PAST PRESIDENTS
papers delivered by many international speakers and a vibrant programme of social activities such as toasting a brilliant sunset with champagne on the top of Signal Hill as part of an evening bus tour . The camaraderie and enthusiasm of SAIRAC members in organising the event will long be remembered and cherished .
JOHN ACKERMANN 1996 – 1998
In 1996 the industry experienced a wave of changes amongst many of the major role players . The refrigerant business of Polifin , formerly AECI , South Africa ’ s last manufacturer of refrigerants ( R11 & R12 ), was acquired by A-Gas . A number of fan suppliers were consolidated and a new one launched in form of AMS . Two wholesalers of long standing , Reco and IRS , were acquired by the Saute group of the UK .
In the wake of the phase out of CFCs , the international attention changed to global warming and TEWI ( Total Environmental Warming Impact ) became an important consideration in the design of R & A / C systems .
Although South Africa was re-classified by the signatories of the Montreal Protocol as a developing country , it maintained its obligation to the phase out of CFCs as a developed country . As part of its commitment to the Protocol , industry directed its attention to the safe handling of refrigerants and ACRICSA was formed as representative of all the associations and institutions in the industry , to manage the registration of those competent in this important skill . SAIRAC was proudly a founder member of ACRICSA .
An industry highlight was the stand-alone refrigeration and air conditioning exhibition , RAC Africa 98 , held in March 1998 , at the Culemborg Centre in Cape Town , which had a record of exhibitor space of 3 262m 2 and attracted 3 020 visitors . The Frigair 98 Conference , held alongside in the Cape Town Civic Centre , had 237 delegates who registered for 468 sessions . The conference , which was jointly organised by the Cape Town SAIRAC committee and SARDA was hailed a success , with a balanced programme of interesting
The management structure of SAIRAC underwent major changes . In 1998 , the Constitution was changed to restructure the Council to make for equal representation of the centres and terminated the National Executive . Initially there was strong resistance to this change , but the ballot by members gave a clear mandate as to the sentiments of the members as a whole .
The fee structure was also amended to include the category of ‘ Associate Member ’, to encourage Associates to qualify for an upgrade to Member .
To honour our founding president , the Dreosti Memorial lecture was instituted , and the planning of the first lecture by Robert Heap of the Cambridge Refrigeration Technology was started .
The official opening in 1998 of the OTTC as a privatelyowned training centre in Springs , brought a welcomed boost to the skills development of our industry . The opening of OTTC also marked the start towards our industry competing in the WorldSkills Competition .
Although SAIRAC was the sole institution in South Africa to represent all individuals active in or associated with the air conditioning , refrigeration , ventilation and heating industry , the membership of less than 950 in 1998 was not representative of all the individuals active in the industry . The biggest challenge that faced Council was to encourage Centre Committees to arrange sought-after enrichment courses , interesting technical presentations at monthly meetings and unrestricted networking with all sectors of the industry .
In the period 1996 to 1998 , SAIRAC continued with its aim to uplift the level of skills , expertise , and professionalism of our industry . SAIRAC also aimed to dispel the all too often perceived fallacy that the knowledge of the art and science of refrigeration and its hands-on skills can be gained through quick-fix crash courses .
The close support and commitment of all my fellow Council members and Centre committees brought great honour to my Presidency and will remain a highlight in my career in refrigeration and air conditioning , with humble beginnings in 1969 .
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HERVAC INDUSTRY 9