NEWS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Mike Spearpoint
honoured
as an industry icon
A
t the SAIRAC AGM of the Port
had a large pineapple production area.
“His determination to find lasting
Elizabeth centre held on 11
Shipments of fruit in reefer containers from
solutions is one of his many distinguishing
August, Mike Spearpoint’s
Port Elizabeth were developing.
characteristics,” said Campbell.
ongoing commitment to the industry
Many stalwarts in the industry hailed
In presenting the award to Spearpoint,
was recognised by the presentation of a
from Port Elizabeth and East London: Bob
John Ackermann, editor of Cold Link
Meritorious award.
Caldwell, Dave Ward, Des Smith, Mike
Africa, referred to an article that had
Struter, Barney Richardson, Bruce Meaker,
been published in the September
African Institute of Refrigeration in July
Since the founding of the South
Mike Spearpoint, and many more …
2000 edition, covering Spearpoint’s
1951 in Cape Town, the strides made by
Each respected for their expertise and
role in developing and modifying the
the institute towards the development of
professionalism.
refrigeration system for a six-metre
the art and the science of refrigeration
VacuFresh intermodal hypobaric
and environmental control in the many
container, which had been done in
sectors of the economy, has relied on
the voluntary and tireless efforts of its
members.
In 1962, the institute broadened its
focus and changed its name to the
South African Institute of Refrigeration
and Air Conditioning (SAIRAC). Shortly
after the name change, branches were
established in the other major cities.
In receiving the Meritorious
award, Spearpoint once
again indicated that
he was planning on
retirement. But knowing
him, we know that it will be
postponed.
Port Elizabeth with its many talented
individuals in the HVAC&R field was the
first centre to be formed outside of
Cape Town.
Thermaire and later Improvair,
Donkin Manufacturing, as well as
Ventline were all active in meeting the
needs of HVAC&R in the many motor
assembly plants, automotive component
manufacturers, the apple industry in the
Langkloof, and the citrus industry in the
Sundays River area. East London also
conjunction with Welfit Oddy. Sixteen
years later, Welfit Oddy still has the
intermodal hypobaric container that
revolutionised the sea shipment of
delicate perishable products, which
often could only be sent to far off foreign
markets by airfreight. The work done by
Spearpoint involved tests on cut roses
that were held in the container in Port
Elizabeth and tested their vase life over a
Spearpoint, with membership number
1 006, joined SAIRAC on 1 August 1980,
serving the institute in many offices over
the years. In 1990, he was elected chair
of the centre and played a leading role
in education and enrichment courses.
In his tribute to Spearpoint during the
AGM, Alan Campbell recalled his time
as a business colleague, remembering
Spearpoint for his precision in all his
undertakings as an HEVAC engineer.
period of 30 days.
At the meeting, Spearpoint commented
that Australia is now developing the
system as a conventional cube container
compared with the previous container
tank to have a wider application in the
international trade of perishables.
After leaving the contracting sector,
Spearpoint joined Aspen Pharmaceuticals
in Port Elizabeth and brought about many
innovative changes to the chilled water
system as well as environmental control
COLD LINK AFRICA
Content Director: Rory Macnamara
Editor: John Ackermann
[email protected]
Assistant Editor: Ilana Koegelenberg
[email protected]
OPERATIONS
Operations Manager: Benjamin Brits
[email protected]
Design/Layout: Glyniss Bone
[email protected]
Process Controller: Estelle Thurtle
[email protected]
Subeditor: Elaine Enslin
[email protected]
ADVERTISING SALES
Director and Sales: Dale Macnamara
[email protected]
External Sales: Paul Engelbrecht
[email protected]
External Sales - Cape Town: Johann Lourens
[email protected] | +27 (0) 72 372 7968
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: [email protected]
FINANCE
Accounts: Laetitia Arnott
[email protected]
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Sean Macnamara, CA (SA)
PRINTER
Typo Color Printing Specialists
+27 (0) 11 402 3468/9
cnr Bezuidenhout & Beauford St, Troyeville,
Johannesburg, 2094
DISTRIBUTION/MAILING
CAB Holdings +27 (0) 11 615 6572
1 Trein Street, The Gables, Cleveland, 2001
DISCLAIMER
Whilst every reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure
the accuracy of the advice and information given, neither
the Editor, Publisher, Proprietor, Staff nor any official body
represented or published in this issue, will accept responsibility
for any damages, loss, injuries or false claims that may arise or
be made in the content.
Disclaimers by individual companies are hereby overridden.
Reproduction of any of the content is expressly forbidden
in terms of the Copyright Act of 1987 with all amendments.
All requests to reproduce must be made in writing to the
Publisher and such confirmation must be given in writing before
proceeding. A copy of where the reproduction was published
must be supplied to the Publisher at the above address. No
reasonable request will be refused provided all conditions are
met. All Publication and Exhibition titles are registered as trade
marks in terms of the Trade Marks Act of 1993 and are held by
Interact Media Defined (Pty) Ltd, Reg No 2014/092774/07.
This publication subscribes to the Advertising Standards
Authority (ASA) Code of Conduct w