Bartlett Company History
Bartlett has a long and established heritage as a leading commercial refrigeration, air conditioning and HVAC contractor in the South West of England, delivering engineering excellence, innovation and trusted service since 1958.
Founded by Ken Bartlett in 1958, the company was formally incorporated as K F Bartlett Ltd in 1959 and quickly expanded across the region, establishing a strong network of offices and service centres to support customers throughout Devon, Cornwall and the wider South West.
Expansion Across the South West (1960s–2000s)
In 1960, Bartlett opened its first office and showroom in Exeter, followed by further expansion into Torquay (1962), Plymouth (1965), and Camborne (1968), strengthening regional coverage across the South West.
Strategic acquisitions further enhanced service capability and geographical reach, including:
- 1987 – Acquisition of Kivel Refrigeration in Bude, improving coverage across North Devon and Cornwall
- 1992 – Acquisition of R & E Refrigeration in Truro, expanding service throughout Cornwall
- 1999 – Acquisition of Charles Refrigeration in Plymouth
- 2000 – Acquisition of Barnett Brothers Refrigeration in Saltash
Modern Growth & Investment (2011–Present)
In 2011, the Camborne office was relocated to larger, modern premises in Redruth to support continued growth and service development.
In 2018, Bartlett acquired Roswithian Catering Engineers in Redruth, strengthening its commercial catering and kitchen services division.
In 2019, the Plymouth and Paignton offices were consolidated into a new, purpose-built facility at South Brent, improving operational efficiency and regional service delivery.
In 2022, Bartlett transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), ensuring long-term stability, staff engagement and continued customer-focused service.
In 2025, the company further expanded with the opening of a new office in Plymouth, reinforcing its long-term commitment to serving the South West.
Leading HVAC & Refrigeration Engineers in the South West
Today, Bartlett continues to be a trusted name in commercial refrigeration, air conditioning, HVAC systems and catering equipment installation, combining decades of experience with modern engineering solutions to deliver reliable, energy-efficient systems across commercial, industrial and public sector projects.
