Industrial Refrigeration Pros, also known as IR Pros, expanded into Canada through the acquisition of Prairie HVAC/R, a Winnipeg-area refrigeration, ice plant and mechanical solutions specialist with more than 20 years of experience. The transaction gives IR Pros its first operating company headquartered outside the United States and establishes its first Canadian operating company. Prairie HVAC/R, based in the Winnipeg region with a manufacturing facility in Grande Pointe, Manitoba, designs, builds, installs and services artificial ice plants, industrial refrigeration systems, commercial HVAC, controls and automation, alternative-energy systems and electrical infrastructure. The company also manufactures ENVIROFREEZE low-charge packaged ammonia chillers and RINK LINK remote ice-plant controls, which are used in arena and curling-facility applications. 

The acquisition adds Canadian manufacturing capability and cold-climate expertise to IR Pros’ platform, while giving Prairie HVAC/R customers access to IR Pros’ engineering, controls and compliance resources. Prairie HVAC/R is expected to retain its name, leadership and team, while the combined organizations plan to collaborate on cross-border projects and expand manufacturing capacity in Manitoba and across Canada. MLT Aikins LLP acted for Prairie HVAC/R on the transaction.