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CIMCO Refrigeration technician inspecting an industrial ammonia refrigeration plant
CIMCO IMR - Inspect, Maintain, Replace

The Lifecycle Strategy That Pays Off

Refrigeration systems don't fail overnight; they fail over time. And in most cases, those failures are preventable.

5x Planned maintenance can reduce your total repair costs by up to 5x compared to reactive strategies
Inspection. Maintenance. Replacement.· Full Lifecycle Coverage· 550+ Certified Mechanics & Technicians Across North America· Every Refrigerant. Any Brand.
The Value of a Proactive Approach

A Plant That's Managed Performs Better

Your industrial refrigeration system is one of the hardest-working assets on your site. It runs through holidays, peak seasons, and overnight shifts, often without drawing attention.

But when systems aren't actively managed, small issues can go unnoticed, efficiency gradually declines, and costs start to creep up over time. In some cases, this leads to unexpected failures at the worst possible moment impacting operations, budgets, and overall continuity. The good news is most of this is preventable.

A plant that's properly inspected, maintained, and planned for doesn't just avoid problems; it performs better. You benefit from:

  • More stable, predictable operating costs
  • Improved system efficiency and energy performance
  • Fewer disruptions to daily operations
  • Better use of maintenance budgets over time

Rather than reacting to issues as they arise, a proactive approach helps you stay ahead, so your system keeps working the way it should, and your business keeps moving without interruption.

CIMCO Refrigeration industrial arena refrigeration plant
The IMR Approach

A Simple Framework That Works

Inspection. Maintenance. Replacement. Built to do more than just keep your system running, IMR is designed to lower your lifecycle costs, extend equipment life, and give you peace of mind through every season.

Inspect icon 01

Inspection

Your First Line of Defense

Scheduled inspections give you an honest, documented picture of system health from compressors and condensers to controls and refrigerant charge. Proactive inspections catch small issues before they become big problems.

We customize your inspection plan based on:

  • Your team, our team, or both
  • Equipment age and risk
  • Operational priorities
Maintain icon 02

Maintenance

The Smarter Way to Spend

Maintenance isn't a cost center; it's your savings engine. We maintain and optimize your system to deliver peak performance and maximize efficiency. We offer two clear options:

  • Planned Maintenance: Fixed pricing, scheduled service, full transparency
  • On-Demand Maintenance: For what's unexpected, with preferential rates
Replace icon 03

Replacement

Plan Ahead, Not in Panic

Equipment doesn't last forever. But with a replacement strategy, you'll never be caught off guard. This includes:

  • End-of-life asset planning
  • Budgeting and upgrade forecasting
  • Optional equipment coverage
The Bottom Line

Cutting Corners Today Means Cutting Cheques Tomorrow

Our IMR Approach is your proactive path to a lower total cost of ownership with less stress, less surprises, and more uptime.

Request a Service Assessment
What's Included

One Framework, Backed by Every CIMCO Service

From day-to-day service to mechanical trades, certified care, and system assessments, every part of your refrigeration lifecycle is covered.

CIMCO technician performing industrial refrigeration preventive maintenance

Preventive Services

Comprehensive day-to-day refrigeration service.

  • Preventive and predictive maintenance
  • Refrigeration system operations
  • 24-hour emergency services
  • Controls, BMS design and integration
  • Overhauls and rebuilds
  • Retrofits and replacements
CIMCO HVAC mechanic servicing equipment

Mechanical Service

HVAC and plumbing service for commercial and industrial facilities.

  • HVAC service
  • Plumbing service
CIMCO refrigeration technicians on site

Customer Service Agreement

Certified, agreement-based refrigeration care for complete peace of mind.

  • CIMCO Complete Care program
  • Ongoing certified service coverage
Industrial refrigeration system assessment

Assessment

Independent review of your refrigeration system's condition and performance.

  • Refrigeration System Review
  • Performance and condition reporting
CIMCO refrigeration parts inventory

Parts & Supplies

A comprehensive parts inventory to keep your system running.

  • $3+ Million in Parts and Inventory
  • Fast sourcing and availability across North America
The CIMCO Podcast

Beyond the System

Real conversations on refrigeration, reliability, and running smarter facilities, with the people who know these systems best.

Latest Episode Beyond the System podcast: What is IMR with Josh Bell and Dave Fauser
Episode 01 • Josh Bell & Dave Fauser

Don't Wait for It to Break: The IMR Approach

What if the biggest risk to your thermal system isn't something you can see but something building over time? Why do so many facilities end up waiting for a breakdown before taking action? And does maintaining your system really have to mean higher costs?

In this episode, Josh and Dave unpack the IMR approach, Inspect, Maintain, Replace, and explore how a simple shift in mindset can help you stay ahead. From what you can manage yourself to when it makes sense to call in a contractor, they break down how smarter planning can reduce surprises, control costs, and keep your system running with confidence.

