transport Refrigeration family of companies, TRI combines more than six decades of dealership experience with the resources and expertise of a growing transportation service organization.
While our operations have expanded considerably since 1964, our focus remains the same: providing dependable equipment, experienced technicians, and the service our customers need to keep their fleets moving.
Transport Refrigeration Services
Nationwide Fleet
Maintenance & Management
Since 2006
Established in 2006, Transport Refrigeration Services (TRS) is a nationwide fleet maintenance and management company operating as part of the Transport Refrigeration family of companies.
What began at a single location has grown into an organization with approximately 600 technicians across 30 locations in 18 states. TRS was founded to provide commercial fleets with specialized technical support and the experience of an established company in managing complex transportation maintenance operations.
Today, our capabilities extend well beyond equipment repairs. From staffing and managing entire maintenance departments to overseeing preventive maintenance programs, parts inventories, and outside service providers, TRS can assume responsibility for nearly every aspect of a fleet's maintenance operation.
Dedicated maintenance management
Fleet Maintenance Built Around Your Operation
No two fleet operations have exactly the same requirements, and we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
TRS specializes in dedicated fleet maintenance management, including the staffing and operation of captive shops. Our services can range from managing an entire maintenance department to providing specialized support focused on preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and asset utilization.
We handle the responsibilities that come with running these operations, including employee recruitment, training, staffing, scheduling, parts purchasing and inventory management, vendor coordination, and financial oversight.
Our dedicated in-house recruiting team helps fill specialized technician positions, while our operations teams manage the daily demands of keeping equipment available. Depending on the fleet's requirements, services can be provided around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We also monitor the performance measures that matter to the operation, including equipment downtime, maintenance compliance, repair costs, technician productivity, and asset utilization. Our KPIs are developed around the customer's objectives so that our performance is measured against their operational needs.
Fleet service capabilities
All Makes and Models.
Complete Fleet Support.
TRS services all makes and models of commercial trucks, trailers, auxiliary power units (APUs), yard spotters, fleet vehicles, and transport refrigeration equipment.
Our technicians perform everything from routine inspections and preventive maintenance to advanced diagnostics, engine and transmission repairs, electrical work, welding, fabrication, and tire service.
Not every repair needs to be completed in-house. For specialized work, including major accident damage and repairs requiring outside expertise, TRS can coordinate qualified vendors and oversee the process through completion.
This flexibility allows us to concentrate resources where they provide the greatest value while maintaining responsibility for the overall condition and availability of the fleet.
Technical support
Experienced Technicians.
Dedicated Technical Support.
Our technicians have access to manufacturer training and the resources of an in-house Technical Services team that provides technical assistance, troubleshooting support, and ongoing training across our locations.
This combination of field experience and dedicated technical support helps our teams diagnose complex problems, maintain current equipment knowledge, and support a wide range of vehicle technologies and manufacturers.
With an established national presence and decades of experience within the Transport Refrigeration family of companies, TRS provides the people, resources, and management expertise needed to support commercial fleet operations.
Whether the priority is reducing downtime, controlling maintenance costs, improving equipment utilization, or managing an entire shop, we build our services around the needs of the operation.