LOCAL MANUFACTURING
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Frigrite Africa – the complete
solution, made locally
By John Ackermann and Ilana Koegelenberg
Frigrite Africa has been locally assembling refrigeration cabinets since 2016, opting to create
jobs rather than becoming just another importer. With a mindset of offering a complete
solution for their clients, they are taking things a step further and changing the retail game.
A
mid fierce competition in the
retail industry and a high density
of stores, each supermarket
owner is driven to capture the lion’s
share of shoppers and lure them back
through their doors time and time again.
Even in rural towns, there are few that
do not have more than one shop or
convenience store on the forecourt of
the local filling station.
The modern shopper wants food that
contributes to good health, is affordable,
and offers a wider variation of diet.
As to what appeals to the shopper
depends much on product
appearance, presentation, and
That is why the choice of cabinets can
make such a huge difference to retail
offerings something that the Frigrite
Africa team understands very well.
A COMPLETE SOLUTION
projected nutritional value.
Dave Kotsiros at his Frigrite Africa office.
Frigrite Africa offers a mix and match GOING LOCAL
of upright deli cabinets, combis, island When first starting up, they only had Kotsiros went on: “We do not aim to
When Frigrite Africa first started up, it three staff members. Now Kotsiros has a be the biggest, but rather the best in
freezers, and wrap-arounds that will bring initially imported the fully assembled mix of permanent staff and outsourced the supply of refrigeration solutions to
ambiance to a supermarket and attract cabinets. But Kotsiros, who has been in labourers. He makes use of labour brokers supermarkets and retailers.” They make
shoppers to appetising products. the game for over 20 years having started to ensure he always has the right number it a priority to understand the specific
off in the catering equipment industry, of staff for the work required. needs of each client and then match
The offering of Frigrite is not just
Staff are continuously trained in-house
products from their vast range to create
about cabinets, but a complete wanted to create jobs locally, rather refrigeration solution, supported with than importing. “I wanted to come into to ensure the quality of the products a motivated service team. With years the market and build up a proudly South remain up to standard. “Finding quality of field experience, Frigrite is the only African business,” he explained. and skilled staff is very challenging,” A WIDE RANGE
explains Kotsiros. “But we look after our Their equipment is designed for ease of
operation, with minimum maintenance
brand name of cabinets on the African
Also, at that time, with the rand-dollar
their style of business.
market to offer a three-year warranty. exchange rate, it made more financial staff well and they are treated as part of The robust, energy-efficient design of sense to assemble locally rather than the family. If you want your business to and low energy usage. LED lighting, EC
Frigrite cabinets originates from Australia. importing complete products. grow, you need to grow your staff.” fans, high-performance evaporators
Founded in 1969, Frigrite was developed
Another way they stay competitive is
Trading in Africa is not new to
for the harsh climatic conditions across Kotsiros, who is based in Meadowdale, by keeping overheads as low as possible
Australia, similar to that in most parts Johannesburg. For 15 years, Kotsiros and running a lean operation.
of Africa. looked after Africa as a region and spent
turnkey project involving the contractor/
installer and the owner. We partner with a
contractor who is familiar with the site and
the client. By doing this, we make sure that
their refrigerated cabinets. There are
the past four years as the export manager
for BCE Food Servicing Equipment.
"It’s a challenging market to work in,
but it’s rewarding,” explained Kotsiros.
Kotsiros started from nothing, cold
all the equipment is correctly installed and calling and building up the business
that the client is supported with a reliable one case study at a time. He attributes
after-sales service. Any warranty claims the company’s success firstly to a great
during the three years will also be handled product, but also to their great after-sales
swiftly by the contractor,” was said by Dave service and truly going the extra mile for
Kotsiros, who launched Frigrite Africa clients. They offer a quick turnaround time,
in 2016. which is aided by keeping the right stock.
40
defrosting are standard features on all
“Each Frigrite installation is done as a
with rifle bore tubing and automatic
Stainless steel bumper rails are standard on upright cabinets and different lighting is available
to enhance the appearance of product, for example meat.
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
COLD LINK AFRICA • July/August 2018