INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
GIZ drives development
in local refrigeration industry
By Ilana Koegelenberg
In October , GIZ took its “ Increasing efficiency in refrigerated distribution ” workshop across the country , and in November , it kicked off its field trial of the prototype R290 charged refrigeration unit fitted to a small truck .
GIZ , the foreign German development co-operation , flew in two experienced trainers all the way from Germany to present its “ Increasing efficiency in refrigerated distribution ” workshops to industry role players in three major cities .
The workshops kicked off in Johannesburg on 4 October 2016 , with Durban taking place on 5 October and Cape Town on the 7th . The trainers — Konstantin Schüssler , managing partner of Schüssler Spedition ( a German-based temperature control transport company ), and Prof . Dr Michael Huth , logistics and supply chain management , University of Applied Sciences Fulda , House of Logistics and Mobility — shared their knowledge of what has worked for them back home . They also assisted all involved in coming up with ideas to improve efficiencies in their line of work .
The workshops boasted a full agenda , actively involving the participants from all areas of the distribution chain in lively debates and brainstorming sessions .
The Johannesburg workshop took place at the OR Tambo International Southern Sun hotel in Kempton Park . The proceedings started with Michael Schuster of GIZ giving guests some basic project information on GIZ ’ s involvement in the industry , followed by an update on the thermal test chamber project and the R290 trials .
Next up was Constant Pretorius of the South African Bureau of Standards ( SABS ), who gave a brief insight into the SABS before moving on to a more detailed account of how South Africa ’ s first thermal test chamber for refrigerated vehicles would work .
Getting started Once Pretorius had concluded his presentation , it was time for the workshop to get under way officially . The two trainers who had flown in from Germany took turns to introduce themselves and to give participants more insight into their history with the cold chain .
They then went around the room and asked everyone to introduce themselves , sharing what they do within their company , where they fit into the supply chain , and perceived strengths and weaknesses within .
There was quite a broad range of representatives in the Johannesburg crowd of 20 people , including a Transnet engineering technician ; the national transport manager of Shoprite Checkers ; various university lecturers ; and suppliers ,
Continued on page 15
The Johannesburg workshop under way .
The breakaway groups in Johannesburg discuss challenges in the cold chain logistics sector .
At the Cape Town workshop , from left : Konstantin Schüssler , Prof . Dr Michael Huth , John Ackermann , Michael Schuster , and Constant Pretorius .
The Durban workshop in session .
COLD LINK AFRICA • January | February 2017 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za 13