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INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN |
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steel elements by a dedicated , specialist contractor , JTC , was another strategy that ensured timely delivery of materials and rapid assembly streamlining the construction process ,” says Eagar .
As the LCCS continues to operate efficiently , plans are already in place for an expansion in Phase Two of the project , scheduled to begin in January 2025 . This phase will increase the facility ’ s capacity to meet the growing demand for cold storage in the region .
Gray notes that logistics posed a challenge in the success of the project , with the transport of goods from South Africa to Zambia taking up to seven days , primarily due to the time spent at border crossings . However , this delay could have been much worse , explains Eagar : “ This obstacle was efficiently managed , thanks to Stefanutti Stocks having a local branch and who were therefore able to expedite the movement and clearance of equipment through the borders . Their knowledge of the routes and the use of managed logistics channels allowed for timely deliveries despite the potential delays .”
One unique feature of the building design was the pre-manufactured cooling units , which were produced and tested at the factory before being shipped to the site . These units were ready to be installed upon arrival , eliminating the need for additional support structures or time-consuming on-site assembly . This ‘ plug-and-play ’ approach helped to minimise installation time and ensure that maintenance would be streamlined , with all components accessible
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at ground level for service without requiring extensive structural support .
The refrigeration plant was designed by JAE Cooling Solutions . Regarding the refrigeration system , the project team worked closely with reputable suppliers to ensure the highest quality equipment was used . The refrigeration system was provided by GEA Africa , a leading supplier of industrial refrigeration systems . Eagar describes the refrigeration equipment as ground-based and therefore easy to maintain with no high-level access required .
COMBINATION OF MOBILE AND STATIC RACKING
Gray explains that the LCCS utilised a combination of mobile and static racking systems to maximise storage efficiency and flexibility . The facility ’ s design featured 5 000 pallet positions on mobile racking in the frozen area , alongside 400 pallets of static racking in the other two cold stores . The design was for only half the area to be fitted with mobile racking initially – but with rails laid in the remaining half to later also accommodate mobile racking . The decision to use a combination of mobile and static racking was part of the initial tender process and was influenced by a variety of factors , including budget and storage needs .
Kredit , a company that Acrow has developed a strong relationship with over the past decade , supplied the rails and mobile bases needed to support the system . These components were manufactured in Europe and shipped to South Africa ( Zambia being landlocked ), where they were consolidated
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Supplied by JAE Cooling Solutions
Figure 2 - ACROW mobile rack controller and human interface .
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with the mobile racking manufactured in South Africa by Acrow , before being transported to Zambia . The use of mobile racking allows for more efficient use of space , as the racking can be moved to create aisles for forklifts to access products .
The main responsibility for the installation fell to Acrow ’ s professional installation team , which handled the detailed setup
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Supplied by JAE Cooling Solutions
Completed ground based cooler pod and water storage tanks for back up water to serve condensers .
of the racking system . To involve the local community and ensure the installation process ran smoothly the project team utilised local labour to assist with unloading vehicles and handling stock .
One of the key benefits of the LCCS is the high efficiency of its refrigeration and racking systems . The system has run reliably , with no significant incidents where the refrigeration
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