Portacool is Texas Tough

From small town Texas to the global stage 

In 1990, we founded Portacool as a small business with a big mission: protect people from heat. For the past 30+ years, we’ve upheld our commitment to supporting the health, safety, and success of our customers and the communities they serve.  

“We’re a customer service company that happens to make portable evaporative coolers. It’s an integral part of our pedigree.”— Ben Wulf, CEO of Portacool 

To uphold our mission, we took inspiration from our hot, harsh landscape in Center, Texas. If we could create an evaporative cooler that beat the heat here—lowering 130°F temps in our plastics factory—it could improve lives and safeguard the workforce around the world.   

Through research and innovation, we developed a product line of portable evaporative coolers that helped veterans, fire fighters, football teams, auto mechanics, wounded animals, and more. We started local, and word got out to organizations across the country, and then across the world. 

Today, Portacool is a global leader in portable evaporative cooling, distributing in over 8,000 US stores and 56 countries.  

Forged by fire, always evolving 

After decades of empowering our communities in Center, Texas, and beyond, we faced a challenge of our own. In 2023, a fire destroyed our plastics production facility and set ablaze 30 years of progress.  

Fortunately, no one was injured. Yet the damage added up to 300,000 square feet and 400 jobs, lost. 

“While we watched thirty years of history go up in flames, we also witnessed the beginning of the new Portacool. We moved with tremendous speed and precision, making decisions without hesitation or fear of failure.” — Ben Wulf, CEO of Portacool 

Instead of giving up and ending our story, we came together as a community to build back stronger. Like a phoenix, we had the opportunity to evolve. 

Two years later, we broke down on a new production facility, which will open doors in 2026. This new rotational molding facility will bring every step of our production under one roof and add 35 new full-time positions.  

Portacool innovation and the start of a new era 

At Portacool, innovation isn’t a buzzword. It’s a blueprint for how we build everything from our production facilities and award-winning evaporative coolers to our culture and community. We keep our employees cool with more than 70 Portacools throughout our facilities, putting our products to the test every day. We also listen to our customers and design based on their feedback, ensuring each Portacool exceeds expectations.  

The latest developments in evaporative cooling 

In addition to building back stronger, we’ve been hard at work developing new products in evaporative cooling.  

• Portacool APEX™ Series sets the standard for portable evaporative coolers. With 6 versatile sizes, APEX delivers cool comfort wherever you need it most. Each cooler is equipped with the latest features, from smartphone connectivity to efficient evaporative cooling media and more. 

• CoolSync™ Technology allows you to control one or more Portacools from the palm of your hand. Whether you’re in your warehouse or home, or 500 miles away, you can customize your cool. Schedule your Portacool’s operation, keep up with maintenance, and adjust any setting to optimize comfort. 

• HydroTek™ Evaporative Media is the new standard media across all our products, ensuring every Portacool delivers premium cooling results. It’s self-cleaning, designed for longevity, and ensures premiere air quality.  

 Setting pace for the next 30 years 

We started our company as a customer service company. From every product, facility upgrade, and community investment, we use innovation to serve people. That’s how we’re leading the future of cooling solutions. Our legacy is rooted in community, from our innovators and designers to the customers we serve around the world. Together, we work smarter, safer, and perform at our best.   

What’s next for Portacool?  

• Becoming the largest rotational molder in Texas 

• Adding 35 new full-time jobs, while retaining 15 more 

• Opening our new production facility in 2026 

• Completing a 40,000 ft² assembly and operational building focused on efficiency and sustainability 

• Expanding into the automotive and residential markets 

American made, Texas tough through and through 

We’re an American-made company bringing smart evaporative cooling solutions to our customers around the globe. American Made, Texas Tough isn’t just our origin story. It’s our promise to everyone living and working in the toughest conditions.