True Manufacturing

True Manufacturing traces back to 1945, when Robert (Bob) Trulaske returned home after World War II with an idea for electric powered commercial refrigeration. Working alongside brothers Frank and Art in a St. Louis garage, the Trulaske family built its first product in 1946: a 40 cubic foot upright freezer that launched the company.

Now headquartered in O'Fallon, Missouri, True remains family owned after four generations and has grown into one of the larger commercial refrigeration manufacturers serving foodservice, retail, and scientific storage markets across North America and beyond.

Product Lines

SupplyHouse carries True reach-in refrigerators and freezers, glass door merchandisers, undercounter units, and prep tables used in commercial kitchens, convenience stores, and bar setups.

The lineup also includes open air merchandisers and specialty display cases, reflecting decades of expansion from the original upright freezer into glass door GDM models, foodservice prep equipment, and, more recently, units built around R290 hydrocarbon refrigerant.

Why Contractors Specify True

Foodservice contractors specify True because parts availability and service documentation are consistent across a large installed base, which shortens repair turnaround on commercial kitchen jobs.

The brand's family ownership has kept manufacturing and quality control in house rather than shifting through multiple corporate owners, a stability factor contractors weigh when bidding long term service contracts for restaurants and grocery accounts.

How to Choose True Products

Start with the application: reach-in units suit walk up kitchen access, undercounter models fit tight bar and prep line footprints, and glass door merchandisers work best for self-serve retail coolers.

Match the temperature class to the load. Refrigerators, freezers, and dual temp units are not interchangeable, so confirm the target range before ordering. Door style, voltage, and depth should be checked against the site's utility service and clearance before installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a reach-in and an undercounter True unit?

A reach-in unit is a full height cabinet designed for walk up access in a kitchen line, while an undercounter model fits beneath a counter or prep station where vertical clearance is limited.

Does True offer units built for R290 refrigerant?

Yes. True has expanded its lineup to include models built around R290 hydrocarbon refrigerant as part of a broader shift toward lower global warming potential refrigerants in commercial equipment.

How often should the condenser coils be cleaned on a True refrigeration unit?

Condenser coils should be inspected and cleaned on a regular schedule, generally every few months in a typical kitchen environment, since grease and dust buildup reduces airflow and raises compressor workload.

Can True glass door merchandisers be used outdoors?

Most glass door merchandisers are designed for indoor, climate controlled retail environments, so an outdoor or high humidity install should be confirmed against the specific model's rated operating range before placement.

Is True still a family owned company?

Yes. True has been family owned and operated for four generations since its founding in 1945, and it marked its 80th anniversary in 2025.