What began in 1946 as Russell Coil Co., manufacturing coils for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, has grown into a premiere brand of award-winning commercial refrigeration equipment.
Many of those early models are still working today. Check out the Russell Vintage Models Contest page for the winning entries and view the old models.
We want to thank our partners, sales representatives, and customers for their business all these years and for making Russell a trusted brand. We truly appreciate and value the partnership.
Join us in celebrating 75 years of innovation. Take time to Look Back at where we started, how far we’ve come and where we are heading.
What began in 1946 as Russell Coil Co., manufacturing coils for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, has grown 75 years later into a premiere brand of award-winning commercial refrigeration equipment. View the history and milestones in the timeline below…
Russell Coil Co. Founder, Lewis Russell, started the company in Santa Fe Springs, CA
Lewis Russell develops the first machine to allow variable fin spacing on a coil.
The All-Temp Low Profile Unit Cooler line is created and quickly becomes an industry standard. Updated All-Temp “B” model released in 1950.
Russell introduces Air Handling Units; Air Cooled Condensers (Belt-Driven Vertical Discharge – BDVD, Belt-driven Horizontal Discharge – BDHD and Direct Drive – RAC models); and several new unit coolers (2-Way, Panel, Standard, and Wedge) to add to their growing product portfolio.
ARDCO Glass acquires Russell Coil Co.
Introduces several new unit cooler models to add to the product portfolio (W,X,Y,Z Models, Low Velocity, Ceiling, Corner Ceiling, Two-Way Ceiling, Reach-in Freezer ERF Models, Low Temperature Water Defrost, Hot Defrost, and Louvered Coolers).
Russell moves to 60,000 sq. ft. facility in Brea, CA.
Russell expands product line to include compressorized units with the release of the RussCon and Russ E-Con condensing units.
Introduces several unit cooler models for warehouse applications including the Ultra-Temp and M-Line High Powered Industrial Unit Coolers; launches Eye-Beam Automatic Demand Defrost Control; RussMetic Outdoor Condensing Units, Mini RC Condensing Units; and air cooled condensers and air cooled fluid coolers.
The RUSS ALL-PAK™ is launched. It’s an all in one Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating System custom designed for convenience stores and fast food outlets.
Russell expands and opens new 90,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Yuma, AZ.
Russell changes its name from “The Russell Coil Company” to “Russell, a division of Ardco.” Introduces MultiCon Air Cooled Condensers.
Russell launches Fiberglass Evaporative Condensers and DCU Discus Condensing Units.
Russell increases its product portfolio with the release of the HC Series Centrifugal Air Cooled Condenser, Minicon Air Cooled Condensing Unit, MultiCon Air Cooled Fluid Coolers and MultiCon Computer Room Air Cooled Condensers.
Russell launches Ripening Room Product Coolers, specifically designed for storing and ripening bananas and tomatoes.
Russell introduces the Inter-Temp Medium Profile Unit Coolers and RussCon Discus 20 – 80 HP Condensing Units.
Russell celebrates 50th Anniversary.
New 200,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and warehouse facility opened in Scottsboro, AL. Navigator by Russell – Electronic Refrigeration Control launched.
Russell introduces Minicon R-Series Air Cooled Condensing Units and SAC & SEQ Small Air Cooled Condensers
Carrier sells Heat Transfer Products Group (Russell, Witt, Kramer, and ColdZone brands) to Monomy Capital Partners.
HTPG is sold to Rheem and joins Rheem’s family of brands as the commercial refrigeration segment of their business. Rheem invests in growing the product portfolio, increasing efficiency and quality in manufacturing, and moving the company towards more energy efficient and innovative solutions.
Next-Gen MiniCon ½ – 6 HP Air Cooled Condensers are launched. Models win a Silver in the Dealer Design Awards Program sponsored by The Air Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration News magazine.
Quantum Air™ Remote Air Cooled Condensers are introduced. The product is awarded a Gold in the Dealer Design Awards Program.
Next-Gen II 3-22 HP Condensing Units and Next-Gen All-Temp Low Profile Unit Coolers are added to the product portfolio.
QV-Series 15 to 100 HP Air Cooled Condensing Units™ are launched. The product is awarded a Silver in Dealer Design Awards Program.
HTPG announces the release of the EcoNet® Enabled Unit Coolers and EcoNet® Command Center developed in conjunction with Rheem specifically for commercial refrigeration applications. The product is awarded a Gold in the Dealer Design Awards Program.
Center Mount and Low Velocity Center Mount Unit Coolers are launched. Center Mount EcoNet Enabled Unit Coolers are awarded the Silver in the Dealer Design Awards Program.
