EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Transfrig (Valeo) launches
local R&D centre
By Ilana Koegelenberg
T
he 4 March event was very well
attended by industry stakeholders
and customers from across the
country who came to see what the
new state-of-the-art testing facility for
transport refrigeration looks like.
Peter Solomon, local managing
director of Valeo Thermal Transport
Refrigeration, kicked things off with a few
words about the company and its history.
He spoke about how the company
has grown exponentially over the past
two decades, doubling its number of
employees.
Solomon explained the importance of
foreign investment locally, which is where
the Valeo acquisition ties in. Valeo is an
automotive tech company providing
technologies for the passenger car and
commercial vehicle industry worldwide.
The company designs innovative solutions
for smart mobility with a particular focus
on intuitive driving, reducing CO 2 emissions
and electrification. This new investment
means that Transfrig (a Valeo brand) can
now take on international competitors.
He spoke about the Cryofridge unit,
sharing that more than 350 units are now
Transfrig was recently bought out by Valeo and on 4 March 2019, Valeo Thermal Commercial
Vehicles established a world-class development and design centre for transport refrigeration
units in Johannesburg.
Guests interacting with staff and having a look around.
Stakeholders from far and wide attended this exciting event.
running nationally for Shoprite and that
sales have taken off in Europe over the
last year. He invited everyone to come
see a Cryo unit in operation at its premises
across the road.
Solomon welcomed everyone and
thanked the international visitors from
Valeo in particular. He also spoke about
Bill Wilson’s retirement at the end of June
(read more later in the article).
He handed over to Christian Müller,
director at Valeo, who also heads up
the truck refrigeration systems at the
company. “The inauguration of this centre
is a very special occasion for us,” said
Müller at the launch. He explained how
they want to grow innovation, especially
with regards to CO 2 reduction.
In the new Linbro Business Park facility
in Johannesburg, Valeo will continue to
improve its products in terms of efficiency
and reliability, making them suitable
for new markets but also for future
requirements in the South African market.
Many of the markets they are
currently active in have (similar to
the South African market) the highest
requirements regarding robustness of the
equipment and simplicity of service and
maintenance for the same. Additionally,
the Valeo team has to prepare its units for
different voltages and extreme ambient
temperatures.
“New products are currently under
development to offer new refrigeration
solutions for every road vehicle,” said
Müller. Valeo will also continue to further
develop and promote its environmentally-
friendly solutions like Cryofridge and
propane technology.
The plan is for the Linbro facility to be
the creative centre for green, but also
practical transport refrigeration solutions.
Meet the team, from left: Graham Wells
(engineering manager); Sulaiman Gatap
(R&D engineer); Ethan Powell (design
engineer); Louw Coetzee (test engineer);
Ruan Fondse (design engineer); Franz
Summerer (HOD Transport Refrigeration
R&D); Francois De Villiers (R&D engineer);
Christian Müller (director); Bill Wilson (R&D
consultant); and Peter Solomon (director).
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www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
COLD LINK AFRICA • June 2019