Pioneering Facilities Engineering, Maintenance & Operations Since 1879
Kroeschell built its reputation as a trailblazer in the field. It maintained its name by solving complex facility management challenges and by treating customers like family.
About us
Since 1879, our company has evolved from four German brothers creating boiler systems at the turn of the century into a full-scale general contracting, building maintenance and operations leader with an eye on the future. Yet, our mission remains the same: To support the full life cycle of facilities and create safe, sustainable, and top-performing building environments. Our deep expertise and family-like atmosphere allows Kroeschell to rise to any challenge and provide innovative facility solutions that consistently exceed the industry standard. We’re the facility engineering, maintenance and operations partner you can count on. That’s the Kroeschell Advantage.
Our History
Kroeschell’s story starts on the busy streets of Chicago in 1879.
The Kroeschell Brothers Company began as boiler manufacturers and piping contractors, producing boilers, tanks, stacks and steam separators, as well as designing and installing new systems. While Kroeschell established its roots in boiler manufacturing, a new innovation was about to sweep the American scene: Cooling.
The Kroeschell Brothers were among the first to embrace cooling technology and by the close of the 19th century, Kroeschell had formed the Kroeschell Brothers Ice Machine Company, becoming the first American company to design, manufacture and install CO2 refrigeration equipment up to 250 tons in capacity. In 1906, Kroeschell pushed the envelope, designing, building and installing an air-cooling system in the Congress Hotel in Chicago, widely recognized as the first air-conditioning system in America.
In 1922, Kroeschell merged with the Brunswick Refrigerating Company to form the Brunswick-Kroeschell Company, and later during the Wall Street Crash, joined forces with York Heating and Ventilation and the world-famous Carrier Corporation.
Kroeschell Advantage
Experience-driven expertise
A reputation of dedication
Comprehensive output
Proactive + protective
A new era rooted in engineering
In 1932, Robert and Paul Kroeschell resigned from Carrier to form the Kroeschell Engineering Company, and a new era began. In 1934, Kroeschell landed the coveted contract to cool Chicago’s famous Tribune Tower — one of the crown jewels of Chicago architecture. The project was described by Westinghouse as “one of the largest unit air conditioning installations in the world.”
By 1959, Kroeschell had entered the HVAC business and continued expanding its services through the decades, adding industrial systems and plant operations support, electrical power distribution and controls, and plumbing installation and design to its offerings for top-notch facilities across the country.
Through its many services, Kroeschell has grown into a global business partner rooted in its firm dedication to excellence and treating customers like family.
At Look Back At Kroeschell
Giving Back to the Community that GIves So Much to Us
It’s what is on the inside that counts. Kroeschell remains dedicated to using its success to support charitable causes throughout the Greater Chicagoland community and beyond, improving comfort and standards of living for the next generation.
For the past 10 years, Kroeschell has hosted an annual golf outing to benefit local charities. Past benefactors have included:
- MS Society
- American Cancer Society
- Easter Seals
- HelloBaby
