With a career spanning six decades , Sam Petrie ' s experiences are as rich and varied as the landscapes he ' s traversed .
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
BUSINESS AND TRAINING
HVAC veteran Sam Petrie : a journey through time and refrigeration By Eamonn Ryan
With a career spanning six decades , Sam Petrie ' s experiences are as rich and varied as the landscapes he ' s traversed .
Cold Link Africa caught up with him for one of our regular series of cold chain engineers ’ reminisces from the distant decades .
As the memories crowded in , he began with a twinkle in his eye : " It was in Kimberley . Great fun , that place . We always said , ' When you arrive on site and there ' s a problem , until you open your toolbox , it ' s the client ' s problem . But the moment you crack that toolbox open and lay a tool nearby , it ’ s your problem . I ' ve lived by that creed my entire life ."
His voice carries the weight of years as he recounts one of his most memorable escapades . " The worst situation I was ever in was at the United Building Society on Fox Street . We were waiting for a part , delayed through customs . We talked and joked , and before we knew it , we ' d knocked out all the power in the centre of town . Now that was a big machine we ' re talking about . Probably a 500Kw machine . That was back in 1967 or ' 68 ," he adds , a chuckle bubbling up . " Right in the middle of town . The managing director came down , thermometer in hand and sweating , raving and ranting – none too pleased . We sorted it out . That ' s the thing about this trade – you learn to think on your feet ."
Petrie matriculated at the Johannesburg Trades School , Smit Street , Braamfontein in 1958 and signed an apprenticeship with Penman and Jochelson as an electrical wireman . Like many HVAC engineers it was chance that took him in that direction . He worked for Hall Thermotank in their electrical department working on control panels . " It all began in 1962 ," Petrie recalls with a nostalgic smile , his eyes glinting with memories of days long past . " I was working on switchboards for Thermotank in Cape Town when fate came knocking at my door ."
A desperate call for help led Petrie to an offsite venue where malfunctioning 100Kw ammonia air conditioning machines threatened to derail Christmas festivities . Armed with his trusty toolbox and an unwavering resolve , Petrie dove headfirst into the fray . " Ammonia stink filled the air ," Petrie chuckles , recounting the scene with a mix of amusement and pride . " But I knew I had to act fast . With a simple adjustment , I managed to save the day , earning the gratitude of the folks at the client company ."
Little did Petrie know , this fateful encounter would alter the course of his career forever . " On the fourth of January 1963 ," he continues , " I received an unexpected visit from the managing director . He handed me a ticket to the UK , offering me the opportunity to pursue a course in refrigeration ." He was invited to attend the UK City and Guilds ’ ammonia refrigeration course .
Petrie worked in the UK for a while . “ I found it wasn ' t really my cup of tea with the unions and all . There , you ' re dedicated to
© Cold Link Africa .
Sam Petrie .
a function – you can ' t split out into other disciplines like you can here ."
Returning to South Africa , Petrie found himself immersed in a world of frozen foods at Table Top Foods in George , now known as McCain ' s . " They had 5 000Kw of ammonia refrigeration ," he explains ,
COLD LINK AFRICA • May 2024 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za 17