Charlotte, NC, February 4, 2026
Kanbrick, a Charlotte-based investment partnership, has successfully acquired Keep Supply, a leading provider of industrial refrigeration parts. This acquisition exemplifies the commitment to fostering growth in resilient small businesses. By focusing on strategic, long-term investments, Kanbrick aims to enhance economic vitality and job creation not just locally, but nationally. Keep Supply has shown significant growth since its inception, highlighting the power of private equity in supporting specialized, founder-led businesses.
Charlotte, NC – The spirit of entrepreneurial innovation and strategic investment continues to define the landscape of American business, and Charlotte’s own Kanbrick is at the forefront of this dynamic growth. The long-term investment partnership, headquartered right here in Charlotte, recently announced its strategic acquisition of Keep Supply, a leading Nationwide provider of industrial refrigeration parts. This move highlights how strategic private investment can propel resilient small businesses to new heights, fostering economic expansion that resonates far beyond local markets.
This partnership between a Charlotte-based firm and a thriving industrial supplier from Missouri underscores a powerful economic truth: when visionary investors back companies built on strong fundamentals and a commitment to service, the result is often accelerated growth and enhanced market capabilities. It’s a testament to the power of capital deployed with a long-term perspective, aimed at strengthening businesses brick by brick rather than seeking quick returns.
The acquisition reflects a broader trend of private equity firms recognizing the immense value in specialized, founder- and family-owned businesses that have carved out unique niches through dedication and customer focus. For Charlotte, it solidifies our city’s growing reputation as a hub for sophisticated investment and a driver of national economic vitality, showcasing how local financial leadership contributes to job creation and sustained prosperity across various sectors.
Charlotte’s Kanbrick Invests in Nationwide Industrial Refrigeration Leader
Kanbrick, a Charlotte, NC-based investment partnership established in 2020, has announced a strategic partnership with Keep Supply, a prominent provider of industrial refrigeration parts and equipment. This acquisition signals Kanbrick’s continued focus on investing in founder- and family-owned businesses across North America, aiming to foster long-term growth and operational excellence. The investment aligns with Kanbrick’s philosophy of acting as a “long-term business builder” that prioritizes enduring success over short-term financial gains.
Keep Supply’s Journey of Innovation and Growth
Keep Supply, founded in 2017 in Springfield, Missouri, by Josh Burch, Drake Hughes, and Chris Langston, emerged with a mission to revolutionize the industrial refrigeration parts industry. The company quickly differentiated itself by offering a robust portfolio of parts alongside best-in-class customer service and an efficient e-commerce platform. This innovative approach allowed Keep Supply to serve customers across the United States and ship to over 70 countries globally.
The company has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, achieving an average annual growth rate of 62% over five years and expanding its team to 125 members. Keep Supply’s success is also attributed to its strong company culture, which emphasizes transparency, comprehensive employee benefits, and opportunities for professional development. The company serves over 20,000 customers Nationwide, offering a mix of original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) parts and high-quality aftermarket replacement items.
Kanbrick’s Unique Investment Philosophy
Kanbrick, co-founded by Tracy Britt Cool and Brian Humphrey, both of whom have backgrounds shaped by family businesses and leadership roles at Berkshire Hathaway, brings a distinctive approach to private equity. Their investment strategy centers on thinking in decades rather than the typical three to five-year hold periods often seen in traditional private equity. This long-term perspective is designed to protect and enrich the legacy of the acquired businesses while accelerating their growth through strategic capital and operational resources.
The Charlotte-based firm works to embed its “Kanbrick Business System” within partner companies, focusing on talent development, strategic planning, key performance indicators, capital allocation, and a consistent management cadence to drive sustainable growth. Keep Supply’s CEO, Josh Burch, was notably introduced to Kanbrick through its “Build with Kanbrick” program in 2024, an experience that highlighted shared cultural values and a long-term vision for business development. Kanbrick managed approximately $280 million in regulatory assets as of December 31, 2024, demonstrating its capacity for significant investment.
