What We Do
Carlson & Stewart Refrigeration, Inc. started as Carlson Sales & Service in 1935. Founded by Roy Carlson, the company sold and serviced household appliances.
As his business grew, Roy expanded the business to include mechanical refrigeration for family dairy farms, the local butcher shops, small town creameries, and community grocery stores.
In 1948, Bud Stewart joined his uncle Roy in the refrigeration business. Carlson Sales & Service was incorporated in 1958 as Carlson & Stewart Refrigeration, Inc. serving customers within a 100-mile radius of Marshall, MN.
In 1975, David Grong joined his father-in-law Bud in the business. Over the years, Dave used his mechanical engineering degree to bring design-build contracting to the company, along with a wealth of knowledge on industrial refrigeration systems, serving as Chairman of the board for the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration.
With 10 years already working for the company, Mike Martin returned from Alaska and started working for Carlson & Stewart again as a Service/Install Technician. His skills led him to job foreman, estimating, and into leading the commercial refrigeration division. Mike, with a mechanical engineering degree, brought Carlson & Stewart Refrigeration, Inc. to the forefront in design build for commercial systems. During Mike’s tenure, he doubled the size of Carlson & Stewart Refrigeration by starting and growing the Sioux Falls market to become the largest refrigeration service company in the region and acquiring Central Minnesota Refrigeration, Inc out of Sauk Rapids.
Today, Carlson & Stewart Refrigeration, Inc. leads the way in innovation, design, and workmanship, backed by a long-standing tradition of service on which our clients rely. With over 85 years in business, our core values of Safety First, Quality Product, Quality People and Ethical Behavior, lead our mission to install superior commercial and industrial refrigeration systems and to provide excellent follow up service.
What Our Customers Are Saying
Carlson and Stewart Refrigeration (CSR) is very supportive of the Dan’s Prize operation. They’ve been assisting with our refrigeration maintenance and upkeep for over 20 years and have been nothing but stellar. Their safety record is without reproach, their technical knowledge is outstanding and their team is willing to do whatever is required to keep us operating. CSR treats your facility and budget like it is their own and comes up with innovative ideas to get the job done while keeping cost savings in mind. Whenever we are in a bind, we know we can call CSR and they are on their way. I give the CSR team an A+ rating and look forward to working with them in the future.