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RACA Journal Publication
www . hvacronline . co . za benjamin @ interactmedia . co . za
GREEN SHOOTS AND PROFITABILITY
recurring challenge I have noted for so many
A industries these days is that although activity seems to be on the increase , albeit it slow , margins are under so much pressure that businesses find themselves facing some hard questions .
One of these , and a serious one at that , is the question of if you are not making money why be in business ? A valid viewpoint , but I wonder firstly what real expectations have been set by business owners under the current economic environment , and secondly if this situation is not a selfinflicted one ?
Whole industry sectors being under financial pressure indicates that providers are cutting costs in order to secure business . This has obvious implications , and the first thing that should pop into everyone ’ s mind is quality because this will definitely experience a compromise and is not good for the industry in general .
Secondly , for the people doing the negotiations and making the payments , you have to consider that if you are not using quality service providers where you have a number of guarantees and can rely on certain expertise and a track record , the concern surely
has to arise as to who the work will be awarded to in terms of their quality policy ? Perhaps there is no regard for this anymore ? Another factor , and one thing I know for a fact from experience , is that once prices have dropped ( and there is a compromise somewhere – usually quality ) the resulting price expectation from the clients ’ perspective makes it virtually impossible to lift the levels again , and everyone ( who has stayed in business ) will be running around delivering products and services that are questionable and bound to include shortcomings .
We all know that a compromise on quality does not produce the longevity , nor a platform to meet any industry or environmental goals . Although times do require a certain pencil-sharpening , perhaps a bigger picture view needs to be considered . Progress cannot be achieved when no one is moving forward .
In this issue we cover locally , some regulatory changes and the launch of a new VRF system by Toshiba to the South African market . Our project is the luxury Radisson OR Tambo complex including a conference centre , hotel and spa .
Our feature is on the latest VRF technology where suppliers are competing on the reduced size of condenser chassis , to new compressor technology and improved digital and communication features , and all with their own unique selling propositions that include ease of installation and use to unique warranty systems .
Our contributors cover a range of topics from herd immunity considerations to chilled water systems and glycol or other brine solutions . RACA Journal also bids Andrew Perks farewell ; however , his ongoing contributions will still be found in Cold Link Africa . We also report on two events that took place in the last weeks – one being the momentous graduation ceremony of 59 students , and the other an encouragement workshop for women in the sector where seniors offered advice to the group while examining the industry ’ s preparedness to fully adapt to more female representation .
This month ’ s quote is based on an enlightening conversation I had recently with a director at an industry-supplier who shared the same advice with their team . Their simple advice was that yes , times are tough right now , but if you think about it , each year comes with its own challenges in one or other form . If you keep complaining about how bad everything is , of course it is going to be bad .
“ Leaders think and talk about the solutions . Followers think and talk about the problems .” – Brian Tracy .
I welcome your continued engagement , comments and suggestions in order to produce a quality product that brings you value . This is your magazine as I will continue to remind you , so if you see opportunity for improvement or wish to contribute to its success – let me know !
Have a great month ! RACA
Ben
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I July 2021 1