U-Line Corporation
A Vision Becomes Reality

U-Line, the award-winning market leader in premium built-in undercounter ice making, refrigeration and wine preservation products, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a new line of modular undercounter refrigeration units that offer advanced technology, aesthetic elegance and seamless integration for use in today's modern kitchens and lifestyles. U-Line has earned a solid reputation as the undercounter market leader by continuing to develop, manufacture and support the best undercounter refrigeration products on the market.

Key Milestones

Leading the market in premium, built-in undercounter ice making, refrigeration and wine storage products, the U-Line Corporation boasts many notable achievements.

1962

Henry Uihlein, Sr. founds U-Line Corporation as an outgrowth of Ben-Hur. The company develops and patents the first undercounter residential and light commercial ice maker.

1971

U-Line introduces the first undercounter Combo® Model Ice Maker and Refrigerator. The unit maintains two temperature zones in the same cabinet using a single compressor. U-Line also introduces the first portable ice makers, designed with a built-in water tank that allowed owners to move the unit anywhere in the home.

1983

U-Line develops the first and only 12-volt DC ice maker for marine and RV applications.

1985

U-Line is the first U.S. appliance manufacturer to produce an undercounter wine refrigerator for residential wine storage. The Wine Captain® features three temperature zones within the same cabinet to offer proper storage conditions for different varieties of wine.

1987

U-Line develops and patents the industry's first solid-state ice maker. Display lights and sound tones alert users when defrosting and other maintenance functions are required.

1989

U-Line continues its theme of improvement and modernization by redesigning its entire product line with an international look. The new designs are conscious of aesthetic value, yet still feature the latest technology, making the products more contemporary and desirable for residential use.

1991

U-Line develops frost-free freezer technology in undercounter refrigeration.

1993

U-Line is the first North American appliance manufacturer to eliminate chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from its foam insulation - more than two years ahead of the scheduled federal government mandate. The company's 15-inch model family is introduced.

1998

U-Line designs and develops the CLR60 clear ice machine, the most innovative and technologically advanced residential and light commercial ice machine on the market, producing more than 60 pounds of clear ice cubes per day.

2001

U-Line redefines the built-in undercounter refrigeration market with its introduction of the Échelon Series, a diverse collection of luxury ice makers, Combo® Model ice maker/refrigerators, Wine Captain® Model wine storage units, refrigerators and refrigerator/freezers.

2002

U-Line introduces the Wine Captain® Full Overlay Frame edition, allowing the Échelon Wine Captain® Model to be fully integrated with custom cabinetry.

2003

U-Line premiers its Échelon Refrigerator Drawer, taking life, home and style to a new level of organization. The company also brings the market the luxury of clear ice and refrigeration behind one door with the addition of the Échelon Clear Combo® Model.

2004

U-Line adds its Combo® Drawer ice maker/refrigerator/freezer and exclusive Wine Captain® Drawer wine storage unit to the Échelon line and introduces the Origins Beverage Center.

2006

U-Line introduces new design and performance innovations that feature refined styling and advanced digital technology to offer the most distinctive undercounter products available in both the Échelon and Origins Series.

2007

Full wrap stainless models are deemed suitable for outdoor use by Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

2008

U-Line introduces a new dual zone Wine Captain®. The new 2275ZWC provides two distinct temperature zones, each cooled and controlled independently, allowing total flexibility for personal preference and changing wine storage needs.

2009

U-Line Achieves highest energy efficient rating. In addition to being ENERGY STAR, the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) awards U-Line a Tier 3 rating – the highest energy efficiency rating available for two of its refrigerator models, the 2175R and the 1175R. Both meet the stringent criteria set forth by the CEE for this high rating of 30 percent or more efficient than the federal standard.

2010

U-Line redesigns Origins and Echelon models into 1000 and 2000 Series with added styling and technological advancements and introduces an outdoor specific appliance line.

2011

U-Line Launches New Modular 3000 Series. New 18-inch and 36-inch models are designed to install and integrate seamlessly into standard 24-inch depth cabinet frames.

2012

U-Line Celebrates 50 years of innovation, quality and leadership in the undercounter ice making, refrigeration and wine preservation market.

Recent Awards

2010

U-Line Wins the Interior Design "Best of Year" Award for the 2175RCG – 24" Glass Door Refrigerator

U-Line wins a host of ADEX Awards:

Platinum Adex Award for the Marine Ice Maker: SS1095 and the 2175BEVC – 24" Beverage Center

Gold ADEX Award for 2275DWRC Refrigerated Drawers and the Outdoor Series (2115RSOD – 15" Refrigerator, 2175RSOD – 24" Refrigerator, BI2115SOD – 15" Crescent Ice Maker, CLR2160SOD – 15" Clear Ice Machine)

Silver ADEX Award for the 2175WCC – 24" Convection Wine Captain® and the 2175RCG – 24" Glass Door Refrigerator

2011

U-Line wins the Interior Design "Best of Year" Award for the second year in a row for the Modular 3000 Series 3036RR – 36" Solid Door Refrigerator

U-Line wins the 2011 K+BB Product Innovator Merit Award for the Modular 3000 Series 3036RR – 36" Solid Door Refrigerator

U-Line wins the 2011 KB Culture Award for the 2175RSOD – 24" Outdoor Refrigerator