An engineering firm, run by its own people, since 1939.

About Coles Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Established in 1939, remaining one of the oldest and most reputable names in the business, Coles Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Pty Ltd (“Coles”) has successfully serviced Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie and the NSW Central Coast for the past 80+ years, on both a domestic and commercial scale. The expert team at “Coles Refrigeration & Air Conditioning” hold both the knowledge and understanding of new technologies, with the skills, confidence and reputation that can only be offered by a long standing company, thus ensuring your demands are met to the highest of standards.

Whether it be domestic or commercial air conditioning, or commercial catering and refrigeration, “Coles” ensure quality and functionality from a 100% local business with 24 hr service. The wide variety of skills acquired by the “Coles Refrigeration & Air Conditioning” team allows the design, installation, finance, warranty and after sales service processes to be handled by one company, removing the hassle associated with dealing with multiple companies / consultants.

“Coles” delivers high quality assistance at all stages of the construction and installation process and accepts responsibility for all your services needs. When you deal direct with “Coles” air conditioning engineers, you get technical advice, the right price, quality installation, warranty back up and on going service, offered by technical engineers, not just a retail store employees and their installation representatives!

Due to the holding of large stocks, and a large fleet of well equipped technicians, “Coles” can provide same day service response for 98% of all breakdowns, as well as 24 hr service. Unlike companies that retail off the shelf products, “Coles Refrigeration & Air Conditioning” offers obligation free quotes and technical advice to ensure accurate sizing of systems and professional design services. The reputation held by “Coles” lies heavily with the ability to offer honest and independent advice on air conditioning, refrigeration and catering equipment brands to the Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie and the NSW Central Coast, communities for several generations.

When you purchase a product from Coles Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Pty Ltd, you get quality brands, great service, technical advice and competitive prices.

Our Proud History (reliable since 1939)

Coles Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Pty Ltd was founded by the late Sidney Harold Cole in 1939. Mr Cole was the son of a British mechanical engineer who came to Australia in the 1880’s to establish Adelaide’s first ice works and meat chilling plant. The 1920’s saw (our founder) the late Mr Cole construct New South Wales’ first dairy cool room. This came as a response to refrigeration in Sydney becoming more popular for small shops and homes.

In 1931 Mr Cole opened the Newcastle branch of ‘New Systems Telephones’ (later to become Email Limited) at 91 Hunter Street, Newcastle. Between 1933-1938 Mr Cole was appointed engineer/ manager. [Upon Mr Cole’s arrival to Newcastle & The Hunter there were less than thirty (30) commercial refrigeration installations.] When ‘New Systems Telephones’ Newcastle branch closed, Mr Cole decided to venture into his own business (Coles Refrigeration).

His first customer became BHP Shipping, a valued client continuously maintained until the closure of the Newcastle BHP Steelworks. A refrigeration cabinet factory was opened, at Broadmeadow in 1946, and it produced commercial refrigeration for sale all over Australia. In March 1964 the business was sold to two (2) of Mr Cole’s senior staff. Always a leader in technical fields, Sid Cole used this early example of “worker participation” to good effect.

The company grew and expanded. This model of worker participation has continued to this day. Today, Coles Refrigeration & Air Conditioning is proud to continuously trade for 80+ years, still 100% locally owned and managed, and offering quality, energy-efficient, commercial and home / residential air conditioning, commercial refrigeration, commercial catering equipment / kitchens & mechanical ventilation services.