PAST PRESIDENTS
I would like to take this opportunity in congratulating all our SAIRAC Fellows , Members , and associates on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary .
MIKE HURRIE 2010 – 2011
It has been an honour to have been a member of SAIRAC serving on and off the council over the past 40 years . Now as an overseas retired member I look back at the memorable times having been part of the Institute .
My first memories of technical meetings were held at Kelvin Grove and Newlands Cricket Club . The Institute brought all facets of our industry together in HVAC and Refrigeration . The Fellows , Members , and associates were mostly employed in the consultancy , contracting , and equipment supply sectors . This was a great opportunity to rub shoulders with and stay informed and up to date with regards to the latest developments in system design , installation methods , and equipment technology .
I was extremely privileged to have worked for a few very successful fan manufacturing companies in South Africa before accepting an opportunity to advance to Systemair ' s head office and manufacturing facility in Sweden . Firstly , as product manager for all fan equipment manufactured in Sweden , I was presented with the task of heading up a task force in redesigning more efficient fan products due to the then-new EU ErP directives . This was quite a challenge but due to my varied experience in South Africa dealing with local and international companies I was well-positioned for the challenge .
The many years of attending and presenting at SAIRAC meetings had well prepared me with a broad sense of global knowledge . After five years as a Product Manager , I was made responsible as Export Director responsible for Asia , the Middle East , and Western Europe . Once again , I was able to take on this challenge ; sharing my knowledge primarily in the energysaving area . Now retired , I am still approached by investors and businesses to give input and opinion on methodology and trends in our very important industry .
My message is always , and as past President , is for SAIRAC to attract young students not only from Universities but also from Technikons . Apprentices should also be encouraged to become part of SAIRAC , as education and the sharing of knowledge are of paramount importance in taking our industry into the future .
For me , SAIRAC was the catalyst in providing me with a global overview of our industry with which I am proud to have been associated .
I would like to take this opportunity in congratulating all our SAIRAC Fellows , Members , and associates on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary .
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HERVAC INDUSTRY 11