RWTA New Member Alert: Welcome to MetecnoPIR Australia

MetecnoPIR is Australia's largest capacity manufacturer of high thermal performance PIR insulated panels. Their industry leading product range includes roof and wall panels, architectural panels and rigid insulation with 3 production facilities in Australia.

Operating in over 16 countries globally, Metecno is a pioneer in the field of high-performance insulated wall and roof panels, with a philosophy of designing and testing products specifically for the local markets in they operate.

MetecnoPIR products are independently certified by Codemark, in addition to the global standard Factory Mutual (FM). In their own NATA accredited laboratory and also in collaboration with leading universities, their team of engineers continuously work on product and sustainability innovations to benefit Australian construction both today and into the future.

Bondor_Metecno is a foundation member of the Insulated Panel Council of Australia (IPCA) and is also actively and formally involved in a number of relevant industry associations. They embrace the opportunity to support the important work of these groups and also contribute meaningfully to education and advocacy in the Standards space.

For more information, please call:

Duro Curlija, General Manager
Mobile: 0434 603 063
Email: duro.curlija@metecnopir.com.au

RWTA New Member Alert: Welcome to KNAPP Australia

We welcome KNAPP, a New RWTA Member!

KNAPP Australia develops and manufacture intelligent warehouse systems using the latest solutions in digitalization, software, automation and robotics.

Knapp was founded in the 1950’s and has since grown to become an international group in 62 locations throughout the world.

Their innovative technologies provide companies with efficient warehouse automation – all from a single source.

KNAPP Australia Pty Ltd Managing Director Michael Kemeny ensures that the customer service department holds stock locally, comprises of resident and field service technicians based in various major cities, and has a service desk comprising of various software capabilities to assist clients. Due to the growth in Australia, KNAPP is currently increasing its office footprint at the current location in Braeside, Victoria.

To learn more call

Adrian Boult
Operations Director
0421 229 838

Sydney Mushiny Tour 7th February - Book Now

New Member, Mushiny, Invites you to be their guest for a tour of their Tech Centre with complimentary beer and canapés served!

Mushiny Robotics in Sydney is a global leader in warehouse robotics with a focus on AMR based technology driven by leading edge AI algorithms and software.   

Their Tech Centre in Chatswood provides a hands-on experience of the latest in Mushiny inventions.

Canapés and drinks will be on offer at this informative networking event. 

What better way to launch the new year of 2024!

Who: Mushiny Robotics

When: 7th February 2024

Time: 4pm-6pm

Where: Unit 8, 372 Eastern Valley Way, Chatswood 
*Access via Smith Street, up ramp next to Bunnings

Cost: Complimentary

Summer energy strategies for Australian Cold Storage businesses

Summer is here, and with it comes hotter, drier weather due to the return of El Niño. These conditions have led to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) flagging an increased risk of electricity supply interruptions for some consumers, with potential for rolling blackouts.  

It could be a challenging summer ahead for cold storage facilities, with many searching for a sustainable solution to combat rising electricity costs. So, what can your business do to mitigate risk as the temperature rises? 

Click here to read how Flow Power can help your cold storage business keep cool and save this summer.

For more information, contact; Matthew Deegan – Solutions Development lead Email: hello@flowerpower.com.au 

RWTA New Member Alert: Welcome to Proofpoint

Proofpoint is a leading cybersecurity and compliance company that protects organisations’ greatest assets and biggest risks: their people. 

Welcome to our New Member!

With an integrated suite of cloud-based solutions, Proofpoint helps companies around the world stop targeted threats, safeguard their data, and make their users more resilient against cyber attacks. Browse their website here.

For more information, please contact Proofpoint on 02 8378 4250 or you can chat to someone now here. 

Volunteering at FareShare

Through a joint effort to rescue a considerable amount of meat recently, we spent yesterday volunteering at FareShare who cook nutritious and delicious meals from rescued and donated food to improve Australians facing hardship.

Thanks to Anita Russell for taking the time to make the day informative and make the best use of many willing hands! We would also like to thank RWTA Member, Eurocold Refrigerated Vehicles for the invitation to work with them to deliver some pretty special results.

Marianne interviewed Anita on the day.

Mushiny Networking Tour 7th February Sydney

New Member, Mushiny, Invites you to be their guest for a tour of their Tech Centre with complimentary beer and canapés served!

Mushiny Robotics in Sydney is a global leader in warehouse robotics with a focus on AMR based technology driven by leading edge AI algorithms and software.   

Their Tech Centre in Chatswood provides a hands-on experience of the latest in Mushiny inventions.

Canapés and drinks will be on offer at this informative networking event. 

