Schmitz Cargobull Invests in SZIT to expand Cold Chain Capabilities in India

Germany/India- Schmitz Cargobull AG., a manufacturer of semi-trailers, has announced a strategic investment in Sub Zero Insulation Technologies Pvt Ltd (SZIT)., an Indian producer of refrigerated and dry freight truck bodies. Under the agreement, Schmitz Cargobull will acquire a 27.5% equity stake in SZIT, with the option to increase its shareholding in the future.

The partnership marks an important milestone in Schmitz Cargobull’s global expansion strategy and reinforces its commitment to India’s rapidly growing cold chain logistics market.

Mr. Andreas Schmitz, CEO of Schmitz Cargobull AG, said, “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 efficient, high-quality transport solutions across India and beyond. This is not just about business growth—it’s about enabling infrastructure that reduces the 30–40% of perishable produce lost annually due to inadequate cold-chain facilities, losses that also contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.”

Both Schmitz Cargobull and Sub Zero are family-led companies with a long-term vision, a strong cultural alignment, and a focus on innovation and customer-centric development. The Khira family’s legacy in vehicle body building dates back to 1949, and since its founding in 2015, Sub Zero has built a reputation for modern, high-quality insulated and refrigerated truck bodies.

Today, Sub Zero produces over 1,500 units annually and is an approved supplier for leading OEMs including Tata Motors, Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, Volvo Eicher, Isuzu, and Bharat Benz.

Mr. Deep Khira, Founder & CEO of Sub Zero, said, “This partnership represents a pivotal moment for Sub Zero and for India’s cold chain ecosystem. With Schmitz Cargobull as our partner, we are entering a new era of quality, technology, and international standards. By improving cold-chain efficiency, we can reduce wastage, enhance farmer incomes, improve food security, and significantly lower the carbon footprint from decomposing perishables.”

The collaboration will modernize Sub Zero’s Pune facility, integrate Schmitz Cargobull’s insulated panel and telematics technology, enable training exchanges between Indian and German teams, and support the export of modular refrigerated and dry freight body kits for domestic and global markets.

This investment underlines Schmitz Cargobull’s commitment to strengthening its presence in emerging markets while promoting sustainable, locally adapted transport solutions that improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

You must be logged in to respond.