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Expert IQF Tunnel Freezer Systems & Design

Hixson designs IQF tunnel freezer systems that support consistent product quality, efficient heat transfer, hygienic operation, and dependable cold-chain performance. Our integrated architecture and engineering teams coordinate process layouts, refrigeration loads, utilities, controls, sanitation, and compliance requirements so frozen food manufacturers can expand capacity, reduce risk, and move from concept through commissioning with confidence.

IQF tunnel freezer system in a frozen food facility

Our IQF Tunnel Freezer Systems & Design Services

Integrated engineering for freezing systems, refrigeration, sanitation, controls, utilities, and cold-chain facility performance.

Frozen Foods Design

Facility design for IQF products, frozen meals, vegetables, seafood, bakery, desserts, meat, and poultry with raw/RTE segregation, sanitary flow, freezing, glazing, storage, and compliant process layouts.

Industrial Refrigeration

Engineering for ammonia, freon, and CO2-based refrigeration systems supporting IQF tunnels, blast freezing, cold rooms, refrigerated warehouses, controls integration, and PSM-compliant ammonia documentation.

Cold Chain Engineering

Design of refrigerated docks, freezers, racking, AS/RS, shuttle systems, dock seals, frozen storage, and logistics infrastructure that protects product temperature from production through distribution.

Process Engineering

Process and manufacturing engineering for cooking, chilling, conveying, freezing, packaging, utility requirements, P&IDs, equipment specifications, FAT/SAT, startup support, and commissioning coordination.

Controls Automation

Automation strategy, PLC programming, HMI development, network design, control panels, FAT/SAT, and commissioning support for tunnel freezer operations and connected packaging or warehouse systems.

Sanitary Design

Hygienic zoning, cleanable finishes, slope-to-drain coordination, sanitary piping, allergen control, CIP-ability review, and food safety alignment with FDA, USDA, SQF, and recognized hygienic standards.

Engineers reviewing IQF freezer system plans

Our Integrated IQF Design Process

Define Product and Freezing Requirements

Hixson begins by clarifying product characteristics, throughput, dwell time, temperature targets, packaging interfaces, cleaning expectations, and operational goals. This creates a practical basis for equipment sizing, refrigeration load development, and facility planning.

Develop Process Flow and Layouts

Engineer Refrigeration and Utilities

Integrate Controls and Compliance

Support Startup and Commissioning

Trusted By Industry

Proven Project Experience

Hixson supports leading manufacturers with complex food, beverage, cold-chain, and facility engineering projects.

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis

"Very cool place with nice employees."

RaiderGreg
RaiderGreg

"Love it."

Zachary Waas
Zachary Waas

"Great Group of people. Thank You for supporting Special Olympics!"

Rebekah Travis
Rebekah Travis
The Hixson Difference

Why Choose Hixson?

Hixson brings specialized engineering depth to complex frozen food and cold-chain projects.

75+ Years

Founded in 1948, Hixson brings decades of food and beverage facility expertise.

Integrated Disciplines

Twenty in-house technical disciplines coordinate architecture, process, refrigeration, controls, utilities, and compliance.

Food Focus

Specialized teams understand frozen foods, sanitary design, raw/RTE segregation, and SQF requirements.

Lower Risk

Proven project management and performance tools help reduce execution risk and improve outcomes.

Meet The Engineering Team

Experienced leaders guide complex freezer and facility projects.

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John Brockmeier P.E.

Manager, Plumbing Systems & Fire Protection Engineering

John oversees the department responsible for the design and engineering of plumbing systems and fire protection engineering for a variety of project types, including new construction, building utility upgrades, utility capacity analyses, and process line additions. John and his team work with a range of systems, including domestic water, process water, hot water production, direct contact water heaters, high pressure/rinse water, compressed air, natural gas, sanitary drainage, process drainage, central sanitation systems, fire pumps, and fire sprinkler systems.

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Craig Cheevers

Manager, Controls & Automation Engineering

As the Manager of Hixson's Controls & Automation department, Craig guides the team responsible for designing, implementing, and commissioning advanced control systems and automation solutions. His responsibilities include overseeing the development of automation strategies that streamline manufacturing processes, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure seamless integration of new and existing systems.

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Warren Green, P.E.

Manager, Process Engineering

Warren leads the team providing processing design services, process optimization studies, and process commissioning and FAT, SAT, and IQ activities. He advises on waste, energy, and GHG emissions reductions, and conducts safety and dust evaluations, including PSM/HAZOP. His expertise spans all food and beverage sectors including fluid, dried and cultured dairy products, processed meat, flavors, and prepared foods. Warren is also on the IDFA Food Safety Committee and actively participates in the 3A, SSI steering committee, and work groups.