What better way to launch the new year of 2024!

Who: Mushiny Robotics

When: 7th February 2024

Time: 4pm-6pm

Where: Mushiny Tech Centre - Unit 8, 372 Eastern Valley Way, Chatswood 

*Access via Smith Street, up ramp next to Bunnings

Cost: Complimentary

LinkedIn

Interview with Choice Energy

You would have seen recently the flyer introducing Choice Energy, New Members of the RWTA (view here).

It is our pleasure today to share Marianne's encounter with Alex Townsend, Partnerships Manager and Alan Gill, Executive Director of Choice Energy.

Swing into action: Join us for the Adelaide Golf Day

We are pleased to announce LINEAGE LOGISTICS as Platinum Sponsor of the RWTA Adelaide Golf Day being held on Monday 12th February 2024 at Kooyonga Golf Club!

This is a great opportunity to network with other professionals from the Cold Chain Industry. Enjoy a round of golf in a beautiful setting, and win some amazing prizes!

Dematic transforms John Dee’s beef supply chain for global success

RWTA Member, Dematic, have announced that John Dee, a family-owned Australian beef producer, has transformed its operations to enhance efficiency, productivity, accuracy, safety, and competitiveness to ensure its readiness for the evolving demands of global beef markets.

“We've been a beef processor in Warwick since 1945 and today we’ve transformed into a full-blown beef export and processing operation,” explains John Hart, Owner of John Dee, Warwick. “In the early days, we sold full sets of meat parts, whereas today we break them up and send different components to Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, the EU, and America.”

With growing demand, especially from international markets, John Dee faced a critical challenge. The company had outgrown its existing storage capacity, and manual operations were proving inadequate to meet the complexity and scale of their production.

“With the way we’re operating today, trying to get product into the right place at the right time, it was becoming almost impossible to do it by hand,” says Hart. “In our previous manual operation, people had to understand all the product codes and pick by hand out of a cold store. With over 10,000 cartons being produced a day, it became a logistical nightmare. A thousand cartons a year that would go out of date because they couldn't be located.”

Read article here

RWTA News: Interview with Smart Commercial Solar

Smart Commercial Solar’s Executive General Manager, Max Stenning speaks to RWTA about some exciting rebates available now in Victoria and ways that the cold chain in Australia can maximise solar opportunities while saving up to 40% on energy bills.

Like to know more? Click here to watch.

Award bestowed on long term Member of the RWTA, Stefan Jensen of Scantec!

Congratulations Stefan Jensen of Scantec!

The winners of the AIRAH Awards 2023 were announced at a glittering gala dinner held on Thursday, November 30 in Sydney and Stefan was awareded the prestigious James Harrison Medal. The James Harrison Medal is the highest honour AIRAH can bestow upon an individual. , it recognises the highest levels of individual achievement in the Australian refrigeration and air conditioning industry.

More than 250 members of Australia’s HVAC&R community gathered on AIRAH’s night of nights to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and companies within the sector.

The annual awards gala is one of the many ways AIRAH works to raise the profile of HVAC&R and shine a light on some behind-the-scenes heroes.

“The AIRAH Awards provide a platform to highlight the brilliant work our members do across a broad range of categories,” says AIRAH CEO Sami Zheng. “It’s an honour to help celebrate our industry’s leading projects, people and initiatives.”

 More about the James Harrison Award here

Coolclean, Efficiency for your site this Christmas season

Coming into the most hectic time of the year for the cold chain, one thing that you DO want are solutions to your problems.

Look no further.

You don’t have the time this summer to deal with cooling system failure or poor cooling performance.

HACCP certified, the hygiene cleaning service provided by Coolclean includes inspection, taking photos, and complete service reports for your cooling systems.  They will identify potential faults, fowling, poor airflow, poor water distribution, blockages, damaged or broken parts and poor access. They then report and plan around a solution when it suits YOU.  

Cooling systems include - Cooling towers – Fan coil units – Penthouse Units – Evaporators – Hybrid Adiabatic Units – Air Handling Units.

Cooling tower repair and rebuild service by FlowMatrix cooling towers.

Coolclean work flexible work hours to suit your business operation hours and offer Christmas and plant shutdown services.  

Click here to view the full list of services offered. For an obligation free quotation, call

Darren Driscoll
Director
Coolclean

21-21-22 National Drive
Hallam Vic 3803
Mob: 0408 855 435
darren@coolclean.com.au

NB: Initial site inspection required.   

RWTA New Member Alert: Welcome to Absolute Storage!

Absolute Storage have joined the RWTA!

A little about them;

They were established in 1991 and is a privately owned Australian and operated company. They are based in Melbourne, Victoria and operate nationwide.

