With 89% of micro-market operators battling soaring shrinkage rates, the demand for secured micro-markets has never been greater. HABCO is meeting that demand head-on, adopting SHEKEL WeightAI™ as the intelligence standard within its intelligent refrigeration platforms.
ZIPORIT INDUSTRIAL ZONE, ISRAEL / ACCESS Newswire / April 20, 2026 / HABCO Manufacturing Inc., North America's trusted innovator in commercial refrigeration with over 65 years of industry expertise, has chosen SHEKEL Scales Ltd., a global leader in advanced weighing technologies for retail automation, as its strategic technology partner. With micro-market shrinkage losses reaching $5.4 billion annually (NAMA Industry Census), HABCO has integrated SHEKEL WeightAI™ directly into its intelligent refrigeration cabinets, securing transactions and protecting operator revenue.
Together, the two companies have integrated SHEKEL's proprietary WeightAI™ platform into HABCO's next generation intelligent refrigeration cabinets and ambient platforms, creating a new standard for intelligent, automated retail.
The collaborative solution transforms standard commercial refrigeration platforms into fully connected, AI-powered retail endpoints, capable of detecting item placement, guiding consumers and staff in real time, and delivering precise inventory and sales data to retail operators without manual intervention.
Intelligent Refrigeration, Inside and Out
Retail operators are fighting a two-front war: shrinkage costs the industry over $5.4 billion annually across the USA every year, and a growing consumer demand for healthy and fresh food that cannot be provided by traditional vending machines.
SHEKEL WeightAI™ addresses both challenges by accurately recognizing every product, packaged or fresh, removed or returned, from any cooler or cabinet shelf, in real time. This intelligence layer transforms every micro-market into a smart unattended POS: knowing what is sold, what is inside, what has been misplaced, and what is running low, remotely, without a single staff member on site.
HABCO supports this evolution with intelligent refrigeration platforms built for secure, unattended retail. With modular Cassette® architecture and seamless technology integration, each unit delivers reliable performance, reduced downtime, and consistent operation at scale, helping operators protect revenue and manage their business with greater precision.
Key features of the collaborative solution include:
Intelligent LED Feature Lighting: When a consumer places a product in the wrong position, the system automatically triggers the interior cabinet to fully illuminate in red, providing immediate visual feedback. Simultaneously, a message is displayed on the control panel stating: "Please return the product to its original location." This real-time guidance eliminates the need for staff intervention, reduces restocking errors, and improves the consumer experience at the point of decision.
Active Door Panel Display: SHEKEL's WeightAI™ communicates directly with HABCO's LCD control panel, keeping all consumer-facing feedback precisely where the interaction happens. Real-time product recognition and feedback are displayed at the moment of reach-in, creating a seamless, frictionless experience.
Ambient Compatibility: The solution extends beyond traditional refrigeration to HABCO's latest ambient platforms, enabling SHEKEL WeightAI™ intelligence across a broader range of retail environments, from convenience stores and micro markets to foodservice and beverage outlets.
Cassette® Refrigeration System Integration: HABCO's proprietary Cassette® system, featuring Priority Airflow and a Free & Clear™ Condenser Coil, provides the ideal hardware foundation for SHEKEL's AI layer. The Cassette® can be swapped in the field in under two minutes without specialized tools or technicians, ensuring the unit remains fully functional and continuously operating with minimal downtime, while supporting seamless system updates and long-term serviceability.
"HABCO's refrigeration engineering is the ideal hardware home for WeightAI™. Their Cassette® system's modularity and build quality mirror exactly the kind of platform where our technology creates lasting value, not just as an add-on, but as the intelligence layer that makes the cooler a true retail asset. This partnership came together thanks to Scallix, our trusted channel partner, whose deep industry relationships made the collaboration possible. Together, we are defining what smart refrigeration should look like." Nir Leshem CEO, SHEKEL Scales Ltd.
"For over 65 years, HABCO has built Cassette® based refrigeration platforms the industry depends on. Partnering with SHEKEL AI extends that foundation into intelligent retail. Integrating SHEKEL's weight-based system enables precise, real-time product detection at the point of sale. Delivering these capabilities across both refrigerated and ambient applications represents a meaningful advancement for the industry."
- Chris Strong, CEO, HABCO Manufacturing Inc.
About SHEKEL SCALES LTD.
Shekel Scales Ltd. is a pioneer and leading supplier of weighing technology, offering advanced solutions that empower businesses with precision, scalability, and AI-driven innovation. With a global presence and a commitment to excellence, Shekel is redefining the future of unassisted shopping and retail's operational excellence.
About HABCO Manufacturing Inc.
HABCO Manufacturing is a North American OEM with over 65 years of experience building commercial refrigeration platforms, serving a broad range of retail and commercial markets. Manufactured in Toronto, Canada, HABCO's solutions are engineered for performance, reliability, and long-term serviceability. Its proprietary Cassette® Refrigeration System sets the standard for modularity, enabling rapid field replacement, reduced downtime, and lower lifecycle costs across modern retail environments.
Media contact:
Michal Samuels
CMO
Michal.strategy@gmail.com
Mobile: +972509013502
SOURCE: SHEKEL Scales Ltd.
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