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.
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