THE STORY BEHIND SCR

In 1957, Don Fitch founded St. Cloud Refrigeration. Don had served in World War II, and after the war was assigned to guard Germans who were working on the refrigeration equipment at a prisoner-of-war camp. When he returned to Minnesota after his time in the military, he attended Dunwoody Institute for refrigeration. 

St. Cloud Refrigeration provided a variety of services – appliance sales and repair, maintenance for bulk milk coolers and soda fountains, mechanical refrigeration, and more. Don’s son Mike joined the team in the early 1970s, when services expanded to provide heating, ventilation, and cooling capabilities.  Pat Welty started with St. Cloud Refrigeration a few years later, and in 1985, Mike and Pat purchased the company from Don. The following years brought advancements in HVAC and refrigeration technology, a sheet metal shop for custom fabrication, and additional service offerings with building and controls automation and comprehensive food service capabilities.  

SCR has seen decades of continued growth with new facilities and additional divisions that allow for an expanded service area. The dedicated SCR team, many of them long-time employees, plays a critical role in that growth and success. 

Contact us to learn more. 

SCR Timeline: 1957-2024

1957
1966
1970
1974
1977
1985
1986
1991
1994
1995
1997
2001
2004
2005
2007
2008
2009
2011
2012
2017
2022
2024

Don Fitch and Ambrose Feia found St. Cloud Refrigeration.

Don Fitch buys out Feia to become the company's sole owner.

Original building built in St. Cloud on Lincoln Ave.

Mike Fitch, Don's son, joins the company as a service technician.

Pat Welty joins the company as its first salesman and ninth employee.

Mike Fitch and Pat Welty purchase St. Cloud Refrigeration from Don Fitch. Vicky Welty takes on payroll and IT duties.

Fitch and Welty build a warehouse adjacent to the office. There are 15 employees and $1.2 million in sales.

 

We expand the warehouse to provide more storage space and room for a full-time mechanic.

Expanded Lincoln Ave building and added second warehouse.

We expand our main building and purchase Mid-State Refrigeration in Brainerd.

St. Cloud Refrigeration is honored as the St. Cloud Area Small Business of the Year.

Scott Fitch started.

St. Cloud Refrigeration founds Northwinds Refrigeration in Rochester.

Mark Fitch started.

St. Cloud Refrigeration opens a branch office in the Twin Cities metro area.

St. Cloud Refrigeration purchases Cuddy Energy in Mankato.

St. Cloud Refrigeration and its subsidiaries rebrand to SCR - Northern, SCR - Central, and SCR - Southern.

Ryan Welty started.

Expanded to Duluth.

Addition to Sheetmetal shop for full coil line.

Scott Fitch, Mark Fitch and Ryan Welty purchase the business from Mike Fitch & Pat Welty.

Expanded to Sioux Falls, SD.

SCR Family Legacy

Discover the story behind SCR's journey and how we've been shaping excellence since our beginning. Watch our history video to learn about the values, innovations, and milestones that have defined who we are today!

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