Our Work

Projects That Deliver Results

From new facility builds to emergency turnarounds, see how CIMCO keeps operations running.

CIMCO mechanical installation for Bosco and Roxy's

Bosco and Roxy's Mechanical Installation

CIMCO's HVAC Construction Team in London recently delivered a comprehensive mechanical installation for Bosco and Roxy's Gourmet Dog Cookies, supporting the development of their brand-new production facility.

Read the project
CIMCO service team rallies for a bakery account

Service Team Rallies for Bakery Account

An international company specializing in artisan breads and pastries had a screw compressor down at its Ancaster, Ontario location that couldn't be repaired. CIMCO was there to help.

Read the project
What Our Clients Say

Trusted by Industry Leaders

In any arena facility the refrigeration system uses more than 40% of the energy consumed. It was important for the City of Stratford to maintain the refrigeration systems to manufacturers' specifications. An all-inclusive contract provides us with the service and comfort level so that I can enjoy my weekends without the nuisance calls. We can call CIMCO at any time and know that the problem will be solved in a timely manner with no surprise costs.
Jim Bryson
Jim Bryson
Manager of Facilities, City of Stratford
CIMCO conducts their business with the utmost professionalism and have always proposed innovative alternatives to optimize our system's performance and cost. Projects are completed on time and quality is never compromised.
Peter Reed
Peter Reed
Vice President of Logistics Services, Sobeys
CIMCO service and field support is second to none. In the fashion of a true partner, CIMCO has continued to ensure the Air Canada Centre refrigeration plant is performing at the highest level.
C. Morrell
C. Morrell
Manager, Engineering & Technical Services, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.
The CIMCO Difference

Built on a Century of Refrigeration Expertise

Safety & Compliance First

Our crews are trained, certified, and audited to the strictest local and federal codes.

Lower Lifecycle Costs

Proactive inspection and maintenance cost a fraction of emergency repairs and premature replacement. We help you spend a little now to spend far less later.

Control Over Risk & Performance

Detailed system insight and planned upgrades give you full visibility, so you make confident decisions and avoid the "run it till it fails" trap.

Smarter Capital Planning

End-of-life and asset planning tell you which equipment is aging out and when to budget, keeping capital plans on track and free of surprises.

How We Work

From First Visit to Ongoing Peace of Mind

1

Assess

We walk your plant, review history, and document current condition end to end.

2

Plan

You get a prioritized service plan matched to your equipment, risk, and budget.

3

Maintain

We execute planned and on-demand work, keeping your system tuned, efficient, and compliant.

4

Plan Ahead

We map end-of-life and upgrades so replacements are budgeted and strategic, never a surprise.

Who We Serve

Trusted Across Industrial Sectors

From cold storage warehouses to food and beverage plants and recreational ice, CIMCO maintains the refrigeration that keeps North American industry moving.

Cold Storage & Distribution Food & Beverage Processing Dairy & Brewing Recreational Ice Rinks Meat & Protein Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences Logistics & Warehousing Process Cooling
Get In Touch

Request Your Service Assessment

Tell us about your facility and a CIMCO refrigeration specialist will be in touch. See the regions we cover on the map.

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Let's Talk About Your Plant

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Areas We Cover
Common Questions

IMR Framework FAQs

What is CIMCO's IMR framework?

IMR stands for Inspection, Maintenance, and Replacement. Rather than managing refrigeration reactively, the framework treats your system as a complete lifecycle, combining tailored inspections, proactive maintenance, and planned replacement so you control risk, cost, and performance from commissioning to end of life.

Can't we just reduce inspections to save money?

In theory, yes, but in practice, fewer inspections usually mean hidden issues get missed, equipment wears faster, and you face costlier unplanned repairs or replacement later. Inspections are the most cost-effective way to catch a small problem before it becomes a big one. We tailor frequency to your equipment's size, age, and risk profile so you get the right level of oversight, not too much or too little.

What's the difference between planned and on-demand maintenance?

Planned maintenance is scheduled work with parts and labour included, with no surprises and no extra charges. On-demand maintenance covers unexpected issues, where hourly rates and discounts apply. The goal is to minimize on-demand interventions by keeping your system in peak condition, because reactive maintenance typically costs 2–5x more than preventive maintenance over the equipment's lifecycle.

How does replacement planning work?

We help you plan with end-of-life and asset planning, identifying which assets are aging out, when to budget, and how to prioritize by risk, cost, and system impact. Optional inclusive agreements can fold replacement coverage in to reduce financial surprises. It keeps capital planning on track and avoids the "run it till it fails" trap.

Do you service systems CIMCO didn't install?

Yes. Our technicians are trained across all major refrigerants and equipment brands, so we inspect, maintain, and plan replacements for systems regardless of who installed them or how old they are.

Take Control of Your Thermal Systems

Talk to a CIMCO specialist about an IMR agreement: inspection, maintenance, and replacement, built around your facility's risk, cost, and performance goals.

Request a Service Assessment