A first-of-its-kind large-scale industrial refrigeration chamber to test the operational performance of critical national Defence technology and equipment in extreme temperatures has been launched in Adelaide.
The Defence Testing Facility, which will test Collins Class submarines and Hunter Class frigates, has been established by Cold Logic as part of its new purpose-built South Australian headquarters at Wingfield.
The facility will test sensitive, high-tech equipment (such as naval-based warfare electronics, troop shelters and vehicles) to wild temperature fluctuations from -33 to up to +50 degrees Celsius simulating real-world scenarios.
Cold Logic managing director, Eddie Lane, said Defence is a burgeoning growth sector for the business.
“We are proud to be able to support the nation’s sovereign capability through our new state-of-the-art Defence Testing Facility which represents an exciting new phase in our company’s growth,” Lane said.
“Nowhere else in the country can you test the operational running performance of critical Defence equipment in the very harshest of conditions - from minus 33 degrees, which you might find in the Artic to the scorching heat associated with combat deserts.
“We expect to see electronic equipment for land, naval and air applications, that need to perform in places such as the Middle East or Antarctica and even in space, being put through their paces right here at Wingfield.”
The opening of the facility coincides with the company’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
Late last year, Cold Logic was awarded a multi-million-dollar contract with BAE Systems Maritime Australia to construct and install cold and cool rooms for the first batch of three Hunter class frigates, in partnership with UK company Ernest and West and Beynon.
Since its establishment in 1984, Cold Logic has grown from four staff in South Australia to a team of more than 100 employees right across the country – 20 of whom are apprentices.
The company designs and manufactures refrigeration equipment and services every major processor of poultry, beef, lamb and pork in that state.
Over 40 years, they have helped chill 2.4 billion litres of beer and over 1.1 billion cases of wine.
“We are immensely proud of our role as strategic partners for our clients – their success is our success and we take that personally,” Lane said.
“The last two years has seen rapid growth for the company, and we are currently in the midst of the largest recruitment drive in our history.”