Cold Link Africa June 2018 | Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
The dawn of a new era for
Cold Link Africa
By Ilana Koegelenberg
COLD LINK AFRICA
Content manager: Benjamin Brits
[e-mail]
Editor: John Ackermann
[e-mail]
Assistant editor: Ilana Koegelenberg
[e-mail]
OPERATIONS
Operations manager: Chantelle van Deventer
[e-mail]
Process controller: Estelle Thurtle
[e-mail]
Design/Layout: Craig Patterson
[e-mail]
Subeditor: Elaine Enslin
[e-mail]
ADVERTISING SALES
Director and sales: Dale Macnamara
[e-mail]
External sales: Paul Engelbrecht
[e-mail]
HEAD OFFICE
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 579 4940
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 450 1920
PO Box 695, Edenvale, 1610
13A Riley Road, Bedfordview, 2008
Email: [e-mail]
FINANCE
Financial/operations director:
Sean Macnamara, CA (SA)
[e-mail]
Financial manager: Laetitia Arnott
[e-mail]
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Richard Bicker Caarten
PRINTER
Typo Colour Printing Specialists
[phone]/9
cnr Bezuidenhout & Beauford St, Troyeville,
Johannesburg, 2094
At an OTTC function last year, from left: John Ackermann, Ilana Koegelenberg, Bob Vuletic (EP MSC), and Barney Richardson (SARACCA).
A
s John Ackermann officially steps
away from being actively involved
in the magazine as its editor, I’d
like to take a moment to thank John for
what he has built over the past 31 years
and reassure all our readers that they will
still receive their favourite refrigeration
publication as per usual.
It’s impossible to quantify the amount I
have learnt from John over the past three
years during the official handover period.
Even together with the three years before
that as editor of the then still Cold Chain
Africa, there is still so much that I do not
know.
Well, I know significantly more than I
did during that first Cool Logistics Africa
conference at the Vineyard Hotel in 2012,
when, during my second week on the job,
I was sent to Cape Town to cover my first
industry event. John welcomed me with
open arms when I introduced myself to him
as his then-competition still, insisting that
we get a photo together. I will never forget
that day or any of my encounters with John
that came after.
We have technically been preparing
for this official ‘handover’ for three years
now — since the last FRIGAIR expo
actually, when we first combined The Cold
Link and Cold Chain Africa to form one
consolidated voice for the refrigeration
industry: Cold Link Africa. Although it has
been three years, it feels way too short.
4
Despite the many hours in cars and
meetings and his office, there was simply
never enough time. Oh, how I wish
there was a download button for all the
information John keeps in his head! As
I have said before, I am fully aware of
how much I have frustrated John at times
— especially with my lack of flexibility in
terms of deadlines … But he always came
through for me in the end. His wisdom is
unquantifiable.
That is why firstly, I am very relieved
that John will still be around as ‘consulting
editor’ to mentor me as I try and navigate
this very technical refrigeration fraternity.
The knowledge he holds can never be found
in any library or on any Google search.
I am excited to build on the solid
foundation John has laid over these 31
years. The more time I have spent getting
to know the various role players in the
industry and the great things everyone is
doing, the more excited I am about the
potential of the magazine. The cold chain
really is so incredibly vast.
From what I have seen so far, I can
honestly say that my horizons have
been expanded beyond my wildest
expectations. From mushroom farms to
vine nurseries, harbour cold stores, ice rinks,
and everything in-between — there are so
many ‘cool’ (sorry, I couldn’t resist) projects
worth covering. My cat ladder climbing skills
have vastly improved over the years, I must
say. So, let me know what you are up to — I
would love to come check it out and take
some photos.
Those of you who have met me, know
that what I lack in experience, I make up
for in enthusiasm and dedication. And
although John is irreplaceable, I vow to do
my utmost to ensure that the magazine
goes from strength to strength in future.
Just like the industry, we want to continue
growing to new heights.
That is why I look forward to tackling
this challenge as the new Cold Link Africa
editor head-on. I know that I have so much
to learn but I am hoping that everyone will
take the time to answer my questions that
might seem tedious (or obvious) at times. I
really cannot do this without you, our loyal
readers. So please let me know what your
world is like and what you want to read.
Drop me an email at any time and I will
definitely get back to you.
With that, I salute you, Mister Ackermann.
I will always be grateful for what you have
taught me — both about the industry and
life in general. This is not the end. This is
our new chapter. You will always have an
open invite whenever you feel like writing
an article or commenting on the industry.
Happy reading everyone. I hope to see
you at FRIGAIR — I have a feeling that this
year’s expo is going to be even better than
the previous one (if that is even possible).
Onwards and upwards! CLA
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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