Building a Trailer Legacy
——The Evolution of P & F Trailer Group
Time-stamped History: Tracing the growth of our company from its inception to the present, highlighting key milestones that define our journey.
Sprouting (2017 – 2021)
September 2017 – October 2019: The Early Stages
It all began in September 2017, when Larry Klein, founder of Camp Keystone, rented a refrigerated trailer for his summer event catering business. Dissatisfied with the low-quality insulation and unreliable cooling performance, Larry resolved to design a custom-made refrigerated trailer that would meet his high standards. Larry partnered with Allan Zhang, a supplier from China with over 20 years of experience in trailer design. By Spring 2018, the first-generation prototypes—5ft, 8ft, and 12ft models—were produced, marking the start of a venture that would change the cold chain landscape.
In July 2019, Bill Gao, an education business entrepreneur, met Larry during a visit to Los Angeles. Larry shared the idea of a temporary refrigerated trailer rental business, filling a niche in the event and supermarket sectors. A month later, Bill and Larry formalized their partnership, and Bill joined the venture as a co-founder, handling supply chain management and production. Allan's expertise was key to refining the second-generation trailers based on Larry’s user feedback.
December 2019 was a pivotal moment—the first operational KIC (Keep It Cold) trailer rolled off the production line, just as KIC was officially registered in California. This marked the beginning of a dynamic cold chain solutions business in the U.S.
Growth (2020 – 2023)
2020: Adapting to New Markets and New Challenges
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, KIC trailers proved their value by supporting various industries that needed mobile cold storage. In March 2021, KIC expanded its partnerships to Japan. Lucas Zhang, a student at Kobe University, joined the venture, facilitating collaborations with Daigo Goto, CEO of Cold Storage Japan Inc. By October 2021, the first Japan-localized KIC trailer was deployed at Kitano Regional Church in Kobe.
In December 2020, Lucas Zhang entered a partnership with Cold Storage Japan Inc., which set the stage for localizing refrigerated trailers in Japan. This partnership led to the development and production of refrigerated trailers tailored to meet Japanese market standards.
Meanwhile, in China, KIC collaborated with Shenyang Ice Forest to enhance trailer refrigeration performance. By August 2021, KIC’s trailer production chain was fully localized, ensuring product independence from design to delivery. Paraiso Industrial & Technical Co., LTD., the official name for KIC's Chinese branch, was formed in October 2021, signifying a new era of trailer manufacturing excellence.
2022: Expansion into New Markets
KIC trailers became increasingly popular in the U.S. and Japan. By May 2022, Paraiso successfully launched a series of trailer components such as toolbox, jack, and coupler parts. The company also began exporting aluminum trailers to the U.S. and received a significant investment to expand its operations.
In April 2023, the Japan-localized Cold Storage Box, a solar-powered refrigerated trailer, gained HACCP certification, signaling its readiness for the Japanese market. It was officially launched in May 2023 and received widespread media coverage.
Maturity (2023 – Present)
2023: Establishing Fantastico and Diversifying Product Lines
As demand grew for aluminum and hydraulic trailers, Paraiso branched out into multiple product categories, including camping trailers and hydraulic enclosed trailers. In July 2023, Fantastico, a new brand under the P & F Group umbrella, was officially founded to specialize in aluminum and steel-wood deck trailers.
In October 2023, P & F Trailer's first large-scale localized trailers debuted at events in Japan. The company gained international recognition when its Cold Storage Box was selected by the United Nations in April 2024 as part of its Sustainable Technology Promotion Platform. By July 2024, Cold Storage Japan Inc. had obtained a patent for the innovative Teardrop Trailer in Japan.
The Future: Looking Ahead
P & F Trailer Group remains committed to pushing the boundaries of trailer technology, with ongoing research into smart trailer systems and eco-friendly innovations. Our journey from small, custom trailers to becoming a trusted name in cold chain logistics exemplifies our mission to create flexible, high-quality solutions for customers around the world.