FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Image by Panel World
• U-value: This measures the rate of heat loss through a specific thickness of a building element. A lower U-value indicates better insulation and less heat gain
• R-value: This represents a material ' s ability to resist heat transfer at a given thickness. A higher R-value signifies superior insulating properties
Advances in panel composition mean that thinner panels can now achieve impressive thermal performance, maximising storage space within the cold store.
WARRANTIES AND LONG-TERM RELIABILITY
The longevity and performance of insulated panels are supported by manufacturer warranties. As product quality continuously improves across various panel types, warranties serve as a crucial differentiator in the market. A comprehensive, longterm warranty signals a manufacturer ' s confidence in their product ' s structural and thermal performance. It is essential for operators to thoroughly understand the terms and conditions of these warranties, as some may become void if panels are used in applications beyond their intended purpose. Prioritising suppliers who offer extended warranty periods provides peace of mind and safeguards against unforeseen capital expenditures in the future.
Installing roofs at 16m high.
Image supplied by Schneider Electric.
Schneider Electric is also expanding the programme to include a services component.
REFERENCES:
1. The Global Cold Chain Alliance( GCCA) 2. FM Approvals 3. ASHRAE( American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers 4. Africhill 5. Dalucon Refrigeration Products 6. Isowall 7. Kingspan 8. Panel World 9. Precool Manufacturing 10. Rigifoam 11. Science Direct 12. Thermal Insulation Products and Systems
Association( TIPSASA)
PANEL BUILDER PROGRAMME EMPOWERS LOCAL BUILDERS
Supplied by Schneider Electric
By simplifying operations, fostering growth, and embracing innovation, the mySchneider Panel Builder Programme in South Africa helps panel builders remain competitive in an ever-evolving market.
The programme is a global initiative launched in South Africa in 2021. It is an interactive and intuitive platform that provides panel builders with certifications and specialised training, tailored to the industry segments they specialise in and customised for their respective industry segments, ensuring relevance and value.
“ Our primary goal is to equip panel
builders with the right competencies and expertise to position themselves as specialised partners in their target markets. This helps them stay top-of-mind with end-users,” says Patsy Mboumba, channel marketing specialist at Schneider Electric South Africa.
She explains that the overall objective of the panel builder programme is to assist panel builders to grow their businesses by becoming specialised, competitive partners.“ This is more than a business initiative; it’ s a partnership. We are dedicated to creating opportunities that benefit both Schneider Electric and our partners, ensuring long-term success for everyone involved,” Mboumba says.
She notes that the programme has been recognised globally with a five-star rating for partner success, which illustrates that it is working well and achieving its goals of helping to enrich its partners.“ This rating reflects the effectiveness of our partnercentric approach, setting Schneider Electric apart as a company that prioritises the success of its partners alongside its own,” Mboumba adds,
DIGITISATION AND INNOVATION
Mboumba adds that the digitisation aspect of the mySchneider panel builder programme is designed to support panel builders to become more than just hardware providers, but also data and analytics partners for their customers. This aligns with the company ' s focus on enabling digital transformation. By leveraging connected solutions, panel builders can integrate panel data with software to deliver actionable insights to their customers.
“ This ability to transform raw data into valuable insights allows panel builders to offer a comprehensive value proposition. End-users can better understand their power usage, improve efficiency and make data-driven decisions,” says Mboumba.
In addition to the focus on digitisation, Schneider Electric is also expanding the programme to include a services component. This will see the introduction of the‘ power upgrade’ badge to the programme, which will enable panel builder partners to enter the services business.“ This services aspect includes maintenance and ongoing services for the units as well. By adding this service component, panel builders can position themselves as full-service providers,” says Mboumba.
“ Since the launch of the programme in South Africa, it has grown significantly, and we currently have more than 100 panel builders participating in this initiative. The introduction of the service component is yet another key part of the programme ' s evolution,” she says.
CLA
20 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za COLD LINK AFRICA • July / August 2025