NORTH PRAIRIE, WI — Zero Zone Inc., a manufacturer of display cases for frozen foods and refrigerated products headquartered here, has acquired the assets of Systematic Refrigeration Inc., Ramsey, MN, a manufacturer of parallel racks, mechanical refrigeration housing, and related technology. The new organization, Zero Zone Refrigeration, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zero Zone Inc. and operates as an independent company.

The acquisition positions Zero Zone to offer customers, such as supermarket chains, a full line of refrigeration products from mechanical housing, to racks, to display cases. In the supermarket sector in recent years, manufacturers have been promoting their ability to offer full-service, one-stop shopping for mechanical refrigeration needs.

In announcing the acquisition, Zero Zone president Jack Van Der Ploeg said, “Like Zero Zone, Systematic Refrigeration has developed a reputation as an innovator and leader in providing refrigeration solutions to customers. Our companies have similar values, customer service philosophies, and a common customer base. Combining refrigeration capabilities with our product offerings allows us to better match display cases and refrigeration systems for enhanced performance and more customer value.”

The Systematic name is being dropped and that company’s president, Ted Mateski, becomes Zero Zone vice president in charge of operations at the 80,000-sq-ft facility in Ramsey. Van Der Ploeg said Zero Zone now has 220 employees at the North Prairie and Ramsey locations.

Sales for the new company are combined with Zero Zone’s network of independent sales representatives under the direction of David Morrow, national sales manager.

For more information, contact 800-247-4496; www.zero-zone.com (website).

Publication date: 03/04/2002