We are a company of firsts delivering innovative technology solutions for refrigerated transport since 1981.
For over 40 years, RTE has remained a dedicated partner to the refrigerated transport industry, developing many of the technologies currently in use. Today, we continue to provide unique and creative solutions to data collection and management for the safe transportation of perishable containerized cargo.
The First in Reefer Controller Re-Manufacturing
RTE was humbly formed in 1981 to meet the emerging technological needs of the Refrigerated Shipping Industry. Today, we are the world leader in repairing, refurbishing and remanufacturing electronic controllers for Thermo King, Carrier, and others. And the processes we developed over 40 years ago continue today as the industry standard.
Rebuilding the Past. Developing the Future
While remanufacturing remains a significant part of our business model, RTE has evolved into an aggressively paced technology corporation. One that provides high-quality, state-of-the-art computer software and electronic hardware products that help operators within the refrigerated transportation industry save money, achieve greater efficiencies and have complete control over their data.
The First in Remote Reefer Monitoring
In 1985, RTE paved the way for remote monitoring refrigerated containers with the first commercial release of a Powerline Cable Transmission reefer monitoring system. At the time, mobile devices as we know them today didn’t exist. For that matter, wireless networks (WLAN) wouldn’t come out for another seven years! But it was RTE’s PCT system developed for Thermo King Corporation that first provided reefer operators with an invaluable tool for monitoring the condition reefers remotely, recording and tracking historical data, and offering better value for their customers.
The First in Wireless Reefer Monitoring
Refrigerated container transport has improved exponentially over the past several decades. And RTE has played a part at every turn. As advances in technology continued, RTE remained connected with the latest developments and once again released another industry first in 2011, wireless reefer monitoring in the form of our Wireless Reefer Acquisition Device (WRAD).
Moving Forward
We continue to innovate and expand our product offerings and services, helping operators within refrigerated transportation provide better value to their customers. Our most recent developments include the new WRAD II™, Optical Fuel Sensor, Interior Cargo Sensor, LoRa equipped Door Sensor, and the latest industry-first – GrAsPP™, the industry’s first Remote Reefer Monitoring Mobile Application.
ISO 9001 Certified
RTE is an ISO 9001:2015 certified Company for our New Product Manufacturing Division. This means our employees are committed to the Quality Management System, and it is the foundation of our Company, and our manufacturing processes are planned, verified, and tested to confirm compliance to our customer requirements. It is our mission to be the supplier of choice for the Mobile Refrigerated Transportation Industry by delivering the best customer experience for our products and services.
A Company of Firsts
Technological Milestones
1981
RTE founded as the first company to offer electronic remanufacturing of reefer controllers.
1985
Released the first commercially available Powerline Cable Transmission Reefer Monitoring System, Thermo NetTM - a registered trademark of Thermo King Corp
1993
RTE released the first Dual Data Rate PCT system complying with ISO10368 requirements.
2000
Introduced GRASPNet PCT Networking System for advanced data collection and record-keeping that uses the same communication protocols as the Internet, TCP/IP.
2006
Released GRIP - a cutting-edge reefer data acquisition device delivered years before iPhones and apps.
Opened our regional office in Panama to better support LATAM refrigerated transport industry.
2011
First Wireless Reefer Acquisition Device (WRAD) was released, changing the nature of reefer monitoring and making it accessible for smaller reefer operators.
2012
Released the Networked RRCE-T System, the Remote Reefer Communication Engine became the first reefer monitoring solution that offered terminals complete control over their data collection environment.
2013
GRASP 3.0 Software introduced as an industry-changing solution to reefer monitoring, providing Web or Windows-based UI and the ability to interface with TOS and 3rd party software systems.
2015
Introduced an Ultrasonic Fuel Sensor, eliminating false fuel readings due to mechanical obstructions or failures from conventional float-operated fuel level gauges.
2016
The introduction of the RRCE-D system, a distributed network of data pushing communication devices, provided the first High-Availability platform in real-time monitoring.
2018
RTE receives ISO 9001:2015 certification for new product manufacturing.
2019
RTE Cargo Sensor Released; Optical Fuel Sensor Released for easy installation into any size fuel tank.
2020
RTE achieves NAVIS Ready validation for the GRASP 3.0 Remote Reefer Monitoring System with Navis N4 3.7.5.1
2021
Released RTE Door Sensor, the first to feature LoRa Communication; WRAD II™ Wireless Reefer Monitoring Device; and GrAsPP™, the industry’s first Reefer Monitoring Mobile Application.
Larry Brickner, RTE Founder
Laurence R. Brickner, born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on September 19, 1942, spent a lifetime following his passion for electronic engineering, beginning after receiving his BSEE degree from the University of Wyoming in 1965 and serving seven years in the United States Air Force through 1969.
In 1969, Larry joined the Advanced Systems Development Group of Automatic Electric Laboratories in Northlake, Illinois, attaining the position of Senior Supervisor, CPU Development before accepting a position with Booz Allen Applied Research in 1973.
While with Sea-Land Services starting in 1975, he began a direction towards refrigerated transport by holding roles that included Director of Bulk, Hazardous, and Perishable Commodities and Director of Research and Development. The latter involved Remote Refrigeration Monitoring and automated handling of containers.
With years of experience in hand, Larry ventured on his own in 1981, founding Refrigerated Transport Electronics, where he served as President from 1981 to 2005.
RTE
1 West Center Street McGraw, NY 13101 USA
RTE PANAMA
And we’re just getting started
Technology is constantly changing, and RTE is continually researching unique ways to use it to improve cold-chain transportation and support our industry.
What’s next? Stay connected and be the first to hear the latest development from RTE.