Schmitz Cargobull Invests in Sub Zero to Expand Cold Chain Capabilities in India

- Strategic stake in leading refrigerated truck body manufacturer aligns with rapid market growth and drive to cut food wastage
- Modernization of production processes and introduction of advanced technologies at Sub Zero’s Pune facility
Horstmar / Pune, August 2025 – Schmitz Cargobull AG, Europe’s leading manufacturer of semi-trailers, has announced a strategic investment in Sub Zero Insulation Technologies (SZIT), one of India’s top producers of refrigerated and dry freight truck bodies. Under the agreement, Schmitz Cargobull will acquire a 27.5% equity stake in SZIT, with an option to increase its shareholding over the coming years. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Schmitz Cargobull’s global expansion strategy and strengthens its presence in the rapidly growing Indian cold chain logistics market.
“India’s cold chain sector is evolving rapidly, and Sub Zero has demonstrated strong potential to lead this transformation. By combining Schmitz Cargobull’s engineering expertise with Sub Zero’s market reach, we aim to deliver high-quality, efficient transport solutions across India and beyond. This is not just about business growth; it’s about enabling infrastructure that can help reduce the 30–40% of perishable produce lost annually due to inadequate cold-chain facilities - losses that also contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions” says Andreas Schmitz, CEO Schmitz Cargobull AG.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The partnership is grounded in a strong cultural alignment. Both Schmitz Cargobull and SZIT are family-led businesses that share a long-term vision, strong values, and a focus on innovation and customer-centric development. The Khira family’s legacy in vehicle body building in India dates back to 1949, and Sub Zero has carried this legacy forward with a focus on modern design, quality, and high efficiency bodies since 2015.
Sub Zero is today a leading Indian manufacturer of insulated and refrigerated truck bodies, producing over 1,500 units annually and serving as an approved supplier for major OEMs, including Tata Motors, Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, Volvo Eicher, Isuzu, and Bharat Benz.
“This partnership represents a pivotal moment for Sub Zero and for India’s cold chain ecosystem. With Schmitz Cargobull as our partners, we are entering a new era of quality, technology, and international standards. By improving cold-chain efficiency, we can drastically cut wastage, boost farmer incomes, improve food availability, and significantly lower the carbon footprint from decomposing perishables. We remain committed to our customers, and our mission to deliver best-in-class transport solutions across India and emerging markets” says Deep Khira, Founder & CEO of Sub Zero.
Key Collaboration Areas:
- Modernization of production processes at Sub Zero’s Pune facility.
- Introduction of Schmitz Cargobull’s advanced technologies, including insulated panels and trailer telematics.
- Training & knowledge exchange programs between the Indian and German teams.
- Export of easy to assembly modular kits for refrigerated and dry freight truck body applications to support both domestic and international markets.
This investment supports Schmitz Cargobull’s broader strategy to expand its footprint in emerging markets and promote sustainable, locally adapted solutions that raise the standard of transport infrastructure globally.
About Sub Zero Insulation
Technologies Founded in 2015 and based in Pune, Sub Zero is one of India’s leading manufacturers of refrigerated and dry freight truck bodies. With about 120 employees, the business is producing about 1,500 bodies per year. Building on the Khira family’s rich legacy in automotive body building, the company is recognized for its use of durable reefer boxes, superior thermal performance, and commitment to quality.
Acerca de Schmitz Cargobull
Schmitz Cargobull es el fabricante líder de semirremolques para carga con temperatura controlada, carga general y mercancías a granel en Europa y pionero en soluciones digitales para servicios del remolque y conectividad. La compañía también fabrica equipos de frío para semirremolques frigoríficos. Con una amplia gama de servicios que van desde financiación, suministro de repuestos, contratos de servicio y soluciones telemáticas hasta el comercio de vehículos usados, Schmitz Cargobull ayuda a sus clientes a optimizar su coste total de propiedad (TCO) y su transformación digital.
Schmitz Cargobull se fundó en 1892 en Münsterland, Alemania. La empresa familiar produce alrededor de 60.000 vehículos al año con más de 6.000 empleados y generó una facturación de alrededor de 2.400 millones de euros en el ejercicio 2023/24. La red de producción internacional se compone actualmente de diez plantas en Alemania, Lituania, España, Inglaterra, Turquía, Eslovaquia y Australia.
El equipo de prensa de Schmitz Cargobull:
Raquel Villarroya: | +34 976 613 200-5229 I raquel.villarroya@cargobull.com |
Anna Stuhlmeier: | +49 2558 81-1340 I anna.stuhlmeier@cargobull.com |
Andrea Beckonert: | +49 2558 81-1321 I andrea.beckonert@cargobull.com |
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Press Release: Schmitz Cargobull Invests in Sub Zero to Expand Cold Chain Capabilities in India
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Image 1: Refrigerated vehicles from Sub Zero Insulation Technologies
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Image 2: Refrigerated vehicles from Sub Zero Insulation Technologies
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Image 3: Deep Khira, Gründer and CEO Sub Zero
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Image 4: Andreas Schmitz, CEO Schmitz Cargobull