EVENTS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Thermo King launches
new trailer units
By John Ackermann
Thermo King recently launched its new SLXi single- and multi-temperature
refrigeration units for trailers, showing off this new product with events in
Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
T
he launch was kicked off in
Johannesburg, then moved to Cape
Town and ended in Durban during
April and May.
ABOUT SLXI
So, what makes this product so special?
“With the new SLXi, you always win,”
Francois van der Westhuizen, head of
transport cooling sales GEA, said at the
national launch. This unit has been
designed with applied technology to
prevent loss and damage to product.
Reduced total ownership cost with
less impact on the environment, a lower
carbon footprint, lower fuel consumption,
ultra-quiet operation, and 24/7 real time
connectivity are some of the attractions of
Thermo King’s new unit.
The whisper-quiet operation and the
higher fuel efficiency stems from extending
the application of electronics and
communication technology.
The unit is also equipped with Bluetooth
via the TK Bluebox communication. From
their mobile phone, an operator can view
from any location the real time operating
data of their refrigeration units from across
the country.
The unit comes with an extended
warranty of six years. The new e-coated
frame has been designed to place less
stress on components and contributes to
extended life.
The SLXi design has been focused on
advanced, efficient, ‘green’ technology
with the least impact on the environment
and is charged with R452A refrigerant, which
has a reduction of 45% in GWP compared
to previously used R404A. The refrigerant
charge has also been reduced by a change
to microchannel finned heat exchangers.
The direct injection industrial-type engine
operates at a reduced nominal speed
with resultant less exhaust gas emissions.
A LAUNCH WITH A DIFFERENCE
There was a virtual reality presentation of
the installation of a unit in the workshop.
This had been produced by Oliver Karsteel,
a 23-year-old with amazing electronic
design skills. In Johannesburg, the viewing
was done inside one of the new trailers of
Icecold Bodies.
The launch was rather unique in that
it incorporated the body builders. In
Johannesburg, the SLXi was shown in the new
trailers of Serco, Icecold bodies, and Elite
Fibre. Each with its own features as a result of
changes in their manufacturing techniques.
BACKUP SUPPORT
Having efficient and high-performance
refrigeration units is only of value to
operators if backed by a quality backup
service network. GEA Africa has 10
authorised service distributors across South
Africa and Namibia. And in their own
branches in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth,
KwaZulu-Natal, and Johannesburg, they
have 70 Thermo King trained technicians
with different levels of competency (gold,
silver, or bronze).
Thermo King has an extensive
international training programme for all
service technicians, who are graded
according to their level of competency.
In a highly competitive market where
operating costs are under the spotlight in a
challenging economy, the features of this
SLXi, which will contribute to reduced
total cost ownership, will be attractive to
all operators in the refrigerated
logistics sector. CLA
CAPE TOWN LAUNCH
1 2
3 4
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www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
1. From left: Francois van der Westhuizen (GEA Africa),
John Ackermann (Cold Link Africa), and Clint Holcroft
(Serco).
2. From left: Annes Geldenhuys (Geldenhuys Vervoer
Ceres), Gert van Rooyen (Elite Fibre), and Johann
Coetzee (GEA Africa).
3. From left: Scott Buckley (Elite Fibre Cape Town) with
Jacques van Rooyen (Elite Fibre George).
4. From left: Marius Mans (Mans Vervoer) with André
Basson (Fast ‘n Fresh).
5. From left: Peter Viljoen (Fast ‘n Fresh), Gert van
Rooyen (Elite Fibre), and Jacques van Rooyen (Elite
Fibre).
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COLD LINK AFRICA • September | October 2017