Several new unit coolers are introduced that are engineered to meet the Department of Energy’s 2020 Annual Walk-in Energy Factor performance regulations: The Medium Profile and Heavy Duty Unit Coolers designed for medium to large walk-in coolers and freezers, and the Slim-Temp ASLA/ASLE Unit Coolers specifically designed for cooling small walk-in coolers and freezers, and display cases. Slim-Temp ASLA/ASLE Unit Coolers are awarded a Bronze in the Dealer Design Awards Program.
Warehouse Unit Coolers designed exclusively for use in walk-in coolers and freezers 3,000 sq. ft and larger are also launched.
Russell celebrates 75 years of innovation.
View past product brochures, company brochures, and advertisements from the 1950s to present by clicking on the links below.
What began in 1946 as Russell Coil Co., manufacturing coils for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, has grown 75 years later into a premiere brand of award-winning commercial refrigeration equipment.
The company introduced the All-Temp Unit Cooler in 1948, which quickly became the industry’s all-purpose, low profile unit cooler for small to medium walk-in coolers and freezers. It has undergone several redesigns but still remains a top performer today with the Next-Gen All-Temp Low Profile Unit Cooler.
In 1967, Russell Coil Co. was acquired by Ardco Glass Company. Russell became a division of the Heat Transfer Products Group division. The company continued to expand and released numerous new unit coolers, condensers and other commercial refrigeration equipment. Check out the historical timeline for achievements and milestones.
In 1997 and 2010, HTPG and its brands, Russell, Witt, Kramer and ColdZone, went through two additional ownership and management changes. In 2013, HTPG was sold to Rheem and joined Rheem’s family of brands as the commercial refrigeration segment of their business. Rheem invests in growing the product portfolio, increasing efficiency and quality in manufacturing, and moving the company towards more energy-efficient and innovative solutions.
The company continues to create new models designed to increase efficiencies, performance, sustainability, and serviceability. In 2016, HTPG wins its first product design award for the Next-Gen MiniCon ½ to 6 HP Condensing Unit, a Silver in the Dealer Design Award Program sponsored by The Air Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration News magazine. This kicks off six consecutive years of Dealer Design Awards (DDA) wins for product design, performance, application flexibility and service features. Check out the award-winning models and our environmental efforts on our Sustainability webpage.
We would not be where we are today if it were not for our partners, sales representatives and customers that have stood by us all these years to make Russell a trusted brand. We are very grateful for your partnership. The passion and dedication of our employees have also brought us to a new level of excellence. We are excited to see where we’ll be in the next 75 years.
View historical company brochures by clicking on the document image.
Take a look back to view vintage products, old price lists, and current products. Click on the document image to view.
Take a look at some of the Russell advertising from the 1970s to today by clicking on the document image.
All-Temp Unit Coolers Ad 1976
Click to ViewRussell Eye-Beam Automatic Demand Defrost Control System Ad circa 1980s
Click to View“Russ-E-Con Worth its weight in gold” Prospector Ad circa 1980s
Click to ViewRusspack Condensing Unit Packages Ad circa 1980s
Click to ViewRussell System “Convenience is in store for you” Direct Mail Brochure Circa 1980s
Click to ViewRussell Approach Ad circa 1980s
Click to View“Can you replace a CFC with an ozone-friendly refrigerant…” Ad 1993
Click to ViewColdsaver Ad 1993
Coldsaver Ad 1993
Click to ViewThe Refrigeration Equipment Leader Ad 1983
Click to ViewRussell Complete Refrigeration Systems Flyer 1993
Click to View“We make it easy to get the big heavy ones up there” Ultra-Temp Ad 1994
Click to ViewR134a, HP-62, AZ-50 Refrigeration Sytems Regional Ad 1995
Click to ViewSierra Refrigeration Systems “Here’s a real refrigeration advancement…” Ad 1995
Click to ViewSierra Refrigeration Sytems Buy One Get One 2-page Ad 1995
Click to View“We’re Saving a Bundle on Refrigeration” Sierra Refrigeration Systems Ad and Article 1998
Click to View“My Customers are Saving A Bundle” Sierra Refrigeration Systems Ad 1998
Click to ViewHigh Sierra Systems Flyer 1998
Click to ViewSierra Product launch promotion flyer 1995
Click to ViewRussell Coil 4-product Ad circa 1995
Click to View“Ready. Set. Cold” All-Temp & Next-Gen MiniCon Ad 2015
“Ready. Set. Cold” All-Temp & Next-Gen MiniCon Ad 2015
Click to View“Are you ready for Title 24? We are!” Ad 2015 & 2016
Click to View“Cooling Redefined” Quantum Air Remote Air Cooled Condensers DDA Award Ad 2017
Click to View“ All-Purpose Cool” Next-Gen All-Temp Low Profile Unit Coolers Ad 2017
Click to View“Walk-In Cool” Next-Gen MiniCon & Next-Gen All-Temp DDA Award Ad 2018
Click to View“Accessible Cooling” QV-Series Condensing Units with DDA Award Ad 2018
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