RACA Journal I May 2026 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za 17
ANNIVERSARY
Because multiple stages of a project are handled internally, the company maintains direct oversight of workmanship and performance.
Accountability is another aspect that Munsamy believes sets the company apart. Construction projects rarely proceed without challenges, and he maintains that the true test of a contractor lies in how those challenges are handled. When problems arise, he says, the company takes responsibility, resolves the issue and learns from the experience.
The organisation’ s credentials also reflect its commitment to operating at the highest professional level. Its 7ME PE grading from the Construction Industry Development Board confirms that it has the financial strength, organisational infrastructure and technical expertise required to undertake large-scale mechanical engineering projects.
Over the years, the company’ s services have expanded in response to evolving client requirements. What began as a focused HVAC installation and maintenance operation has grown into a broader mechanical engineering and building services contractor.
Today the business delivers commercial and industrial HVAC design and installation, chilled water plant engineering, air-handling and ventilation systems, duct and damper manufacturing, refrigeration solutions, electrical services and building management systems. Long-term maintenance contracts have also become a core component of the company’ s offering, helping to establish lasting client relationships while ensuring optimal system performance.
Technician training and certification are central to the company, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations and continuous professional development. The HVAC landscape has also changed dramatically over the past two decades. When the company began operations in 2006, energy efficiency was often considered a desirable but optional feature. Today it is a contractual requirement on many projects.
Technological advances such as inverter systems, variable refrigerant flow solutions and sophisticated building management systems have reshaped the industry. At the same time, environmental policies have driven the phase-out of older refrigerants such as R-22 in favour of lower-global-warmingpotential alternatives.
" These changes have required continuous adaptation. We have invested in engineering expertise, design software, and energy modelling capabilities to ensure that our projects meet modern efficiency standards and comply with regulations such as SANS 10400-XA," he says.
Complex projects, from hospital plant upgrades to large commercial duct installations, have honed the team’ s technical expertise.
Other demanding assignments have included large-scale duct manufacturing and installation for major commercial developments, as well as specialised extraction and pressurisation systems for laboratories and pharmaceutical facilities. Projects such as these require precise engineering and co-ordination, often pushing teams to expand their capabilities.
Munsamy says: " Looking ahead, our strategic priorities include advancing engineering expertise in smart building technologies, energy modelling and controls integration as buildings become more intelligent. We also aim to expand into underserved regions and invest in the next generation of technical professionals through graduate programmes and apprenticeships."
For Munsamy, leadership lessons learned over two decades in business centre largely on people and culture. A company’ s success, he believes, ultimately depends on the strength of the team behind it.“ You cannot manage your way to quality – you have to lead your way there,” he says.
As the company celebrates its anniversary, Munsamy is quick to acknowledge the individuals who shaped both his career and the organisation itself. He pays tribute to his late wife and founder Joelyn Rose Munsamy, to his mentor Peter Hamilton, and to his father Sagie Munsamy, who instilled a strong work ethic – not forgetting his supportive family, wife Michelle Munsamy, his four daughters and his“ amazing team at AIRE Group” that stands strong alongside him today.
He also recognises the contribution of employees across the organisation – from apprentices and technicians in the field to engineers and project managers in the office – along with partners, suppliers and clients who have supported the company over the years.
“ Twenty years is only the beginning,” he says.“ The best is ahead of us.”
ADAPTING TO A FASTER, MORE DEMANDING INDUSTRY Reflecting on two decades in the HVAC and construction sectors, Munsamy notes how dramatically project expectations have accelerated.“ Thirty years ago, we relied on fax machines – you would receive instructions, work on them for weeks, then send a response. That pace allowed for careful planning and thorough execution,” he says.
Today, by contrast, instant communication via email, WhatsApp or text has created a culture of immediacy.“ As soon as a message is read, it’ s assumed you’ ve completed the work. Timeframes are compressed, and projects move faster than ever,” he observes.
This shift, he believes, has heightened the pressure on contractors to deliver, sometimes at the expense of quality.“ I personally feel we’ re building too fast nowadays, and not always with the care we applied 20 years ago. That’ s why our focus on technical excellence, disciplined project management and rigorous standards remains more important than ever.” Munsamy’ s perspective underscores how evolving communication technologies and client expectations have transformed the construction landscape – challenging companies to balance speed with enduring engineering quality. RACA business
RACA Journal I May 2026 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za 17