About Peak THERMO KING

The foundation of what would become Peak Thermo King was laid in the midst of a changing world. In 1942, Warren E. Pugh began his industrial career with the Cummins Engine Company, stepping into an industry that demanded precision and reliability. By 1943, he had secured the position of the original Cummins distributor for Utah and Idaho. For the next three decades, Warren didn't just sell engines; he built a reputation. Under his leadership, the organization became known for technical excellence and an unwavering commitment to keeping customers running. These principles remain the bedrock of our culture today.

In 1970, recognizing a shift in the logistics landscape, the Pugh family diversified into the emerging transport refrigeration market. They established Thermo King Intermountain, planting a flag in the Intermountain West and signaling a commitment to not just powering the truck, but protecting the cargo. Warren continued to lead the organization with steady hands until 1974, when he facilitated a smooth transition of leadership to the next generation.

The torch passed in 1974 to Warren’s sons, marking the start of an aggressive era of growth. Lorin Pugh took the helm as the Cummins distributor, while his brother, Don Pugh, assumed the role of General Manager. Together, they did not settle for maintaining the status quo; they focused on strengthening their regional presence and elevating service standards across the territory.

In 1987, Don Pugh executed a major strategic expansion, extending the family’s industrial footprint beyond the Intermountain West. He acquired Cummins operations in the Pacific Northwest, a move that successfully positioned the family in a critical logistics hub for nearly two decades. Building on this momentum, the family further solidified its authority in the cold chain in 1990 with the addition of Thermo King Northwest. This acquisition was pivotal. It extended the company’s service capabilities into the Pacific Northwest and secured its influence over key freight corridors connecting the coast to the rest of the country.

A defining moment in the company’s history arrived in 2006, signaling a generational shift in leadership and operational focus. Don Pugh sold Thermo King Northwest to a strategic partnership group led by his son, Brandon Pugh, who assumed the role of President. Joining him in ownership were key industry professionals JR Zundel, Dennis Parker, and Russ Bowdidge. Under this new leadership, Thermo King Northwest sharpened its focus on customer service and market expansion in the Pacific Northwest.

This same year marked the conclusion of the Pugh family’s formal ties to the Cummins distribution network, as Don Pugh exited Cummins Northwest and Lorin Pugh concluded his tenure at Cummins Intermountain. This transition represented a deliberate pivot, allowing the family and its partners to direct their full energy and resources toward the transport refrigeration sector.

Five years later, in 2011, the family deepened its commitment to the industry. Don Pugh, alongside his sons James and Tim, acquired Thermo King Intermountain. This acquisition was more than a business transaction; it was a strategic reclamation that brought the Intermountain operations back under direct family ownership. With James and Tim stepping into key leadership roles, the organization revitalized its infrastructure and service capabilities.

For the next decade, Thermo King Northwest and Thermo King Intermountain operated as distinct but parallel powerhouses. While legally separate, both organizations were driven by the same fundamental values of integrity, performance, and a Service First mindset. This period of parallel growth laid the critical groundwork for the eventual integration, as both entities strengthened their respective markets and prepared for the future.

By 2021, Thermo King Intermountain and Thermo King Northwest merged into a single, integrated organization under the Peak Thermo King name. This strategic consolidation reunited the Pugh brothers, Tim, Jim, and Brandon. It brought their collective experience and leadership back under a single, unified structure.

This moment marked a pivotal step in the company’s evolution, merging decades of regional expertise with one leadership vision and one Service First culture. The goal was clear: build a stronger, more consistent organization capable of supporting fleets across a broader geographic footprint while maintaining the high standards each region was known for.

Following this integration, the executive team focused on disciplined growth rather than expansion for expansion’s sake. Every opportunity was evaluated through the lens of cultural alignment, operational excellence, and long-term value for customers. That deliberate approach led to one of the most significant milestones in the company’s history.

In 2025, Peak Thermo King executed a major strategic expansion into Texas with the acquisition of multiple well-established Thermo King and trailer repair operations. These organizations were successful, respected leaders in their markets, built on strong customer relationships, experienced teams, and proven performance in some of the most demanding transportation and energy environments in the country. Rather than replacing what already worked, Peak Thermo King built upon it, recognizing the strength of the existing operations and the value they brought to the organization.

The move represented far more than geographic growth. It extended Peak Thermo King’s reach into critical transportation corridors and energy-driven markets while uniting proven regional expertise with the company’s Service First philosophy, technical standards, and long-term vision. It reflected a confident, forward-looking strategy by the executive team to position Peak Thermo King for sustained growth, greater operational depth, and continued leadership in the transport refrigeration industry.