Theirs is a full turnkey service for the design, specification and installation of storage systems such as pallet racking, shelving and automation.

Good news for the cold chain they have extensive freezer and temperature-controlled experience and can deliver on pallet Storage types such as selective pallet racking, double deep pallet racking, drive in pallet racking and cantilever racking.

They are a gold tier distributor for SSI Schaefer and have been since 2003, and they are one of the world’s largest and leading pallet racking manufacturers.

Absolute Storage can source and provide all racking manufactures material including Dexion and Colby.

Their Design and Installation of both semi and fully automated storage solutions includes:

• Ambient and temperature-controlled environments

• Semi-automated satellites and fully automated cranes

• End of production line automation such as conveyors, palletisers and wrappers

• Specific, “Freezer application” automation that has been designed and tested for below zero applications.

• Warehouse pallet racking audits, repairs and maintenance on ad-hoc or programmed scheduling.

• Full custom design of warehouse layout to maximise space and efficiency.

• Project Management team to oversee projects and installations.

Like to know more?

Call:
Scott Giles
Chief Executive Officer
Mb: 0419 796 670          
Ph: (61-3) 9799-2291 
www.absolutestorage.com.au

2024 Energy Market Outlook for Business ⏤ Choice Energy

We would like to introduce you to Choice Energy, new Member of the RWTA!

Choice Energy’s recent webinar provided a strategic roadmap for businesses to brace for 2024's electricity price peaks.

The session explains the connection between climate change, El Nino, and geopolitical shifts impacting energy markets.

Watch to gain actionable insights on optimizing rebates, tax breaks, and rectifying overcharging errors.

This webinar's focus encompasses crucial areas: unveiling emerging energy trends and technologies, leveraging solar solutions for cost reduction and sustainability, strategic positioning state-by-state, and insights into how major industries utilize tariffs and tax breaks to mitigate costs amidst market changes.

Find the recording of the webinar, click here.

For more insights, contact Choice Energy here.

Or

Alex Townsend
Mobile: 0435 080 646
Email: alex.townsend@choiceenergy.com.au
www.choiceenergy.com.au

Barpro: How to increase capacity in existing cold storage

Barpro is a long time Member of the RWTA and although they are based in South Africa, they have done work in the Australian Cold Chain. This article highlights how James Cunningham and his team are able to increase capacity in an existing cold storage facility. Read more below!

How to increase pallet capacity in an existing cold or freezer store:

As new cold stores become increasingly expensive to build, making better use of existing cold storage chambers should be attractive.

Barpro frequently installs mobile rails in new cold store floors together with fixed but “mobile friendly “racking system. 

This means that the racking has been designed to fit on mobile bases at a later date. In Barpro’s market, the standard freezer racking is fixed selective, unlike Australia where it is double deep.  

For instance, on one project in Namibia, a chicken abattoir had rails and fixed racking installed. 10 years later, the customer called for a second identical cold store to meet demand. As the abattoir staff had changed since the first project, there was no awareness of the original design. The payback on doubling capacity by simply installing mobile bases in the existing store was less than 6 months and took just three months to complete.

Mobile racking could also assist capacity-constrained Australian cold stores. The capacity gain over double deep racking is about 40% rather than 80 to 100% with fixed selective. Immediate accessibility to every pallet is a plus, and pallets are in full sight of the reach truck operator. An unscientific survey at one location in Australia suggests that put away /retrieving productivity in mobiles was 17% higher than for double deep.

Necessary steps to install mobiles in an existing Double Deep freezer:

1. Check floor for frost heave and make sure existing anti heave protection is working properly. Australian stores use sub floor pipes which are robust.  

2. Check with your civil engineer that the increased rail point loads can be spread using a reinforced overlay slab so as not to damage either the existing floor or the subfloor pipes. Overlay slabs are about 150 to 200mms in depth. Where possible, access ramps are installed on the outside of the store.    

3. Design the mobile racking.

4. Bring the cold store to ambient temperatures and remove existing racking.

5. Install the rails and support stools on the current floor, add reinforcing and pour...

6. Install the mobile bases, racking, additional lighting, labels, and new doors. If vertical rollup doors are already used, this should not be difficult. Bring the room to operating temperature…slowly.

Typical mobile initial design:

The project timeline will depend on the size of the store. The critical path is the time taken for overlay slabs to cure sufficiently. This is normally 28 days, and possibly longer if post tensioned. However, the racking can be installed during this period. On a 2000 pallet room the project should be completed in around 6/7 weeks from when the room is brought to ambient.

If you would like to investigate how suitable your existing freezers might be for retrofitting mobile racking, please get in touch with James Cunningham, Barpro Storage SA. 