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Steve Guyer, P.E.

Manager, Civil Engineering

In his role as Manager of Civil Engineering, Steve leads the team responsible for the planning, design, and engineering of roads, stormwater hydraulics and modeling, and onsite utilities. On project work, Steve is responsible for civil site project design, specifications, technical design, and project coordination with the client, government regulatory bodies, outside consultants, and contractors. As a senior staff member with our firm, Steve also serves as a mentor to newer associates.

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Chris Jarc, P.E., PMP, LEED AP

Vice President & Director, Project Management Services

Chris, a Hixson officer and member of the Board of Directors, oversees Hixson’s Project Management, Cost Estimating, and Construction Administration departments. Chris also serves in a project management role, leading teams consisting of representatives from the client, Hixson, contractors, and vendors to effective project completion. Chris assumes overall responsibility for development of project delivery strategies, coordination of all Hixson disciplines, and facilitating effective communication and management to focus resources on delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget.

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Dave Klenk

Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Dave brings more than three decades of experience to his role as the Manager of Hixson’s Mechanical Engineering Department. His work has included the design and project management of new facilities, as well as modification of existing facilities for high technology and food processing industries. At a corporate level, Dave is a member of Hixson’s Dairy and Beverage Industry team, which works to continuously improve the value Hixson offers to the dairy industry through development of our knowledge base, services and capabilities.

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Kyle McAllister

Manager, Electrical Engineering

Kyle serves as the Manager of Hixson’s Electrical Engineering department. In this role, he oversees the team responsible for the creation and delivery of electrical designs. This includes the design of high, medium, and low voltage power distribution, lighting, telecommunications, and fire alarm systems. Kyle brings more than 15 years of experience in electrical consulting and design to his role. Areas in which Kyle specializes include electrically hazardous area classification, high- and medium-voltage power distribution, protective relaying, arc flash studies, harmonics analysis, cogeneration design, emergency systems design, and complex laboratory designs.

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Scott McGlamery, P.E.

Senior Vice President, and Director, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering

Scott, an officer of the firm, leads the teams responsible for mechanical and electrical project tasks and design, specifications, technical content, consultation during equipment selection and installation and systems start-up assistance. In addition, Scott also serves as the Quality Assurance Manager, overseeing the firm’s commitment to quality. Over Scott’s more than three decades of experience, he has worked on greenfield, brownfield, and renovation projects for food & beverage plants in all sectors, labs, pharma & biotech facilities, and workplace projects.

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Scott Wever

Manager, Manufacturing Engineering

In his role as Manager of Hixson’s Manufacturing Engineering department, Scott leads the team responsible for project consulting and coordination between client, vendor, and internal disciplines within Hixson for overall manufacturing processes, functionality, equipment, and layouts. These team members develop process flow diagrams, equipment lists, and preliminary utility requirements, as well as develop equipment layouts that range from high level master planning to detailed construction documents. In addition to this role, Scott is a member of Hixson’s Meat Industry advisory team, focusing on technologies related to the meat and plant protein industry.

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Derek Wojcikowski

Director of Architecture

Derek is the Director of Hixson’s Architecture department. In this role, Derek leads the teams who design projects for our Food & Beverage, Pharma & Biotech, Laboratory, and Workplace clients. Previously, Derek served as the Manager of Hixson’s Process Layout department, where he directed the team that plays a critical coordination role in the overall development of process models and the 3D equipment model management process. Prior to these management roles, Derek, who began his career with Hixson in 2008, served as a Project Architect.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IQF freezer?

An IQF freezer is an Individual Quick Freezing system that rapidly freezes separate pieces of food, such as vegetables, seafood, poultry, fruit, or bakery items, without allowing them to clump together. IQF tunnel freezers typically use controlled airflow, low temperatures, and conveyor movement to freeze products quickly while preserving shape, texture, color, and portionability.

What is the difference between frozen and IQF?

What factors determine IQF tunnel freezer design?

Can Hixson design the full frozen food facility around the IQF system?

Does IQF tunnel freezer design include refrigeration engineering?

How does sanitary design affect an IQF freezer project?

Can IQF freezer systems be added to an existing facility?

What deliverables are included in an IQF design engagement?

Still Have Freezer Design Questions?

Talk with Hixson’s engineering team about your IQF project.

Certified & Recognized

Awards and Recognition

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Great Place to Work

Certified culture supporting strong project teams.

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Rising Giants

Ranked No. 178 by Interior Design.

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Top Sector Firm

Recognized in key industry sectors.

Plan Your IQF Freezer Project

Tell Hixson about your product, capacity goals, facility constraints, and timeline. Our integrated team can help define the right path forward for your IQF tunnel freezer system.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.