Industrial Refrigeration Pros (IR Pros) has acquired Prairie HVAC-R, a Winnipeg-based specialist in refrigeration, ice plant, and mechanical solutions. The deal was announced earlier this summer, July 2026.
The transaction marks IR Pros’ first acquisition of an operating company headquartered in Canada. The company said the purchase opens what it described as a new international chapter for the organization. IR Pros CEO Curtis Czemeres had this to say of the acquisition:
"Canada has been on our radar for a long time, and Prairie HVAC/R was always the company we admired most. This is more than our first acquisition north of the border – it’s the start of a cross-border partnership we intend to build on for years."
Prairie HVAC/R is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and has more than 20 years of experience. The company designs, builds, installs, and services artificial ice plants. It also provides industrial refrigeration, commercial HVAC, controls and automation, alternative energy, and electrical systems for customers across Manitoba and surrounding Canadian regions. The company created ENVIROFREEZE® , a low-charge packaged chiller (available with ammonia or freon), as well as RINK LINK® , a remote ice-plant control. This technology is used on championship ice, including curling, sports arenas, and more. Prairie also has an in-house electrical division staffed by Red Seal electricians.
Members of the MLT Aikins team acted for Prairie HVAC/R throughout the transaction. The team was led by Caitlin Bouché and supported by Steve Dressler and Moira Kennedy.
