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Indel B is an Italian refrigeration manufacturer founded in 1967 that's built a reputation for producing some of the most reliable 12V and 24V compressor cooling systems in the mobile living sector. Based in Sant'Agata Feltria in northern Italy, the company employs over 500 people across multiple production facilities and specialises in DC-powered refrigeration for automotive, marine, hospitality, and outdoor recreation markets. For caravan and motorhome owners, Indel B matters because they're one of the few manufacturers designing refrigerators specifically for constant movement and vibration rather than adapting domestic appliances. Their products appear in millions of commercial vehicles from brands like Scania, Volvo, DAF, and Iveco, which tells you something about their industrial credibility. The company's leisure vehicle division operates under the OFF brand launched in 2020, offering both built-in refrigerators and portable coolers engineered for touring caravans, motorhomes, and campervans across Europe.
What sets Indel B apart from competitors is their engineering heritage and focus on 12V DC compressor technology. In 1982, NASA selected them to create refrigerators for the Space Shuttle Columbia - they were the only company worldwide whose products functioned properly in zero gravity conditions. That same attention to unusual operating environments translates well to caravans bouncing down country lanes. All Indel B leisure refrigerators use SECOP compressors (formerly Danfoss), which are hermetically sealed units designed for automotive applications. These aren't modified domestic compressors - they're purpose-built for mobile use with fan cooling, vibration resistance, and low power consumption. The company has been listed on the Milan Stock Exchange since 2017, giving them the financial stability to invest in research and development. Their production facilities maintain automotive quality standards, and many components come with E-Mark certification for vehicle installation.
The company's product range for UK caravan and motorhome owners includes the Cruise series of built-in refrigerators (42 to 130 litres), the Elite range with premium stainless steel effect finishes, and Travel Box portable units. Indel B also manufactures the Plein-Aircon 12V air conditioning system for campervans, plus specialist products like drawer refrigerators and truck fridges. Their focus on sustainability shows through low-consumption designs - average energy use sits around 0.324 kWh per 24 hours across their 12V range. The company works directly with major hotel chains like Hilton for minibar systems and supplies leading cruise lines, demonstrating their capability at commercial scale. In the UK market, Indel B positions itself as a value alternative to premium brands like Dometic, offering comparable specifications with SECOP compressors at lower prices. Distribution comes through specialist caravan and motorhome retailers rather than a dedicated dealer network. Technical support and parts availability in Britain runs through importers and stockists, which means service support depends on your chosen retailer. The OFF brand identity launched in 2020 represents Indel B's push to establish stronger recognition in the recreational vehicle market after decades of supplying OEM manufacturers behind the scenes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Indel B and where are they based?Indel B S.p.A. is a publicly traded Italian company listed on the Milan Stock Exchange since 2017. The company operates from multiple production facilities in northern Italy, with main plants in Sant'Agata Feltria and Novafeltria in the Rimini province, plus a facility in Cambiano near Turin through their Autoclima subsidiary. They employ over 500 people and generate annual revenues exceeding 100 million euros. The company remains Italian-owned and managed, maintaining its headquarters in the region where Italy's automotive industry developed.What is the OFF brand and how does it relate to Indel B?OFF is Indel B's dedicated brand for recreational outdoor life, launched in 2020. All Indel B products sold for caravans, motorhomes, and campervans carry the OFF branding, including Cruise refrigerators, Elite models, Travel Box portable fridges, and Plein-Aircon air conditioning systems. The OFF brand was created to establish stronger consumer recognition in the leisure vehicle market after decades of Indel B supplying products to OEM manufacturers under other brand names. Products carry both Indel B and OFF branding.Did NASA really use Indel B refrigerators in space?Yes, in 1982 NASA selected Indel B to create refrigerators for use aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Indel B was the only company worldwide whose compressor refrigerator technology functioned correctly in completely weightless environments. This selection demonstrated their engineering capability in extreme operating conditions. The same design principles that allowed their fridges to work in zero gravity - sealed hermetic compressors, vibration resistance, and reliable operation in unusual orientations - translate directly to caravan and motorhome applications where vehicles experience constant movement.What markets does Indel B serve besides caravans and motorhomes?Indel B operates across five main sectors: Automotive (truck cab refrigeration and air conditioning for commercial vehicles), Hospitality (minibars for hotels and cruise ships), Marine (refrigeration for boats and yachts through their Indel Webasto Marine joint venture), Adventure (recreational vehicles including caravans and motorhomes), and Wine/Coffee (specialized temperature-controlled storage). They supply major commercial vehicle manufacturers including Scania, Volvo, DAF, Iveco, Renault, Kenworth, and Peterbilt, plus international hotel chains like Hilton and NH Hotels.Are Indel B fridges made by the same company as Dometic?No, Indel B and Dometic are completely separate companies. Indel B is an independent Italian manufacturer based in Sant'Agata Feltria, whilst Dometic is a Swedish company headquartered in Stockholm. Both companies produce 12V compressor refrigerators for the caravan and motorhome market, and both use SECOP compressors in many models, but they design and manufacture their own products independently. Indel B typically positions as a more affordable alternative to Dometic's premium offerings whilst using similar core technology.How long has Indel B been making refrigerators?Indel B was founded in 1967 during the boom period of Italian automotive industry development. They started by producing the first 12V and 24V DC semi-hermetic compressors designed in Italy, then began manufacturing complete 12V/24V compressor refrigerators for vehicles and boats from 1968 onwards. By 1975 they had sold their first 100,000 refrigerators. The company has over 50 years of continuous experience in mobile refrigeration technology, with more than 3 million products sold globally during that time.What compressor technology does Indel B use in their fridges?Indel B refrigerators use SECOP compressors, which were previously branded as Danfoss before the refrigeration compressor division was sold and renamed. SECOP manufactures hermetically sealed compressors specifically designed for mobile applications with low power consumption, quiet operation, and vibration resistance. The most common model in Indel B leisure products is the BD35F unit. These compressors operate millions of refrigerators in commercial trucks and recreational vehicles worldwide, demonstrating proven reliability in automotive environments. The sealed units use R134a refrigerant and require no maintenance or recharging.Where can I buy Indel B products in the UK?Indel B refrigerators and air conditioning products are available through specialist caravan and motorhome retailers across the UK, including online suppliers like Leisureshopdirect. The company does not operate its own UK dealer network or retail outlets. Distribution comes through importers and stockists who supply the leisure vehicle industry. Technical support, warranty service, and parts availability depend on your chosen retailer rather than through a dedicated Indel B service network. Some retailers offer professional installation services for Indel B products.Does Indel B manufacture products for other brands?Yes, for many years Indel B operated primarily as an OEM manufacturer supplying refrigeration components and complete units to other brands. They have long-standing partnerships with commercial vehicle manufacturers who install Indel B refrigerators as factory-fit equipment under the vehicle manufacturer's branding. In the marine sector, Indel B works through their joint venture Indel Webasto Marine and previously supplied products branded as Isotherm. The OFF brand launched in 2020 represents their push to build direct consumer recognition in the leisure vehicle market.What makes Indel B different from other caravan fridge manufacturers?Indel B specializes exclusively in DC-powered compressor refrigeration technology rather than absorption fridges or adapted domestic appliances. Their products are designed from the ground up for mobile applications with constant vibration and movement. The company brings automotive industry quality standards to leisure products, using the same components and manufacturing processes that supply millions of commercial trucks. They focus on energy efficiency with average consumption around 0.324 kWh per 24 hours. Indel B typically offers lower pricing than premium brands like Dometic whilst using similar SECOP compressor technology.
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