4
News
AMPAIR / BUTEC CONSOLIDATES OPERATIONS AND ENHANCES DATA CENTRE COOLING TRAINING
Written by Eamonn Ryan
The façade of the new consolidated business premises .
The practical room
Edward Button , Ampair Group
Training Officer & Skills Development
Facilitator .
Following its acquisition by Lebanese multinational BUTEC , last year Ampair made the decision to consolidate all its operations into a single , expansive site .
This move was aimed at streamlining the company ' s activities and creating a centralised hub for training , particularly in the cooling of data centers . By bringing together all departments and training facilities under one roof , Ampair sought to enhance its productivity , efficiency , and expertise in the industry .
All images by © Eamonn Ryan / RACA Journal
Edward Button , Ampair Group Training Officer & Skills Development Facilitator , says : “ The consolidation of Ampair ' s training facilities under one roof has yielded several advantages . With multiple companies operating within the same structure , the visibility and awareness of Ampair ' s training programmes have significantly increased . Previously , the company faced challenges as a standalone training facility , with limited recognition within the industry . However , the new setup has allowed us to leverage the collective strength and reputation of the companies within the BUTEC group to become a comprehensive training provider .
“ The transition to a consolidated site marks a departure from Ampair ' s previous location in Spartan , where the company was spread across multiple buildings . Recognising the operational and financial challenges posed by this dispersed setup , BUTEC made the decision to relocate to a single building . The move brought together various entities within the BUTEC umbrella , including Ampair , IES , Thermaire and Ductshop , which have now become part of the larger parent company , BUTEC . The latter is known for its expertise in construction , renewable energy , and infrastructure projects , and now provides Ampair with valuable synergies and opportunities for growth .
The new premises chosen by BUTEC provides ample space and resources to accommodate its various operations . The company not only manufactures ducting and performs HVAC services and electrical installations but also places significant emphasis on training and skills development . The training facility within the premises serves as a hub for these departments and external partners that enables seamless coordination between them . This consolidation of operations enables Ampair / THERMAIRE to offer comprehensive training opportunities and support its various departments effectively , as well as external training sponsored by government through YES ( Youth Employment Services ) as well as other schemes . Its approximately 40 trainees at any one time come approximately 50 % from Ampair / Thermaire itself , while the other 50 % is sourced from YES , dependent on fluctuating government allocations . Ampair adjusts its own resources accordingly to accommodate the programme ' s requirements ,” says Button .
4
RACA Journal I September 2023 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za