Thermo King, a brand of Trane Technologies and leader in sustainable transport temperature control solutions, has celebrated 50 years of innovation and manufacturing excellence at its Arecibo, Puerto Rico facility. Marking this significant milestone, the company donated $10,000 to The Food Bank of Puerto Rico, reflecting its deep commitment to community support.
Since its establishment in 1974, Thermo King’s Arecibo facility has been a cornerstone in delivering advanced transport refrigeration technology. The team has produced over 1 million trailer units, ensuring the safe transport of fresh food and medicine across North America. By adhering to high standards of quality and reliability, each unit is built to customer specifications, offering thousands of configurations and over 100 options, including Smart Power for electric standby.
Community Engagement and Support
Thermo King Arecibo employees are actively engaged in community outreach, volunteering for nonprofit organizations that assist the elderly, children, and young mothers. The $10,000 donation to The Food Bank of Puerto Rico was part of Thermo King’s We Move Food program, which was launched in 2018 to increase access to fresh, nutritious food, reduce waste, and support nutrition education for families facing food insecurity.
In addition to the recent donation, the Arecibo team regularly contributes to other local causes. In 2023, they donated $13,000 to the United Way of Puerto Rico and the CAP Foundation for young oncology patients, and they provide Thanksgiving meals annually to those experiencing homelessness.
Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability is a key focus at Thermo King Arecibo, leading to multiple achievements. The facility has won the Puerto Rico EPA award for five consecutive years, reduced energy use by 10% by 2023, and cut CO2 emissions by 2,673 metric tons since 2020. In 2022, the plant transitioned to a lower global warming potential refrigerant, reducing the carbon footprint of long-haul fleets by nearly 50%. Additionally, the facility has diverted 239 tons of non-hazardous waste from landfills, converting it to energy instead.
Resilience and Innovation
The Arecibo team’s resilience was put to the test in May 2022 when a historic EF-1 tornado severely damaged their main assembly building. To maintain production and minimize customer disruption, the team divided trailer unit assembly across multiple buildings on the campus, ensuring the continuity of over 40,000 trailer units during the 17-month rebuilding period.
In line with their commitment to continuous improvement and sustainability, the team created a new mixed-model production line featuring the first continuously moving line within Trane Technologies. This innovation enhances productivity by approximately $0.75 million per year and lays the groundwork for introducing more electrified products to the cold chain, aligning with Thermo King’s sustainability goals.
Industry Leadership
Thermo King Arecibo has been instrumental in delivering the Precedent trailer transport refrigeration unit (TRU) since its launch in 2013. This unit was the first in the industry to achieve Evergreen California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 engine compliance, setting new benchmarks for environmental standards.
As Thermo King Arecibo celebrates its 50th anniversary, the facility's unwavering commitment to quality, community engagement, and sustainable practices continues to drive industry progress and positively impact both the local and global community.
