John Ackermann , a seasoned entrepreneur and owner of Jack Agencies , is well-acquainted with the highs and lows of running a business , as well as the travails common in the publishing industry with The Cold Link and Cold Chain newspapers .
BUSINESS AND TRAINING
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
John Ackermann : founding editor of The Cold Link and original editor of the Cold Chain By Eamonn Ryan
John Ackermann , a seasoned entrepreneur and owner of Jack Agencies , is well-acquainted with the highs and lows of running a business , as well as the travails common in the publishing industry with The Cold Link and Cold Chain newspapers .
Images by © Cold Link Africa
Ackermann ' s business , which has been operational for 38 years , focuses on importing and distributing Parker RS controls and valves for ammonia refrigeration and since 2006 , Herl across southern Africa to contractors , with a further component of the business being Apex strip curtains for the Cape . Despite the longevity of the business , he acknowledged that persistent challenges with supply chains continue to impact operations .
Ackermann has been at the helm of Jack Agencies since 1986 . " I started Jack Agencies back then , and it ’ s been quite the journey ," he remarks . After leaving a previous job with Airco , Ackermann ventured into refrigerated distribution consulting from his home and shortly thereafter got into journalism .
Recently , Ackermann has been transitioning away from another segment of his business . For 15 years , he operated a division that provided storage , distribution services and spares for Thermo King Containers . However , this arm of the business was closed on July 1 last year , the premises cleared out and recently sold ,
A proud John Ackermann revisiting back issues of The Cold Link .
marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter .
That new chapter includes retirement , but that step is not imminent as Ackermann considers the future of his primary business . " A prospective sale of the business to a supplier is under current discussion , and any deal will include me staying involved for at least two years to ensure a smooth transition for any new owners .”
Ackermann was involved in many other aspects of the industry apart from the day-to-day running of his business . These included an active involvement in various industry associations , and indeed their very formation , as well as being a pioneer in the publishing side of HVAC & R , the legacy of which remains in this publication , Cold Link Africa , and conferencing .
THE BEGINNINGS OF COLD LINK
His entry into publishing was driven by a vision to create a dedicated newspaper for the refrigeration sector , not just a journal . " I collaborated with a friend who had a publication called Illustrated Industrial Digest . I realised the industry needed a
The first Cooling Expo was held in 1992 .
newspaper focused on refrigeration , and we started Cold Chain together , because at that time I knew nothing of the publishing side ."
Working on Cold Chain involved extensive travel to Johannesburg , securing advertisers and writing articles – a timeconsuming activity which Ackermann initially did for no compensation or even refunding of travel expenses . After two years , Ackermann sought compensation for his efforts . " I asked my partner about getting paid , and on being rebuffed suggested he pay me what he thought I was owed and I go my way ," Ackermann explains . This led to Ackermann founding The Cold Link , while his partner continued with Cold Chain .
“ I ’ ll crucify you ,” his former partner warned , as Ackermann started The Cold Link from scratch while continuing his commercial business .
CREATING INDUSTRY PLATFORMS
Ackermann ' s publishing endeavours eventually led to the creation of SARDA ( Southern African Refrigerated Distribution Association ) focused on food safety regulations in 1990 , born from the readership and industry contacts established through The Cold Link . Recognising a need for a more structured approach to refrigeration discussions and developments , Ackermann organised meetings that catalysed the formation of SARDA the first association in the cold chain .
Timeline of publications and ventures :
• Cold Chain : launched in September 1987
• The Cold Link : started after the separation from Cold Chain
• SARDA : established in 1990
• Jack Agencies : Founded in 1986 , focusing on importing parts , controls , and valves for ammonia refrigeration
Ackermann ' s contributions weren ' t limited to publications . He also played a pivotal role in organising industry events . " There used to be an industrial show , SA Industry and Technology Fair held in Johannesburg . The last was held at the World Trade Centre next to ( the then called ) Jan Smuts Airport , which had one of four sections focused on HERVAC ," he says . Believing in the potential of a dedicated refrigeration exhibition , Ackermann initiated the Cooling Expo ‘ 92 in Cape Town , providing a dedicated and focused platform for the refrigeration and air conditioning sectors .
He reminisces about the early days of organising refrigeration conferences . " In 1990 , the inaugural Cooling Expo ‘ 92 and the Frigair Conference took place at the Goodwood Showgrounds . Up until then , Frigair was a focused conference held at the CSIR in Pretoria organised by SAIRAC ," he explains . This conference was highly structured , with published papers and a formal setup , marking a significant event for the industry .
16 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • July / August 2024