KPS Global and Everidge Finalize Merger, Forging a Cold Chain Powerhouse

FORT WORTH, TX & PLYMOUTH, MN – August 04, 2026 – The landscape of the American cold storage and controlled environments industry has been significantly reshaped with the finalization of a strategic partnership between KPS Global and Everidge. KPS Global, a majority-owned company of Germany's Viessmann Generations Group, has officially completed the transaction to combine the two complementary businesses, effectively creating a new market heavyweight. The combined, privately held entity now boasts over 1,700 employees and a formidable network of 12 manufacturing facilities across the United States, positioning it to translate its expanded scale into commercial dominance.

This move represents a critical commercialization milestone, moving beyond a simple acquisition to a strategic integration designed to dominate a rapidly growing sector. For industry analysts and customers, the finalized deal signals more than just consolidation; it marks the emergence of a single-source provider with an unparalleled national footprint and a deep, diversified product portfolio.

A New Powerhouse in a Booming Market

The timing of this merger could not be more opportune. The global cold chain logistics market, valued at over $286 billion in 2023, is projected to surge to more than $710 billion by 2032, driven by relentless demand for perishable goods, the expansion of the pharmaceutical industry, and the rise of e-commerce for groceries and meal kits. Within this high-growth environment, the KPS Global-Everidge entity is not just getting bigger—it's getting smarter.

The partnership masterfully combines two distinct but complementary market strengths. KPS Global has traditionally been a dominant force serving large food retailers with its end-to-end custom enclosure solutions. Now, it integrates Everidge's deep penetration in the foodservice, convenience store, and regional grocer markets. This strategic blend creates a highly diversified customer base, insulating the new entity from fluctuations in any single segment and providing extensive cross-selling opportunities. The combined company now stands as a more formidable competitor to established players like Nor-Lake and Kolpak, capable of offering a more comprehensive suite of solutions across a wider array of market segments.

The Strategic Blueprint: Synergies and Integration

“Now the real fun begins!” said Mike Eakins, CEO of KPS Global. “When we announced this partnership, we outlined the benefits our customers would experience, and it’s time for us to fulfill that promise.”

That promise rests on a meticulously planned integration strategy focused on tangible synergies. The most immediate and impactful advantage is logistical. With 12 manufacturing plants strategically located across the country, the company can now manufacture products significantly closer to its customers. This directly addresses a major industry pain point—high freight costs—while simultaneously improving delivery times and service responsiveness. This national footprint is a powerful commercial asset that few competitors can match.

On the product front, customers now gain access to a true one-stop shop. KPS Global’s expertise in custom walk-in solutions and installation services is now paired with Everidge’s extensive portfolio, which includes well-known brands like CrownTonka, International Cold Storage (ICS), and LoTemp Doors, covering everything from walk-in coolers and freezers to specialized cook-chill systems and mobile cold storage. This integration allows the company to service a project from initial design to final installation with a single point of contact.

Crucially, this is not a hostile takeover but a strategic blending of leadership and culture. The appointment of Everidge’s Chris, Mike, and Stephen Kahler to the KPS Global Board of Directors and leadership team underscores this. As significant minority shareholders, the Kahler family brings decades of industry experience and an entrepreneurial spirit that will be vital for navigating the next phase of growth. “This is a defining moment in our company’s history,” noted Chris Kahler, CEO of Everidge, highlighting the excitement of “bringing together two great organizations to better serve our customers.”

The Viessmann Vision: A Global Ecosystem Takes Root

Behind this North American consolidation is the quiet but powerful influence of its parent company, Viessmann Generations Group. Following the 2024 sale of its climate solutions business to Carrier Global, the German family-owned company has pivoted to a purpose-driven investment strategy focused on “co-creating living spheres for generations to come.”

The KPS Global-Everidge partnership is a cornerstone of this vision and a major expansion of Viessmann’s “Clean & Cold platform” into the North American market. Building on its own European heritage in cold room production dating back to 1974, Viessmann sees the cold chain as essential to its mission. Reliable cold storage is fundamental to “securing food availability” and “promoting health & well-being” by protecting the integrity of food and pharmaceuticals. This merger, therefore, is not just an industrial transaction but a direct contribution to Viessmann's broader ecosystem of impactful businesses.

Unlike traditional private equity firms focused on short-term returns, Viessmann operates with a long-term investment horizon. This family-office approach provides the stability and patience needed for sustained investment in research and development. It empowers KPS Global to pursue leading-edge, sustainable solutions that may require longer development cycles, a strategic advantage that will be critical for future market leadership.

From Promise to Profit: The Customer and Innovation Roadmap

For customers, the promises made by leadership are expected to translate into concrete commercial benefits. The expanded product portfolio and integrated service offerings simplify procurement and project management. The optimized manufacturing footprint promises not just cost savings on freight but also enhanced reliability and speed, critical factors in a market where timing is everything.

The true long-term value, however, will be realized through innovation. With the combined scale and the backing of Viessmann, the new KPS Global is poised to become an R&D powerhouse. The innovation roadmap will likely be heavily influenced by Viessmann’s sustainability-focused mission and pressing market trends. Future advancements are expected to center on smart refrigeration systems integrated with IoT for real-time temperature monitoring and compliance, advanced energy-efficient insulation materials, and the adoption of sustainable refrigerants to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

By uniting their strengths, KPS Global and Everidge have moved beyond the prototype stage of their partnership and are now positioned to deliver a new generation of profitable, sustainable, and innovative solutions to the entire cold chain industry.