Penn Refrigeration: Ahead of the crowd

Source: Retail Exec

Date :11/12/2007 08:51:19

Walk-in refrigerator manufacturer Penn Refrigeration is the only one in its industry to provide nationwide delivery and installation by its factory mechanics.

Written and Produced by James Buchanan & Michael Magno

Even during the coldest days of winter America’s restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets need to keep produce and desserts cold and fresh.

Replacing the ice man is an industry of refrigerator manufacturers that serve industrial needs as opposed to the home consumer. For these large scale operations, a small reach-in will not cut the bill; they need something much larger – walk-ins.

Established in 1944, Penn Refrigeration Services Corporation has managed to not only survive the past 63 years, but thrive in this competitive market with annual revenues at approximately $7 million. Among the keys to success for this Wilkes-Barre, PA based company is providing unique services to its customers and a dedication to its employees.

“We are a family owned and operated company,” says Al Finarelli III, vice president of operations and an owner, “which is pretty much unheard of in the walk-in refrigerator industry.”

Currently the company provides its products to restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, stadiums, supermarkets, environmental chambers, hospitals, and nursing homes. Further, the company has a presence in every region of the U.S. as well as in Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

According to Finarelli, Penn’s most distinguishing customer service feature is that it is the only manufacturer of refrigerated walk-ins to offer nationwide delivery and instillation by the company’s own factory mechanics.

The company will deliver the unit in its own trucks rather than a common carrier, which cuts down on the risk of damage during delivery. The walk-in refrigerator will then be erected by Penn mechanics, which eliminates problems that could be caused by crews that are unfamiliar with the product and its instillation...

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