Zero-C’s true DNA: Cold, tailor made

Pioneers throughout the years

Foundation of Réfrigération & Chauffage Longueuil Inc.1969

In early 1969, Gabrielle and Emmanuel Bastrash founded their refrigeration and heating company by setting pillars and values that were to be transmitted in every action. From this moment, their primary desire was to offer sustainable and cost-effective solutions to their customers in the Montreal area.

Pioneers throughout the years

Purchasing of the Demers Plumbing Division1972

When the opportunity to considerably expand the service offering for full-customer satisfaction arises, we acquired Demers Plumbing division. This action is full of promises for the company’s future, evolving eventually into Réfrigération, Plomberie & Chauffage Longueuil Inc.

Pioneers throughout the years

Broadening of the service offering1982

Even though the eldest Bastrash son, Serge, started working for the company in 1975, he took over the business in 1982. His vision and passion push him to expand the service offering in the refrigeration industry in order to serve both residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Pioneers throughout the years

First 100% energy recovery supermarket1985

Back then, heating an entire building with heat generated by a refrigeration system was unheard of. Thanks to the trust of an optimistic customer, we were able to install a pack fully equipped to recover 100% of the available energy and heat a whole supermarket without any auxiliary system. An absolutely unprecedented achievement at the time!

Pioneers throughout the years

Foundation of Klimfax Inc. 1994

The company being a flagship in the industry and now doing business across the province, Réfrigération, Plomberie & Chauffage Longueuil Inc. has become a cumbersome name. Serge undertakes to enhance the business image by creating the KLIMFAX trademark (climate and faculty in Latin). Paired to an easily identifiable fleet of yellow trucks throughout Quebec, the new image achieves instant success.

Pioneers throughout the years

Creation of the Engineering Department1997

True to the founders’ pillars and values, the company is determined to provide forward-thinking solutions that go beyond the limits of what has been done up to that point. An engineering department is created to explore and offer new innovative concepts promoting the use of new generation refrigerants.

Pioneers throughout the years

New growth-stimulating building2003

Alain, one of the Bastrash brothers, joined Serge a few years earlier and now works with him to build a 40,000-square-foot complex located at 800 Trans-Canada in Longueuil, half of which is used for the company needs. Despite the banks’ pessimism considering the scope of the project, the company continues to grow quickly, hence space still being an ongoing issue one year later.

Pioneers throughout the years

Creation of the Control & Automation Department2004

With our concepts taking more significance, both on an innovative and a technological side, a control and automation department has become essential to our business. Remote control of our customers’ systems and optimization interventions is a growing part of our operations.

Pioneers throughout the years

Purchasing of Climat Gestion S.A. 2008

While Canadian business is thriving, Serge Bastrash, CEO, decides to join forces with Pierre-Alain Giroud, engineer, to take on the European market. This new union with Europe gives the company a new angle of approach in the refrigeration sector as well as the opportunity to get closer with control specialists.

Pioneers throughout the years

First CO2 system installation2010

After 40 years of refrigeration innovations, the company passed a key milestone by installing its first CO2-driven system. As CO2 is still in its infancy, this system installation is the first of a specialty that would become our trademark in the industry.

Pioneers throughout the years

Development of Zero-C trademark2011

Faced with the magnitude of the company’s growth, the executives divided the operations into two separate companies with exclusive shareholders. Taking charge of the commercial and industrial refrigeration, ventilation and air conditioning division, Serge Bastrash created the new Zero-C trademark with three loyal co-workers who then also became shareholders. The residential ventilation, air conditioning and heating division remained with Klimfax Inc. under new ownership.

Pioneers throughout the years

Purchasing of Climat-Control PL Inc. (commercial & industrial refrigeration)2012

With the objectives of increasing commercial and industrial service offering, acquiring qualified customer service resources and logistic expertise, Zero-C purchased Climat-Control PL Inc.

A world premiere also left a mark that year: we installed the first transcritical CO2 pack allowing circulation of CO2 in the skating rink’s slabs of a three rinks sports complex.

Pioneers throughout the years

First CO2 system design and installation2013

Always seeking new challenges, Zero-C reached a new stage by designing and manufacturing its first CO2 system. Our team consists of engineers and designers of great talent, who helped us expand from a refrigeration systems installer to a manufacturer of proprietary equipment and provide solutions that exceed all expectations.

Pioneers throughout the years

Fixair Inc. asset transaction (industrial refrigeration)2015

Acquiring Fixair Inc. (in business since 1975) enhanced Zero-C’s reputation in the industrial sector. It allowed us to expand our commercial activities for a better service offering of natural refrigerant-driven packs and industrial engineering expertise while increasing the company’s purchasing power with suppliers.

Pioneers throughout the years

Purchasing of some Réfrigération Supérieure Inc. assets2016

Zero-C always seized the opportunities to help the company grow. By purchasing Réfrigération Supérieure Inc. assets, we acquired complementary expertise to meet our customer’s ever increasing needs.

Pioneers throughout the years

Purchasing of Sertech Inc. (electrical contractor)2017

Expanding our service offering has been Zero-C’s biggest motivation since day 1. Adding an electrical division to our core business helped us strengthen our position as a fully skilled and integrated company designing and offering complete turnkey solutions with no third party involved.

Pioneers throughout the years

50 years of pride 2019

Zero-C team of over 130 people is extremely proud to have reached 50 years of history. Staying passionate and expanding our boundaries throughout the years while ensuring respect, diligence and rigor are is our greatest assets for a successful future.