CSTK Kansas City Completes Major Multi-Year Project for Kroger Delivery Fleet
CSTK Kansas City recently marked a major milestone, completing a multi-year project to install Thermo King V320 refrigeration units on delivery vans for Kroger, one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers.
The project began in 2022, when CSTK partnered with Utilimaster, a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, to equip Kroger’s expanding fleet of home delivery vans. Over the course of three years, CSTK’s installation teams successfully completed 1,265 units in Kansas City alone, with several hundred more completed at CSTK East. The result: a reliable, efficient, and temperature-controlled fleet helping Kroger deliver fresh groceries directly to customers’ doors across the country.
A Partnership in Motion
Kroger’s home delivery service continues to grow rapidly, connecting customers to fresh foods and household essentials through refrigerated delivery. To make that possible, CSTK worked hand-in-hand with Utilimaster and Thermo King to ensure every van met the exacting standards of performance, reliability, and temperature control required for perishable goods.
“This project really highlights what CSTK and Thermo King are all about, providing trusted transport refrigeration solutions for great companies,” said Dave Burns, Vice President and General Manager of CSTK Kansas City. “We’re proud to have played a part in Kroger’s mission to deliver freshness and quality right to their customers’ homes. Working with Utilimaster and Thermo King allowed us to bring together the best in vehicle design, refrigeration technology, and installation expertise.”
Collaboration and Precision
CSTK served as a subcontractor for Utilimaster, managing all refrigeration installations and final system checks before delivery. The Thermo King V320 units were chosen for their compact size, low noise, and proven performance in multi-stop delivery routes, ensuring consistent temperature control even in urban traffic conditions.
“This kind of project doesn’t happen without true teamwork,” said Rick Arnold, Sales Representative for CSTK Kansas City. “We’d like to thank Kroger, Utilimaster, and Thermo King for trusting us to help bring this project to life. Everyone involved shared a common goal, making sure each vehicle met the highest standards of quality and reliability. It’s been an honor to see it all come together.”
Dedication Behind the Scenes
Completing more than 1,200 refrigerated van installations required coordination, expertise, and relentless effort from CSTK’s technicians and service staff. Working through production schedules, logistics, and varying specifications, the Kansas City team delivered every unit on time and to exacting standards.
“This was a massive team effort,” said Donnie Heider, Service Manager at CSTK Kansas City. “Our technicians worked incredibly hard — day in and day out — to make sure every van was ready to perform. Their attention to detail, pride in craftsmanship, and commitment to quality made this project a success.”
A Cool Future Ahead
With the final unit completed, CSTK Kansas City celebrates not just the conclusion of a major contract, but the continuation of strong partnerships with Kroger, Utilimaster, and Thermo King — and the ongoing expansion of reliable refrigerated transport for the future of home delivery.
