Cold Link Africa May 2019 | Page 18

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN Bitzer SA regional conference updates the continent By John Ackermann R Technological advancements in product design and improved performance were high on the agenda at the 9th regional sales conference of Bitzer South Africa, which took place in Cape Town on 22–23 February 2019. ising energy costs and new environmental regulations are driving innovation and redefining technological boundaries in cooling and environmental temperature control. With each new product, training course, selection program, quality control of in-field service or extended warranties, Bitzer aims to set new global standards in HVAC&R. Innovative product development at Bitzer follows three tracks: towards a greater usage of low global warming potential (GWP) / natural refrigerants; improved compressor efficiency at full- and part load with the support of user-friendly design programs; and international after-sales service. For two days, the 28 delegates from across Africa networked with the Bitzer team on product developments, innovation in electronic controls, quality assurance of spares, adaption of product to new refrigerants, and international trends towards low GWP systems. The conference was not just about presentations but also breakaway workshops for delegates to test their skills in programming the Varipack frequency inverters and the optimisation of Ecostar performance. NEW DISTRIBUTORS The 2019 conference held at the Lagoon Beach hotel in Cape Town, was the first since the signing of the Sharing some thoughts during a refreshment break, Bernhard Blaeser (left) with Bernard Mokoni (Archer Engineering, Zimbabwe). From left: Hennie Botha (Eurocool Pretoria); Shaun Powell (Eurocool Randburg); Torsten Steinborn (Bitzer); and Gary Hartman (Eurocool Middelburg), on the terrace of the Lagoon Beach hotel overlooking Table Bay. Eurocool team networking during a refreshment break. From left: Gavin Wiffen (Cape Town); Rodney Taylor and Johann van Breda (both Johannesburg head office); with Torsten Steinborn (Bitzer) and Greg Dyer (AC&R Components). With the new Eurocool and Metraclark teams, the 2019 BSA regional conference had a larger attendance than previous years. 18 www.coldlinkafrica.co.za COLD LINK AFRICA • May 2019