Who We Are
Improved Performance Starts Here
Since 1942, Hotstart has been the world leader in the design and manufacture of thermal management systems. The initial need of keeping school buses warm in winter resulted in engine heating products that continue to be used by major OEMs globally. With over 75 years of experience, the company continues to provide high quality, reliable preheating systems to customers needing easy engine starts, immediate full power and reductions in maintenance, fuel consumption and harmful emissions.
As the energy landscape evolves, we are drawing on our expertise to develop innovative heating and cooling solutions. Power generation, storage and delivery methods are changing quickly and require new approaches to achieve sustainability and energy-efficiency goals. Targeted, liquid-based thermal management in place of traditional air conditioning is ideal for battery energy storage, fuel cells and electrified industrial vehicles.
“We have 200 extremely talented, gifted, fun people that work together well as a team. They care about each other, they care about their work and they care about their customers. Great things happen when we all row together in the same direction.”
—Terry Judge, CEO
HOTSTART History
“My grandfather, Stanley Power, started up the company in 1942—75 years ago. The company has been amazingly successful because of the people that we have. Everything else falls into place. Customers get taken care of—the right things happen.”
—Rick Robinson, Retired CEO
1942
Wayne Kimberlin develops a unique electric heater for school buses. Kimberlin partners with Stanley Power to make and sell the “Kim Hotstart” for heavy diesel and gas equipment.
1944
Power purchases the company from Kimberlin and renames it Kim Hotstart Company.
1945
Power moves the company to a new warehouse in Spokane, Washington, USA.
1978
To expand operations, Kim Hotstart moves to its current location, a 142,000 sq ft facility.
2009
The company rebrands, becoming HOTSTART. To better serve Europe, a sales office is opened in Siegburg, Germany.
2011
Hotstart Asia Pacific, Ltd. is established, allowing for local sales support to the APAC region.
2018
As business opportunities in Europe increase, Hotstart Europe GmbH moves from Siegburg to Köln, Germany.
2020
The company introduces a new brand, Hotstart Thermal Management, to position itself as a leader in performance-improving cooling and heating technologies.
