Hoshizaki Launches Two New Products Contributing to Heatstroke Prevention and Logistics Efficiency
Hoshizaki Corporation will sequentially launch two new products, an 'ice maker requiring no water supply/drainage equipment' and an 'outdoor refrigerator/freezer' from late June, contributing to heatstroke prevention and logistics efficiency. The company aims to solve social issues and anticipates diverse usage environments.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 20:15
- 🔍 Collected: May 12, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 10:33 (23h 1m after Collected)
Hoshizaki Corporation (Headquarters: Toyoake City, Aichi Prefecture; Representative Director President: Yasuhiro Kobayashi), a comprehensive food service equipment manufacturer, has newly developed two products: an ice maker that does not require water supply and drainage facilities, and an outdoor refrigerator/freezer that can be installed outdoors without a roof. They will be released sequentially through Hoshizaki sales companies starting in late June. These products will contribute to solving social issues such as heatstroke prevention and logistics problems.
Cube Ice Maker (Ice Machine) with Water Supply/Drainage Unit Support IM-25P-PT
Outdoor Refrigerator/Freezer
New Needs for Product Usage Arise with Societal Changes
Traditionally, Hoshizaki's main products, commercial refrigerators and ice makers, were primarily used in restaurant kitchens. Currently, with societal changes, they are also adopted in various industries and environments such as supermarkets, convenience stores, hospitals, schools, and hotels. New usage needs are also emerging in restaurants.
At Hoshizaki, product development is carried out from a market-in perspective, based on direct customer feedback and market needs obtained through 15 sales companies nationwide in Japan. In response to recent intense heat and logistics problems, there have been many requests for use in different environments than before. Therefore, we have advanced technological development to solve installation barriers and have newly developed two products. Both products adopt natural refrigerants (※1) with low global warming impact.
Ice Maker Requiring No Water Supply/Drainage Facilities, Usable for Heatstroke Prevention and Events
Against the backdrop of recent intense heat and the obligation to prevent heatstroke in the workplace (※2), inquiries for ice makers have increased for rental demand at event venues, construction sites, and sports competitions, as well as for introduction in corporate offices, factories, and schools. Many requests are also heard from restaurants for installation in customer seating areas. In such environments, the lack of nearby water supply/drainage facilities or the inability to perform construction has been an installation barrier.
To eliminate the need for water supply/drainage facilities, the ice maker adopts a system that combines a "water supply tank unit" and a "forced drainage unit" to handle water supply and drainage functions, respectively. By applying the technology cultivated in our tea dispensers to the "water supply tank unit" and commonizing parts with tea dispensers, we have achieved ice making suitable for drinking and cost reduction. Drainage is a drain-up system that lifts water. It is possible to combine with only one unit, or to change some existing ice makers to water supply/drainage unit compatible specifications by replacing parts. Assuming use for beverages, ice packs, and icing, the ice type is "cube ice," characterized by its hardness and slow melting. This meets the needs for use only during certain periods, such as summer or event seasons. Sales will begin in early July.
Water Supply Tank Unit (Image)
Forced Drainage Unit (Image)
Lineup
Type | Models | Daily Ice Production | Body Dimensions (W×D×H mm) | Refrigerant Used | Standard Price (Excl. Tax)
---|---|---|---|---|---
Cube Ice Maker (Ice Machine) with Water Supply/Drainage Unit Support | 6 | 25kg～45㎏ | 395×450×770 (IM-25P-PT) *Representative model 25kg daily ice production type | Natural Refrigerant (R600a (Isobutane) or R290 (Propane)) | (Undecided)
Water Supply Tank Unit | 1 | ― | 450×480×730 | ― | (Undecided)
Forced Drainage Unit | 1 | ― | 380×273×182 | ― | (Undecided)
Logistics Efficiency through Unmanned Receiving: Hoshizaki's First "Outdoor Refrigerator/Freezer" Usable Outdoors Without a Roof
"Outdoor Refrigerator/Freezer" can be installed in outdoor environments with ambient temperatures ranging from -20℃ to 38℃. This is Hoshizaki's first product that can be used outdoors without a roof. Sales will begin in late June.
In addition to logistics problems and energy price fluctuations, the Logistics Efficiency Act imposes an obligation on shippers to make efforts regarding "improving loading efficiency," "reducing waiting times for cargo," and "reducing cargo handling times," leading to a noticeable increase in late-night and early-morning deliveries with less traffic congestion, and a reduction in delivery frequencies. With a shortage of personnel and storage space on the receiving side, there is an anticipated increase in demand for refrigerators/freezers that can receive cargo unmanned outdoors.
In developing its first outdoor product, Hoshizaki conducted rigorous quality tests. In addition to high waterproof performance (※3), for high-temperature countermeasures, it uses a compressor with higher cooling performance than standard commercial refrigerators and white painted steel plates that absorb less heat. Furthermore, crime and vandalism prevention measures have been taken, such as a tightening handle that reduces the risk of the door being left ajar, a structure that allows for padlock attachment, and the adoption of special screws.
