Bergstrom celebrate 65 years in business

This year marks the 65^th year in business for Bergstrom Inc., a global leader in the design and supply of climate systems to the commercial vehicle industry.

The Rockford, Ill.-based company is celebrating this milestone with “Blue Sapphire” events at six facilities across the United States and world.

Bergstrom was founded in 1949 in the home of Adolph Bergstrom and his wife Eunice and has since become the supplier of HVAC systems for many of the world’s largest and most respected companies.

In its infancy a high percentage of Bergstrom’s sales came from heaters that went into school buses, the company says. As product offerings began to expand, new customers, such as Caterpillar and Kenworth Trucks, were added to its roster.

Bergstrom Europe was founded in England in 1989 and an additional location in China soon followed. As the company’s success continued to grow, it entered a number of strategic partnerships that gave it the ability to serve customers across the world, including Russia, Turkey and Brazil, the company says.

Dave Rydell, the son of Elvin “Al” Rydell – who joined the company in 1963 – currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and represents the entrepreneurial spirit that has been a big part of Bergstrom’s ongoing success.

Today, Bergstrom says it offers its clients a diversified line of climate control solutions. Its NITE (No-Idle Thermal Environment) no-idle solution is a battery-powered system that saves fuel, keeps drivers comfortable and helps protect the environment. The company’s Off-Highway Parts division provides heating and cooling solutions for some of the world’s toughest environments and the Kysor division provides customers with a huge selection of HVAC parts.

“Today’s achievements have their roots in the original vision of the company and its early employees,” says Jack Shaffer, president and CEO of Bergstrom. “This anniversary underlines Bergstrom’s 65 years of successful product development and efforts to increase consumer awareness and demand for climate control solutions in the commercial vehicle industry.”

Bergstrom says the “Blue Sapphire” celebration events – a homage to the 65^th year anniversary stone – are being held at five of the company’s worldwide locations and will feature local customers, dignitaries and more.

“As we celebrate this momentous milestone, we’d like to thank all of our past and present team members for their commitment and dedication to keeping our vision clear,” says Shaffer. “Most importantly, we’d like to thank our world-class customers who continue to entrust us with designing and producing their climate control solutions. Thank you from all of us.”