User:Fred4200

In 1883, Ed Friedrich started his business in San Antonio. He produced several hand-crafted products including store fixtures, wood billiard tables and fine-carved cabinetry. Eventually, these products were phased out in favor of an emphasis on refrigeration. A little known piece of history is that Ed Friedrich started out fashioning furniture from the long, smooth horns of longhorn cattle. The curves of the horns were used to form unique chairs and settees that were popular with their clientele. Collections of the Friedrich longhorn furniture are on display in the San Antonio Museum of Art as well as the historic Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. The Buckhorn Saloon, which was opened by Ed Friedrich’s brother Albert, has a long and exciting history which includes being frequented in its heyday by such notables as Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders.

Ed Friedrich developed innovative products that were the forerunners of today's refrigeration systems. Salt brine freezer cases employed the natural cooling properties of salt to provide lower temperatures. Bunker-type refrigeration improved product displays by concealing the ice from view in side compartments.

After the industry had used every method of extracting the BTU of cooling from ice, it became obvious that there was a need for some type of mechanical refrigeration. By the time Ed's sons, George and Richard, joined the family business, Friedrich was making large food display cases. These products were important to both the public and the food industry because food remained fresher, more nutritious, and better looking for a longer period of time. Losses from food spoilage were also significantly reduced.

As the company grew, Friedrich continued to refine its products. George, an engineer, invented the innovative "floating air" principle. This was the concept that all manufacturers use to this day in open frozen food display cases. Revolutionizing refrigeration technology, this principle involved controlling the movement of refrigerated air over the food, thus eliminating the need for doors on most cases.

Throughout his life, Ed Friedrich instilled in his employees his attention to quality and detail. Friedrich products became known for superior materials and quality. By 1950 Friedrich had become one of the world's largest manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment. To capitalize on this well-deserved reputation, the company entered the field of room air conditioners. The first five hundred floating air window units came off the assembly line in 1952 and sales began to climb. Ultimately, this product line would constitute a significant portion of the company's total business.

By the early 1970's the growth of the domestic and international markets for commercial refrigeration and room air conditioners prompted construction of a two-story 600,000 square foot facility that also houses the corporate headquarters. Friedrich Air Conditioning Company is a North American manufacturer of premium room air conditioning products. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Friedrich Air Conditioning engineers have painstakingly designed a full range of products to condition individual rooms such as window air conditioners, through-the-wall air conditioners, packaged terminal air conditioners(ptac) hazardous location air conditioners and vertical air conditioners. Friedrich also markets portable and ductless split system air conditioners as well as air cleaners.

Today, Friedrich’s distribution and product lines continue to grow to meet the evolving needs of its customers. A nationwide network of authorized dealers and distributors is supported by a comprehensive service organization. Additionally, an internal Friedrich sales organization supports customer groups with specialized purchasing requirements.

Friedrich Air Conditioning's engineering team has focused on achieving very high energy efficiency ratings which have resulted in more than 25 Energy Star qualified models which are verified by AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers). And, Friedrich engineers have developed new design technology, an exponential scroll design, for example, to further reduce air conditioning operating noise caused by air movement.

Friedrich air conditioners are recognized worldwide for quality and workmanship. They can be found on oilrigs, in school buildings, in hotels and nursing care facilities, and in homes and apartments in the NE, Southeast, South Central and Canada.