Our beginnings were modest. Stellar was established in 1985 as a 12-person company specializing in refrigeration contracting, maintenance, service and parts supply. But the company branched out quickly as it fulfilled its vision of becoming a diversified contracting firm.

Today, Stellar has matured into a full-service firm with more than 600 employees, offering multifaceted design and construction services to businesses around the world. Throughout much of its recent history, Stellar has been continually ranked as one of the nation’s Top 25 companies in the design-build industry and among the top 100 contractors in the United States by Engineering News-Record.

1985 - Stellar is Founded

1985In July of 1985, Stellar opened in Jacksonville with fewer than 30 employees as a general contracting firm with a specialized refrigeration contracting, maintenance service and parts supply capability to service perishable food manufacturing and distribution industries. Stellar's first projects, the renovation and expansion of Epping Forest's Yacht and Country Club and service contracts for Tropicana, laid the groundwork for Stellar to become what it is today.

Mid 1990'sStellar diversifies into unified divisions for thermal construction, food & Beverage processing facilities, refrigeration contracting, distribution facilities and commercial design-build services. Services are added for business planning, real estate, site selection and financial brokerage. Stellar also increases its international presence in Canada, Venezuela, Brazil, Bahamas and the Middle East putting the company on the worldwide map.

Mid-1990s: - Stellar Diversifies

1986Stellar's 1985 projects were primarily contraction management contracts, but in 1986 Stellar started its first design-build project providing architecture, engineering, construction and refrigeration on a 198,000 square-foot public refrigerated warehouse for Industrial Cold Storage in Jacksonville. This project paved the way for Stellar to become the largest ammonia refrigeration contractor in the nation.

1986 - Stellar's first project

1999Stellar recognizes to form engineering and construction management teams focused on meeting specific industry requirements. Stellar also became the first company in Jacksonville history to be recognized with the Platinum Safety Award for the Associated Builders and Contractors.

1999 - $45 Million Dollar

1988Annual revenues double in each of the first three years, growing to $40 million as Stellar branches out into other fields. Stellar then designed and built its own corporate headquarters along Interstate-295 in Jacksonville. The initial design called for phased structures and the first structure was built to accommodate growth.

1988 - Revenues Double

2000 - Software

2000Stellar created new internet based software for facility managers and operators unheard of on the industry, yet extremely powerful in reducing accidents, government fines and/or shutdowns. Stellar Interactive Solutions provides software that effectively assists with a facility's daily operational activities for Process Safety Management, Risk Management training and maintenance. SIS is designed to help facilities meet compliance standards outlined by OSHA, EPAA, FDA and USDA.

1990As one of the largest industrial refrigeration contractors in the nation, Stellar expanded its parts and service coverage by opening new offices in five additional cities. Stellar also completed Tropicana's new administration headquarters and low temperate facilities providing services that included master planning, architecture, engineering, programming and space planning in addition to construction services and refrigeration.

1990 - $45 Million Dollars

2004Located along the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Stellar opened its newest international office in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. This office allows clients in the Middle East to better utilize Stellar's complete plant solutions to commercial, industrial and residential developments. Back in Jacksonville, Stellar completed construction of its new 42,000 square-foot fabrication facility.

2004 - Dubai

1991 - Expansions

1991Stellar's headquarters is expanded to meet consistent growth in employee base and added serves. The new 3-story structure added over 30,000 square-feet and was connected to the original building by way of a glass-enclosed atrium. Stellar was also recognized as one of the "First Coast Fifty" by Jacksonville Business Journal.

2005Stellar Interactive Solutions launched an innovative tool for evaluating plant operations called SimPro software at the IIAR Ammonia Refrigeration Conference in Acapulco, Mexico. This software was developed to allow users the opportunity perform maintenance and safety compliance procedures in a virtual reality environment based on a client's actual facility.

2005 - SimPro Software

1992Stellar adds self-performed thermal construction services to compliment its growing refrigeration contracting and services capabilities. From floors, through doors, and up to walls to the roof, Stellar's new thermal team committed themselves to installing high quality products that provide exceptional vapor barrier, integrity, efficiencies and long term performances.

1992 - Thermal Construction Services

2011Stellar is a $350 million company with more than 600 employees worldwide all creating award-winning food & beverage processing plants; refrigerated warehouses; distribution centers; commercial, institutional and military facilities; and industrial refrigeration, mechanical, thermal, cooling and power systems. Stellar now operates 12 support locations throughout the United States and has offices in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, China and Puerto Rico. The company also serves Central and South America, Europe and India.

2011 - $350 Million Dollar