www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I August 2024 13
Events and Exhibitions
WE SPEAK TO EXHIBITORS AT FRIGAIR 2025
By Eamonn Ryan
With just over a year to go , the best stands in the 2025 offering of Frigair are rapidly being booked .
As the HERVAC sector ’ s only dedicated event in Africa , it represents a not-to-be-missed opportunity to be seen among the elite of the industry . The HERVAC industry is known to produce the best outcomes when done through physical interaction , and such opportunities abound at FRIGAIR .
Since 1980 , FRIGAIR has been providing an industry-preferred platform for engagement on doing business , knowledge transfer and networking opportunities . The 2025 event will no doubt create excitement and stimulus for the entire heating , energy , refrigeration , ventilation and air-conditioning ( HERVAC ) industries .
It is one of the South African Institute for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning ’ s ( SAIRAC ) premier events , as well as the largest dedicated HERVAC trade exhibition in Africa . FRIGAIR 2025 will feature an exhibition , workshops and courses which are eagerly anticipated by the industry , if 2022 ’ s event is anything to go by . The exhibition and its lineup of several free-to-attend workshops and courses will once again take place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand , on 4 – 6 June 2025 . A lot of progress in techniques and technology has occurred over recent years , driven primarily by solutions to aspects related to indoor air quality , as well as efficiency and the heightened drive to mitigate global warming and its effects – where the HERVAC sector plays a significant role in terms of energy and refrigerants .
SO MUCH ON OFFER FOR VISITORS , YOU CAN ’ T MISS OUT ! Some key reasons to visit will include :
• Sourcing cutting edge products and technologies .
• Learning opportunities from daily workshops and courses .
• Network with suppliers and service providers .
• Engage with 100 + knowledgeable exhibitors .
• Experience live demos .
• Discover new products and solutions .
“ JUST ONE SUCH LEAD MAKES AN ENTIRE EVENT WORTHWHILE ” Robert Kershaw , Barpro sales and marketing manager : Johannesburg , has attended the previous two Frigairs and will be at the 2025 iteration . Reflecting what can occur at such a face-to-face event , he says his experience of Frigair is positively impacted by the fact Barpro had acquired a lead at the 2019 show whose turnover has subsequently grown considerably .
“ Just one such lead makes an entire event worthwhile ,” he enthuses , “ but both shows were really good . There was a good throughput of people from our industry , most of whom we already knew . There was also new interest . That ’ s what you ’ re looking at from a show – just one or two very good connections that hopefully leads to future business .
“ Being present at Frigair is also about having brand visibility . We sell a number of smaller products , like Ismelt ( which melts ice ten times faster than salt which we give out samples of ) and Delf freezer ware which gets a lot of interest , in addition to our racking with our core business being mobile racking .”
Barpro has developed a base of 350 racking systems which remains an important part of its business , including inspections , maintenance and repairs , and overhauling motors . It has branched from its core mobile racking to other types of racking including gravity feed pallet , static racking , drive-in racking , and more .
Kershaw says his expectations of Frigair 2025 are for more of the same : “ I would like to connect with customers similar to my experience of the first show , who are looking to grow and build cold stores whether in South Africa or elsewhere in Africa . We ’ re doing a lot more work in some of our neighbouring countries .
“ Barpro is well known in the marketplace and a lot of business comes from word of mouth , but we also get referrals from shows like Frigair , because attendees come down from north of our borders .
“ Since the last show we attended Barpro has gone a lot more into rack safety awareness and inspecting racks in line with SEMA ( Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association ). We have identified a massive need for safe racking systems .”
CEMA is UK-based , consisting of companies in the racking industry , including storage , rack manufacturers , consultants and others . They created guidelines for users on how to design racking systems , to maintain and to make them safe and ensure they are used correctly .
“ When Barpro identified this need we partnered with them and employed a safety inspector who passed the SEMA qualification to become a SEMA-approved rack inspector ( SARI ). We have also developed a rack safety and inspection training workshop for companies on-site - and this business is gaining a lot of traction .
SEMA recommends that companies do planned self-inspection of their racks on a weekly or fortnightly basis , and employ a PRRS ( person responsible for racking safety ). RACA
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I August 2024 13