In commercial and industrial environments, winter is a stress test. Cold temperatures, moisture, salt, and shifting indoor/outdoor transitions can push even the most well-designed systems to the edge of failure.
For OEMs and manufacturers, preparing equipment for winter is more than a seasonal checklist. It’s a proactive investment in reliability, performance, and customer trust. When a product fails in extreme conditions, downtime, costly repairs, and safety risks follow. That’s why durable, winter-ready components are critical.
In this article, we’ll examine the environmental challenges that winter creates, how equipment performance is affected, and how manufacturers can safeguard reliability with smarter materials, enhanced protection, and high-quality custom assemblies from CHG.
Why Winter Wreaks Havoc on Commercial Equipment
Winter presents a unique combination of threats to mechanical, electrical, and structural systems, especially in environments where performance and uptime are critical.
- Cold Temperatures
Metals contract, plastics become brittle, seals harden, and lubricants thicken. This can lead to cracking, material fatigue, or loss of flexibility in hoses, wires, and moving parts. - Condensation & Moisture Ingress
Equipment moved from cold storage to warmer environments (or vice versa) is prone to condensation forming inside electrical enclosures and moving parts. Over time, this can cause corrosion, shorts, and contamination. - Snow, Ice, and Salt Exposure
Outdoor or semi-exposed systems, such as HVAC units, refrigeration units, or foodservice carts, may be directly impacted by corrosive de-icing agents or freezing water that infiltrates cracks or connectors. - Power Fluctuations & System Restarts
During storms or power surges, equipment reliability becomes essential. Systems must power on cleanly and safely without damage or misalignment.
The result? Weak points are exposed, seals fail, and wear accelerates. For equipment not designed with winter performance in mind, the risk of operational downtime multiplies.
Top Failure Points in Cold-Weather Conditions
CHG works with OEMs across sectors, and we consistently see the same winter vulnerabilities repeat across equipment types:
- Wiring Harnesses & Connectors
Poorly insulated or non-sealed harnesses are at risk of cracking or shorting when exposed to freezing moisture. Plastic connectors can become brittle and snap under stress. - Casters & Drawer Assemblies
Cold temperatures stiffen lubricants, exposing low-quality bearings to failure. Salt and water intrusion can lead to corrosion and binding. - Hinges, Latches & Moving Hardware
If not corrosion-resistant or properly coated, these parts seize or rust rapidly when exposed to melting snow or fluctuating humidity. - Gaskets, Seals, and Flexible Hoses
Standard rubber gaskets may shrink, crack, or lose elasticity. Hoses can become rigid and burst or leak.
How to Design and Specify for Winter Reliability
Ensuring reliability in harsh conditions starts with good engineering—but it also depends on specifying components that are designed for cold, moisture, and corrosion exposure. Here’s what to look for:
Use Winter-Resistant Materials
- Metals: Choose stainless steel, anodized aluminum, or zinc-coated alloys for corrosion resistance.
- Polymers & Plastics: Opt for high-flex, cold-rated plastics for connectors, insulators, and covers.
- Sealing Materials: Use EPDM, silicone, or other elastomers rated for sub-zero temperatures.
Prioritize Sealing & Moisture Control
- Use IP-rated enclosures for electrical systems to keep moisture and ice out.
- Add grommets, potted seals, and cable boots for added protection on wire harness entry points.
- Choose molded connectors and strain reliefs that remain flexible in the cold.
Add Protective Finishes and Coatings
- Powder-coated or plated metal surfaces resist rust and de-icing salt corrosion.
- Consider non-stick coatings on casters and drawer tracks to prevent freezing buildup.
Engineer for Easy Maintenance in Cold Settings
- Use quick-connect systems and tool-free access panels for equipment that may need service in the field.
- Label and color-code wire harnesses for fast diagnostics in low-light, cold-weather environments.
- Avoid small or fragile components that are difficult to manage with gloves or in freezing temps.
Where CHG Helps: Winter-Ready Components & Assemblies
At Component Hardware Group, we help OEMs plan, design, and build custom assemblies that endure even the toughest seasons. Here’s how we address the core winter challenges:
Wire Harnesses & Electrical Integration
- Fully sealed and optionally potted harnesses for moisture defense
- Diagnostic ports, color-coding, and polarity protection built in
- Tested to meet UL and international safety standards for extreme environments
High-Order Assemblies (HOA) for Harsh Conditions
- Integrated subassemblies (drawers, switches, sensors) pre-wired and sealed
- Ready for plug-and-play into your final system
- Eliminates the risk of incorrect cold-weather field installations
Heavy-Duty Casters & Hardware
- Regal Ride™ casters built for low-temp and high-load environments
- Corrosion-resistant hardware for foodservice, industrial, and outdoor use
- Load-tested, smooth-rolling, and winter-tolerant components
Sinks, Hoses, & Plumbing Assemblies
- EPDM or cold-rated hoses for medical and foodservice use
- Gaskets and fittings that remain sealed under thermal contraction
- NSF-rated components that comply with health and safety standards
Plan Ahead: Winter Reliability Starts in October
If you’re an OEM preparing for Q1 deployments, field installations, or winter maintenance cycles, October is the critical window. Lead times for custom components and subassemblies can range from 4 to 12 weeks, depending on complexity and volume. Working with CHG early allows for:
- Engineering collaboration
- Environmental testing and prototyping
- Final assembly optimization
- Inventory coordination for just-in-time delivery
Winter Use Cases: Where Reliability Matters Most
Here are some of the sectors where CHG components and winter-ready assemblies make a measurable difference:
- Healthcare & Labs: Medical carts, sinks, and diagnostics stations operating near refrigeration or outdoor mobile setups.
- Foodservice: Refrigerated or frozen prep areas, outdoor vending equipment, and kitchens exposed to constant cleaning.
- Logistics & Cold Chain: Carts, cabinets, and systems that operate between freezer, dock, and loading zones.
- Industrial Controls: Systems housed in semi-outdoor facilities, loading bays, or unconditioned work areas.
Final Thoughts: Build for Winter, Perform All Year
Designing equipment to perform through winter isn’t just about survival—it’s about earning customer loyalty by avoiding failure when it matters most. With CHG’s winter-ready assemblies, you get tested, proven components that work through ice, snow, and sub-zero conditions—so your equipment earns its reputation for reliability year-round.
Ready to winter-proof your equipment?
CHG is here to help—from sealed harnesses and corrosion-resistant hardware to integrated systems that install fast and last long.
