Our Story

The ice vending industry effectively started in 2003 in Georgia.

Until the introduction of ice vending machines, packaged ice was purchased in front of a retail store or inside a grocery store. Customers had to wait in line to purchase it, and then deal with ice that was over-frozen and clumped into big blocks from thawing and re-freezing due to the ice boxes being opened and closed by customers who were purchasing ice – in addition to ice delivery and stocking into the freezer. It was a necessity for customers to slam the bag of ice on the ground or hit it with something in order to be able to render it useful to use in a cooler – let alone in a beverage!

In addition, customers had no idea how long the ice had been sitting in the freezers, and so having a problem with stale tasting, freezer burned ice was not uncommon. And customers accepted this because there was no other option available for buying packaged ice in bulk.

With the introduction of the ice vending machine, entrepreneurs saw that the packaged ice business had the ability to change and that ice vending would revolutionize the way people bought their ice and improve the taste, quality and convenience of the product. In addition, ice vending was an “earth-friendly” way to provide it!

Kooler Ice introduced the new IM500
6 February 2019

Kooler Ice introduced the new IM500. This model was designed to have a trimmer depth to fit on the sidewalk of storefronts, allowing for more sidewalk space and more efficient traffic flow with the unit. Its size was designed to fit in the space of the businesses ice freezers to…Read More

Ice Vending Business
6 March 2014

Due to the continued growth and sales in the ice vending business, Kooler Ice began another plant expansion which will increase the facility from 30,000 sq.ft. to 45,000 sq.ft., providing additional production capacity, a larger parts warehouse, and the addition of a R&D area where Seymour and his team can…Read More

IM2500 Ice Vending Machine
6 January 2013

Kooler Ice introduced the IM2500 ice vending machine. It is our largest and most productive unit to date. In designing this product, Seymour still kept the smallest footprint possible in mind, but designed the unit so that it could accommodate additional ice makers, which could also be installed in the…Read More

Kooler Ice relocated to Byron
6 March 2010

Because of the success of its product line, Kooler Ice relocated to Byron, Georgia to occupy a 30,000 sq.ft. facility to accommodate its increased production needs. Kooler Ice’s Vice President of Operations, Bob Fosson, designed the new facility to be a state of the art, lean manufacturing facility and oversaw…Read More

IM1000 Ice Vending Machine
6 July 2009

Kooler Ice introduced the IM1000 ice vending machine. The design of this machine was completely different from the original KI810 because it was designed with retailers and businesses in mind. It had all of the cost efficient features of the KI810, but it was designed to look like a soft…Read More

Kooler Ice
6 March 2009

Kooler Ice has always prided itself on listening to the wants and needs of its owners. After getting customer feedback from various markets, Kooler Ice designed a filtered water vending feature which could be built into the same ice vending unit to allow owners to add water sales through the…Read More

KI810 machine
6 August 2008

Although the KI810 machine was “smart” using messages and alerts on an LED screen that advised owners and customers about the machine, Kooler Ice found that its owners wanted more detail and information and didn’t want to have to physically go to the machine to get it, which led to…Read More

Seymour and Dyson
6 July 2008

Seymour and Dyson were still working on a design to make the machine even more energy efficient so that its profitability could be even stronger, and they designed and introduced the first KI810 model without a refrigeration unit in Fall 2008. This idea came from the recognition that it was…Read More

Kooler Ice Introduction
6 July 2007

In July 2007, Kooler Ice introduced their first ice vending machine – the KI810. The design of the machine was revolutionary. It was smaller, easier to operate and maintain, and more energy efficient than the large units that were available, with an aesthetically pleasing, clean design. In addition, the price…Read More

Kooler Ice started in Montezuma
6 June 2006

Kooler Ice started in Montezuma, Georgia. Partners, Kerry Seymour and Jeff Dyson, became involved in designing a new method of vending ice that offered the best quality, safest and most convenient way to purchase ice. After seeing some of the new, very large units that had been successfully introduced to…Read More

Throughout this growth process, Kooler Ice has had one goal – to provide owners with the most reliable, durable and innovative machine in the industry, and to support its owners to the highest standards possible!”

It is this philosophy that has made the Kooler Ice brand of ice vending machines the best value for its owners. And we couldn’t have grown and advanced to where we are now without them (and you!)