Tightening handle with padlock attached
Lineup
Type | Model Name | Rated Internal Volume | Body Dimensions (W×D×H mm) | Refrigerant Used | Standard Price (Excl. Tax)
---|---|---|---|---|---
Outdoor Refrigerator | HOR-90A | 791 liters
Cube Ice Maker (Ice Machine) with Water Supply/Drainage Unit Support IM-25P-PT
Outdoor Refrigerator/Freezer
New Needs for Product Usage Arise with Societal Changes
Traditionally, Hoshizaki's main products, commercial refrigerators and ice makers, were primarily used in restaurant kitchens. Currently, with societal changes, they are also adopted in various industries and environments such as supermarkets, convenience stores, hospitals, schools, and hotels. New usage needs are also emerging in restaurants.
At Hoshizaki, product development is carried out from a market-in perspective, based on direct customer feedback and market needs obtained through 15 sales companies nationwide in Japan. In response to recent intense heat and logistics problems, there have been many requests for use in different environments than before. Therefore, we have advanced technological development to solve installation barriers and have newly developed two products. Both products adopt natural refrigerants (※1) with low global warming impact.
Ice Maker Requiring No Water Supply/Drainage Facilities, Usable for Heatstroke Prevention and Events
Against the backdrop of recent intense heat and the obligation to prevent heatstroke in the workplace (※2), inquiries for ice makers have increased for rental demand at event venues, construction sites, and sports competitions, as well as for introduction in corporate offices, factories, and schools. Many requests are also heard from restaurants for installation in customer seating areas. In such environments, the lack of nearby water supply/drainage facilities or the inability to perform construction has been an installation barrier.
To eliminate the need for water supply/drainage facilities, the ice maker adopts a system that combines a "water supply tank unit" and a "forced drainage unit" to handle water supply and drainage functions, respectively. By applying the technology cultivated in our tea dispensers to the "water supply tank unit" and commonizing parts with tea dispensers, we have achieved ice making suitable for drinking and cost reduction. Drainage is a drain-up system that lifts water. It is possible to combine with only one unit, or to change some existing ice makers to water supply/drainage unit compatible specifications by replacing parts. Assuming use for beverages, ice packs, and icing, the ice type is "cube ice," characterized by its hardness and slow melting. This meets the needs for use only during certain periods, such as summer or event seasons. Sales will begin in early July.
Water Supply Tank Unit (Image)
Forced Drainage Unit (Image)
Lineup
Type | Models | Daily Ice Production | Body Dimensions (W×D×H mm) | Refrigerant Used | Standard Price (Excl. Tax)
---|---|---|---|---|---
Cube Ice Maker (Ice Machine) with Water Supply/Drainage Unit Support | 6 | 25kg～45㎏ | 395×450×770 (IM-25P-PT) *Representative model 25kg daily ice production type | Natural Refrigerant (R600a (Isobutane) or R290 (Propane)) | (Undecided)
Water Supply Tank Unit | 1 | ― | 450×480×730 | ― | (Undecided)
Forced Drainage Unit | 1 | ― | 380×273×182 | ― | (Undecided)
Logistics Efficiency through Unmanned Receiving: Hoshizaki's First "Outdoor Refrigerator/Freezer" Usable Outdoors Without a Roof
"Outdoor Refrigerator/Freezer" can be installed in outdoor environments with ambient temperatures ranging from -20℃ to 38℃. This is Hoshizaki's first product that can be used outdoors without a roof. Sales will begin in late June.
In addition to logistics problems and energy price fluctuations, the Logistics Efficiency Act imposes an obligation on shippers to make efforts regarding "improving loading efficiency," "reducing waiting times for cargo," and "reducing cargo handling times," leading to a noticeable increase in late-night and early-morning deliveries with less traffic congestion, and a reduction in delivery frequencies. With a shortage of personnel and storage space on the receiving side, there is an anticipated increase in demand for refrigerators/freezers that can receive cargo unmanned outdoors.
In developing its first outdoor product, Hoshizaki conducted rigorous quality tests. In addition to high waterproof performance (※3), for high-temperature countermeasures, it uses a compressor with higher cooling performance than standard commercial refrigerators and white painted steel plates that absorb less heat. Furthermore, crime and vandalism prevention measures have been taken, such as a tightening handle that reduces the risk of the door being left ajar, a structure that allows for padlock attachment, and the adoption of special screws.
Tightening handle with padlock attached
Lineup
Type | Model Name | Rated Internal Volume | Body Dimensions (W×D×H mm) | Refrigerant Used | Standard Price (Excl. Tax)
---|---|---|---|---|---
Outdoor Refrigerator | HOR-90A | 791 liters