Business partnerships with major suppliers were strengthened in 2017 with Airefrig Australia focusing on new products and extending its refrigeration equipment, controls and refrigerant range. The company is committed to a strong future with general manager, Stephen Cross, talking exclusively to CCN about plans for 2018.
Going into the new year, Cross said one of the most important decisions made in 2017 was to engage more highly trained people throughout Australia to provide a greater level of support for customers.
“This allowed us to help customers learn about changes across the industry and introduce them to new technologies and products about to be released moving forward,” he said.
One of the most notable in new products is the introduction of low GWP refrigerants. In partnership with A-Gas Australia, Airefrig has been planning ahead to account for the 2018 HFC refrigerant quotas being imposed in Australia.
“Airefrig is ready, experienced and future proof with unitary. We have included R449a and R513a to our existing refrigerant stock and are carrying out presentations and training to assist our customers with a quick and simple transition,” he said.
The latest TD Enthalpy units in 49kW and 55kW will be released to the market in early 2018.
These new units maintain the many standard features of the Enthalpy range with the added benefit of ebm-papst EC fans, compressor capacity control and digital displays of unit suction and discharge pressures - all managed by a Carel controller.
A high efficiency coalescent oil separator is a new addition to the 25HP and 30HP units. “These new TD units have been specifically designed and assembled in Australia so as to maintain the quality that the market has come to expect from the Enthalpy range,” Cross said.
“Airefrig continues to expand its assembly factory in Australia to meet the increased demand for these high-quality refrigeration units.”
Cross said Airefrig has a partnership with Danfoss that gets stronger every year.
“Our latest release to the Australian market is small, compact refrigeration units up to 7.5HP manufactured by Danfoss and only available through Airefrig,” he said.
“The Optyma™ Slim Pack units are ideal for medium and low temperature refrigeration applications. Featuring a micro channel heat exchanger, the refrigerant charge is reduced by up to 35 per cent, plus the unit also offers significant energy savings. We have worked closely with Danfoss to bring these lightweight units to market here.
“We also distribute variable speed drives from Danfoss.”
Another high quality company that has a long-standing partnership with Airefrig is Bitzer Australia.
“We have distributed Bitzer and Buffalo products for over 40 years,” Cross said.
“This partnership has been extended further with Bitzer’s new Green Point initiative.”
Cross said there are always Bitzer compressors and spares in stock at Airefrig branches nationwide.
He said Airefrig stock Bitzer’s semi-reciprocating compressors up to 60HP, C02 compressors and HSN and HSK screw compressors to support both refrigeration and air conditioning customers.
“The stock is supported by engineering staff fully trained and qualified to quote and offer transcritical and subcritical C02 projects,” Cross said.
“The introduction of the Buffalo PS Evaporators with EVD-Ice in 2017 to the local market generated a lot of positive interest from customers. We have the factory fitted electronic TX valve option, readily available in the new year.”
Airefrig has also partnered with ebm-papst undertaking EC upgrade projects across Australia.
“We will continue to offer this service in 2018 ensuring the latest in EC fan technology is available to the local market,” Cross said.
“The industry is looking for high efficiency options to meet their customer’s expectations of cost reductions and energy efficiency.
“Airefrig is committed to sourcing these products to meet the needs of contractors and their customers.”
The Airefrig team of sales engineers will continue to focus on assisting with equipment selection especially customers working on new projects or refrigeration equipment upgrades.
Cross said the entire engineering team underwent intensive training with suppliers to get an in-depth understanding of the newest and best equipment available on the market.
“We are utilising the best engineering software and are on hand to assist customers that want to improve energy efficiency or need help with chiller and freezer heat loads or matching refrigerant selection with the right application,” he said.
“We also spent the better part of 2017 implementing new accounts and inventory software that is specific to the Airefrig business model.
“It was an intense process customising this software but the result is greater efficiency for customers.”
Cross said customers will also benefit from an upgrade to Airefrig’s online business services in 2018.
“The time critical components of sourcing stock and product information is a huge part of the HVACR industry and the goal is to offer customers not only the best customer service in person but to support that with professional online services,” he said.
Another major project for 2018 is preparing for the upcoming ARBS Exhibition to be held in May.
“Planning and preparation is well underway for the 2018 ARBS Exhibition. Customers will have the opportunity to see the latest and the best of what Airefrig is offering in 2018,” Cross said.
“As well as maintaining stock levels and providing the latest and greatest products, Airefrig prides itself on providing the best customer support in the marketplace.”