FEATURE
REPAIR COST
If a single fan within an RDC fails, the unit
won’t be able to maintain a low enough
ambient temperature. The workload
placed on the remaining fans often
proves too much and the unit will be
turned off until it can be repaired.
The average price for a technician
call-out can be up to R2 500 per visit.
Many supermarkets have predetermined
fees in place with service companies,
who get the RDC back up and running.
Technicians often need to make repeat
visits. With this, the cost for repairs and
replacement fans starts to escalate.
These costs are not accounted for when
purchasing the RDC, however, they can
be avoided altogether.
LOSS OF PRODUCE
Whether it is a café or a major retailer,
‘cash-flow is king’, and eliminating
stock wastage is a key element for all
managers. Depending on the type of
produce, an RDC could hold on average
R15 000 worth of stock; with individual
product prices ranging from as little as
R12 up to R450.
When a refrigerated display cabinet
fails, the supermarket will need to
dispose of the stock due to health and
safety standards, unless the cabinet is
emptied within 20 minutes. In the initial
procurement process, it appears that the
risk of disposing R15 000 worth of stock is
not accounted for when choosing new
RDCs. Yet the price difference between
an inferior quality fan and a quality fan in
the RDC could equate to roughly R230 –
or that of a lamb roast.
TRADING LOSS
When an RDC fails, the produce stocked
within it is removed and the cabinet is out
of action. This merchandising space is then
lost and any produce which would have
been displayed, is now unavailable. This loss
of trading time and space should always
be considered when purchasing an RDC.
If, due to ‘downtime’, you can’t use
the RDC for 10, 11, 12… days a year,
the cabinet isn’t performing
the job it was purchased for.
Retail space is expensive,
and supermarkets know
better than most what
the value of optimising
merchandising space is.
PUBLIC LIABILITY
When an RDC fails, the
condensation from the
unit can cause flooding
onto the aisle floor; which
is a health and safety
COLD LINK AFRICA •
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Considering the right refrigerated display cabinet with high quality, technologically
driven fans, saves supermarkets various expenses.
hazard. The risk of a customer slipping on
the wet floor and injuring themselves is a
moral and economical dilemma.
For any supermarket, the safety
and comfort of their customers and
employees is a high priority. However,
some accidents still occur; so many
businesses have public liability insurance
and legal requirements dictate that
employer’s liability insurance is a must.
Suddenly, a failing RDC becomes a
growing financial burden.
QUALITY MATTERS
Price-driven buyers have resulted in
a market where sacrifices have been
made to stay competitive. Cheaper
components have gradually been
making their way into new RDCs. This
has resulted in a reduction in the overall
reliability and efficiency of RDCs; due
to a shorter life expectancy of the
components within it. In South Africa
especially, with our ever-increasing
energy prices, make sure that your RDCs
are fitted with energy efficient fans.
Considering the right RDC with high
quality, technologically driven fans,
saves supermarkets the expense of the
technician, new parts, new stock, and
prevents the loss of trading and dangers
to customer safety; all of which add up
over time. Smart buyers should always
look at investing in longer term solutions.
Why is EC technology the ‘next big thing’?
Electronic Commutation (EC) motors are brushless DC motors powered by AC mains.
EC fans use permanent magnet motors, running on high voltage direct current (DC)
electricity, with built in AC to DC conversions, allowing them to run direct from single
It’s important that refrigerated
display cabinets are fitted with
energy efficient fans (such as this
ebm-papst one).
OCTOBER 2019
phase or three phase main supplies. Our EC fans provide you with high performance,
lower noise, speed control and a long-life expectancy in a product which is the same
size as the old, power hungry AC versions it replaces.
CLA
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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