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The German manufacturing giant draws upon its history of innovation as it advances the science, engineering and design of premium refrigeration.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

Liebherr, a global leader in technology, appliance and equipment manufacturing, is marking seven decades as one of the world’s foremost authorities in advanced refrigeration technology. But beneath the actual product innovation lies a creative spirit of invention and entrepreneurship that characterizes the company to this day.

The Liebherr story begins as a manufacturer of construction equipment in 1949, inventing the tower crane and a few years later, the hydraulic excavator. Over the years, it would expand around the world to include numerous sectors, from ever-larger and more complex cranes to cement mixing and mining equipment, engines and gears, maritime and aerospace transportation systems, climate-control technology and a wide range of other specialties — including refrigeration, which has its roots in 1954. 

At the time, Hans Liebherr, who was running his parents’ building equipment firm, learned about an opportunity to purchase a refrigerator factory. After researching the market, he recognized the enormous potential for household appliances in a post-war nation that was rebuilding, and where only 10 percent of households owned a refrigerator. Liebherr decided to build his own factory in Ochsenhausen, in southern Germany. The first refrigerator rolled off the assembly line in 1954, thus initiating a legendary series of innovations in cooling technology solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications.

Today, Liebherr offers a wide range of commercial and residential refrigerators and freezers, including freestanding and fully integrated models in multiple configurations, Wi-Fi capability with the SmartDeviceBox, Monolith columns, beverage and undercounter units. Combination units include French-door, side-by-side and bottom-freezer styles in widths up to 36 inches. Liebherr appliances benefit from decades of research and product development, premium components and materials, precision German engineering and cutting-edge design, and the latest energy-efficient cooling technologies.

For instance, Liebherr’s DuoCooling feature uses two separate refrigeration circuits to ensure no air is exchanged between the fridge and freezer — maintaining optimal temperature and humidity, and keeping food odors from spreading. Its BioFresh compartments help food retain vitamins, flavor and appearance through temperature and moisture control, preserving food and resulting in less waste. Its innovative HydroBreeze technology employs a cold mist spray, gently covering produce, giving food an extra boost for longer shelf life — and in the process, creates a genuine visual “wow” effect. 

In the freezer, the SuperFrost feature generates greater cold reserves so freshly stored food may freeze quickly and preserve vitamins, and the NoFrost system provides rapid, fan-assisted, frost-free freezing for safe, long-term food storage and a generous storage capacity. 

Liebherr’s newest innovation expands the integrated portfolio with the OpenStage drawer system, an industry-first feature that replaces traditional shelving with telescopic glass and metal drawers. Food is clearly visible and easily accessible with the full-extension drawers, reducing waste — as well as the likelihood of a mystery container getting lost in the back.

Environmentally Friendly Production and Design

Sustainability is a key pillar of Liebherr’s manufacturing and product development. The company strives for energy-efficient, carbon-neutral manufacturing processes, and developing energy-efficient cooling technology that uses environmentally safe refrigerant as well as extends food’s shelf-life, thus reducing waste. 

Across the entire company, Liebherr has reduced greenhouse-gas emissions in its transportation fleet and factory operations to reduce its environmental impact.

Liebherr is a proud sponsor of the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen & Bath Month programming. To learn more about Liebherr and its refrigeration technology, go here.