ASSOCIATIONS

15

Talent development and performance management

17

With load shedding here to stay , energy efficiency is vital

18

The cold chain : Logistical challenge at the heart of Covid-19

vaccine distribution

19

SATI releases first crop estimate for 20 / 21

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

24

Industry fully behind Frigair 2022

25

OTTC guides seven more ammonia graduates to qualification

CONTRIBUTORS

32

A decade of thorough training – Techniskills

35

Nature never breaks her own laws …

36

Kigali Amendment : Summary and timeline

38

Building back better on food and agriculture

fresh start in January … This is probably the most common set of words I have heard from so many people in the industry , and with good cause due to what 2020 left behind . This is probably the exact thing on your mind too for the start of a new year , as you aim to hit the ground firing on all cylinders , perhaps just with a slightly different vision .

Maybe you won ’ t be having your traditional shutdown , but the general sentiment is that the start of 2021 brings around a new mindset and positivity , which is what every business and individual needs to carry forward .

Many financial results being released over the period are not indicating outcomes of a catastrophic nature – yes there are always those companies who take a beating , but there seem to be far more who have shown year-on-year results within 5 % of each other . Some have even shown their best periods on record . This is painting and entirely different picture of the industry ’ s resilience , and a spotlight on what we can expect for 2021 .

But , for the future , I for one have not come across , or engaged with , any company that has not had to make changes in their focus or strategy . Some small steps and some dramatic steps , but necessary changes to adapt to the changing environment . If I was asked how I think business is going to change going forward , I would say that we can expect to see that the way we do business is going to require much more regular adaptation to meet market needs . Heightened awareness of savings , sustainability and efficiency will increase and the possibility of managing risk through implementation of more

digital and outsourced solutions may come into play .

The major element in anticipation for the start of 2021 , and what is highly relevant to the cold chain , is the imminent release of the vaccine for the virus that stopped the world in its tracks with almost one and half million deaths . The parameters in maintaining the cold chain [ at the time of publishing ] have not yet been clarified and reports of the two main vaccine types indicate either requiring a temperate of approximately -25 to -30 ° C – which is not a difficult task to meet – to temperatures as low as -80 ° C , which has the keepers of the cold chain stumped as the entire chain is not able , or set up , to sustain this requirement at this point in time . A further step back for the African continent is that a recent survey by the World Health Organisation has shown that African countries have an average of only 33 % readiness to handle a vaccine of this type , not only due to the temperatures required , but the volume and methods of issue .

Trusting that 2021 will in fact come with the benefits of a sharp economic recovery , the cold chain in South Africa is set to grow as more and more stakeholders come to the realisation that the management of perishable produce has become non-negotiable . The aim to reduce food wastage continues to become stronger around the globe , to which we participate significantly . Also the drastic changes to climate change action that have been seen from Europe recently will no doubt roll down to this country too as we play our role in reduction of global warming potential aspects . For all of this , Cold Link Africa is there to serve you , our reader .

In this issue we cover regular news on the local and international front , as well as association news and events that are starting to get into gear as restrictions to this type of activity lighten . For those who still have not heard the news Frigair – the continents only dedicated HEVACR event – has been moved to 2022 . Our project is the new production facility of Dr Oetker , known for their restaurant-quality frozen pizzas , and who have a global footprint in over 90 countries , the cooling services model was completed by installing a 3-stage CO ₂ system . Our feature looks at racking for cold store and warehouses that are taking these facilities higher and higher to increase capacity while reducing footprint . We have contributors covering topics from training to production facilities adopting 4IR technology .

I trust you find this issue informative and I am happy to receive your feedback – we can ’ t produce a better product without your compliments , complaints or opinions – let us know what you think – this is your publication after all and you should be reading about what you want to know ! Get in touch or connect with us on our social media .

I ’ m starting the year off by sharing the following quote . A lot of us are at a place of uncertainty as it seems a lot is hanging in the air and forecasts further seem impossible to predict , but one thing , other than death and taxes is certain – the world is continuing day by day – so just keep pushing forward too !

I ’ ll leave you with this quote from Amelia Earhart : “ The most effective way to do it , is to just do it .”

Let ’ s do it , and make this year a success on as many levels as possible ! CLA

Ben

Please contact me via any of the following channels : Email : benjamin @ interactmedia . co . za Office : + 27 11 579 4940 Cell : + 27 82 940 0701 ( Call / Text / WhatsApp )

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