Impact on the Industrial Refrigeration Market
The industrial refrigeration market is a vital component of the Nationwide and global economy, supporting essential industries such as food and beverage processing, cold storage, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. This market has shown robust growth, with a global market size valued at $21.9 billion in 2020 and projected to reach $41.7 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2023 to 2032. Other projections indicate the market reached USD 26.49 billion in 2026 and is expected to grow to USD 32.41 billion by 2031 with a 4.12% CAGR. The U.S. market alone was valued at over USD 3.3 billion in 2024.
Key drivers for this growth include the ongoing phase-out of high global-warming-potential refrigerants, increasing investments in environmentally friendly ammonia and carbon dioxide equipment, and a strategic shift among end-users from prioritizing upfront costs to considering the total lifecycle costs of refrigeration systems. Kanbrick’s investment in Keep Supply positions the company to capitalize on these trends, further expanding its portfolio and strengthening its relationships with customers and vendors across the Nationwide industrial landscape.
Charlotte’s Role in Fueling Economic Advancement
This acquisition underscores Charlotte, NC’s increasing prominence as a center for impactful financial investment and strategic business development. The presence of firms like Kanbrick, which are committed to nurturing and expanding businesses with a long-term outlook, contributes significantly to the economic vitality of North Carolina entrepreneurs and beyond. Such private sector investments often empower companies like Keep Supply to innovate, create jobs, and enhance their services without the burden of excessive regulation, ultimately benefiting a wider array of industries and consumers.
Charlotte’s growing financial sector and supportive business environment continue to attract and cultivate firms dedicated to practical, hands-on partnerships that drive real economic value. This strategic alliance is an example of how disciplined private capital can support the foundational industries crucial for the Nation’s infrastructure and supply chains.
Conclusion
The partnership between Charlotte-based Kanbrick and industrial refrigeration parts leader Keep Supply is a powerful illustration of how strategic investment can unlock significant growth for innovative, founder-led businesses. It highlights the importance of patient capital and a business-building mindset in a specialized industry vital to the Nationwide economy. As Charlotte continues to grow as a hub for financial and business leadership, these investments contribute to a robust economic future, supporting North Carolina entrepreneurs and fostering Charlotte NC business success.
We encourage our readers to recognize the profound impact that such strategic partnerships have on Charlotte’s economic growth and the wider business landscape. Supporting local businesses, understanding the dynamics of private investment, and staying engaged in discussions about policies that encourage entrepreneurial innovation are all crucial for continuing Charlotte’s impressive trajectory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Kanbrick’s primary business?
Kanbrick is a Charlotte, NC-based long-term investment partnership that focuses on investing in and building founder- and family-owned businesses in North America.
What does Keep Supply do?
Keep Supply is a leading Nationwide provider of industrial refrigeration parts and equipment.
Where is Keep Supply headquartered?
Keep Supply was founded in 2017 in Springfield, Missouri.
What is the size of the global industrial refrigeration market?
The global industrial refrigeration market size was valued at $21.9 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $41.7 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2032.
How did Keep Supply achieve its growth?
Keep Supply achieved significant growth by offering a robust parts portfolio, best-in-class service, and utilizing an e-commerce model, serving customers across the United States and shipping to over 70 countries globally.
Key Features of the Kanbrick-Keep Supply Partnership
| Feature | Description | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Acquiring Firm | Kanbrick, a Charlotte, NC-based long-term investment partnership | Charlotte, NC |
| Acquired Company | Keep Supply, a leading provider of industrial refrigeration parts and equipment | Nationwide, Global (ships to over 70 countries) |
| Keep Supply Founding Year | 2017 | N/A |
| Keep Supply Headquarters | Springfield, Missouri | N/A |
| Keep Supply Team Members | 125 team members | N/A |
| Keep Supply Average Annual Growth (5 years) | 62% | N/A |
| Kanbrick Investment Philosophy | Long-term partnership, focused on building founder- and family-owned businesses, thinking in decades | North America focused investments |
| Global Industrial Refrigeration Market Size (2020) | $21.9 billion | Nationwide, Global |
| Projected Global Industrial Refrigeration Market Size (2032) | $41.7 billion | Nationwide, Global |
| U.S. Industrial Refrigeration Market Value (2024) | Over USD 3.3 billion | Nationwide |
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