Our History

Origin and Early Years

Bundy Corporation, originally known as Harry Bundy and Company, was founded in Detroit, Michigan, in 1922 by Harry Warren Bundy. The company initially manufactured steel tubes used in automobile gas lines, with its first contract being to supply tubing for the Ford Model T. Bundy’s innovation was a double-walled tube capable of withstanding high pressure. The company soon became an industry standard for automotive steel tubing and expanded its operations to supply tubing for all types of condensers and heat exchangers to the emerging refrigeration industry.

Expansion and Diversification

During World War II, Bundy converted its entire manufacturing operation to support the war effort. Post-war, the company diversified its product range, supplying tubing for various consumer products as it expanded internationally. Bundy continued to innovate and diversify its product range and operations, establishing subsidiaries in various countries while also entering new markets. In 1988, Bundy was acquired by the British engineering firm TI Group plc, becoming part of a larger international conglomerate.

The Modern Era and Recent Developments: 1994-Present

In 1994, Bundy Refrigeration marked a significant milestone by investing in a production plant in Curitiba, Brazil, signalling its commitment to expanding its operational footprint. This was followed by another strategic move two years later when the company acquired the Alcan Roll-Bond business in Brazil, further solidifying its presence in the region.

The late 1990s saw Bundy continue its expansion and diversification. In 1998, the company invested in a condenser plant in Hungary, extending its reach in the European market while a year later, in 1999, Bundy sold its EU freezer shelf business to Kenmore, a strategic decision aimed at refining its business focus.

The dawn of the new millennium brought more changes for Bundy. In 2001, a significant investment in the Borghetto plant in Italy, enhanced its production capabilities, concentrating all the electroweld tube for Europe in this site with a capactity of over 200 million metres per year. As the company continued to refine and consolidate its operations, it took the decision in 2002 to sell its refrigeration business in India to the Bagla Group.

The following year, Bundy also made a pivotal decision to sell its Asia Pacific business to KBC, while retaining a 20% stake: a strategic decision that showed the company’s commitment to international partnerships.

2007 was marked by a change in ownership when Bundy Refrigeration Srl was acquired by private equity firm Sun Capital Partners, bringing a new perspective and direction to the company. The new owners immediately expanded Bundy’s Curitiba plant in Brazil with the addition of two new tube mills.

The following year, Bundy acquired Thermokaelete, subsequently rebranding it as Bundy Germany, as part of its ongoing expansion in Europe.

Next up, in 2011, Bundy inaugurated a new plant in Pinda, Brazil, and established a satellite site in northeast Brazil, reinforcing its commitment to the South American market. The company continued its acquisition spree in 2012 by integrating TEL Group, manufacturer of spare parts for domestic appliances in Italy, Poland, and Turkey, into its portfolio. In the same year, Brazeway’s condensers factory in Mexico was acquired and renamed Bundy Mexico.

2013 was a year of innovation and restructuring for Bundy. The company launched its patented WingTube products, offering cutting-edge condenser and evaporator solutions to the market. However, it also made the tough decision to close Bundy Spain and Bundy Carinaro, Italy, as part of its organisational restructuring.

In 2014, the company undertook expansion projects in Poland and Hungary, enhancing its facilities to meet the growing demand in domestic and commercial refrigeration. The launch of its Operational Excellence programme in 2016 marked Bundy’s commitment to pioneering new solutions in the industry.

Grandholm. Supporting industry.

A significant change occurred in October 2018 when Grandholm Production Services Ltd acquired Bundy from Sun Capital Partners. This acquisition coincided with Bundy selling its operations in Poland, Mexico, and Colombia, reflecting its focused and dynamic approach to global operations.

Most recently, in 2020, Bundy invested in a new 11,000 sq.m. plant in Manisa, Turkey, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to growth and innovation in the modern era.

Bundy’s new owners continued to focus on investment and innovation, taking the WingTube concept to another level to improve the energy efficiency of refrigerators by reducing energy consumption by up to 23 per cent. This represents a massive saving for end users operating multiple appliances in multiple establishments and locations.

The company, with its rich history and continuous evolution, remains a formidable player in the design and manufacture of heat transfer and fluid-carrying systems for the refrigeration industry. Moreover, it has come full circle from its early days in the automotive industry with the introduction of its innovative roll bond cooling panels for electric vehicles.

One can only imagine what Harry Bundy would make of the company’s progress and how his initial work paved the way for a century of groundbreaking advancements.