Contact: james@barpro.co.za 

Raising frozen food temperature by 3°C can make global food chain more sustainable

New research from an international team of scientists has shown that raising the temperature of frozen food by just 3°C could safely reduce food loss and cut carbon emissions by 17.7 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

Published yesterday (Wednesday 29th Nov) in a new report called Three Degrees of Change, the research suggests that frozen food temperatures could be changed from -18°C to -15°C to save the equivalent carbon dioxide emissions of 3.8 million cars per year.

Interested? Read more here.

Vale Victor Lago

It is with sadness that the RWTA acknowledges the passing of one of the ardent supporters of our Association and the Australian Cold Chain, Victor Lago.

Thanks to Murray Charters for this excerpt from the Eulogy and for the permission to share from Walter Lago.

Virginio Lago was born in Italy in 1931, making him 92 years of age.

Victor, as he chose to be known in Australia, was the eldest of six boys.

He only attended school until the 4th grade to help his mother on the farm as his father was away getting work wherever he could find it. Victor was 8 years old when World War II broke out in Europe, and 14 by the time the allies conquered the axis powers, leaving Italy broken and defeated.

There was very little opportunity in Italy post war, and Victor would have been old enough to witness the pain and suffering of the Italian people. He stayed working on the farm, to provide sustenance for his family, until he was 19 years old. He then decided to emigrate to Australia, where his Australian based Uncle had financed his journey, giving Vic an opportunity for a better life.

Victor arrived in Australia in 1950 after three months at sea. He had a push bike and ten pounds in his pocket, five pounds of that he had earned by peeling potatoes every day on the ship.

What made his future success in business even more remarkable, was the fact that when he arrived in Australia, he could not read, write or speak English and had a Grade 4 Primary School level of education.

Vic worked on his uncle’s farm living in a tin shed for two years. After paying back his uncle the fare to Australia, he moved on.

He undertook all manner of work for many years and married his young Italian wife Emma, with whom he fathered three sons, Robert, Walter and Roger.

In 1979 Victor was building his first cold store at Hemmant in Brisbane. Vic, aided by his sons Robert and Walter, built up what was considered to be the most successful, cleanest and well run coldstore operation in Australia.

Vic loved his three sons, and supported them financially, no matter what circumstances they found themselves embroiled in.

Vic was of a generation that favoured tough love, and he expected his sons to put up, shut up and work as hard as he did. He was hard on everybody, and the standards he set for Robert and Walter were particularly high; Roger being the youngest was afforded more leniency.

Vic was never in a rush, but he never stopped. No matter what the task, he would work tirelessly, not until the job was done, but until the job was done properly. He would arrive very early in the mornings, dressed in his old work clothes and boots, and the ever-present terry towelling hat, driving his old ford ute. Victor worked seven days a week, sometimes fourteen hours a day and longer for many years at Lago Coldstores.

There came a time, due to circumstances beyond his control, that with a heavy heart, he handed over the running of Lago Coldstores to his three sons, content in the knowledge that it would be good hands for the future.

Victor had no intention of retiring. All his working life, as he made money, he reinvested it in other real estate projects growing and accumulating a legacy for his three sons, his eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

He continued to work well into his late eighties, and he readily acknowledged that he could not have done it without the enormous amount of assistance from his loving partner Jean Neilson.

Victor became very ill over the last few years and was cared for lovingly by Jean in their home. Eventually the only option was a full-time care facility.                             

The continuous love and care he was afforded by Jean, Robert and Walter on rotation over the years made sure he was comfortable, safe, fed, cared for and loved right up to the point they were forced to say goodbye is something we can all admire.

We can only hope we are all lucky enough to have loved ones like that, to look after and comfort us, at the end of our own life’s journey.

Rest in peace Victor, secure in the knowledge that you passed on from this life, with nothing left in your tank, having ably and faithfully fulfilled your destiny as Patriarch of your family.

New Member Alert!: Smart Commercial Solar

We would like to welcome Smart Commercial Solar, new Member of the RWTA!

Smart Commercial Solar is Australia's leading commercial energy solutions provider.
They are dedicated to helping businesses achieve energy independence through innovative renewable energy solutions, including commercial solar, battery storage, solar car shades and more.

Since 2012, they have worked with multiple RWTA Members over 40 more logistics brands to drive business improvements, save substantially on energy expenditure and drive down emissions.

We know that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to solar energy, which is why it’s their mission to understand your company’s unique needs, business goals and investment criteria to deliver the best outcome possible.

From analysis and feasibility through to construction and ongoing support, they're at your service to ensure your business gets the most from its solar investment.

Interested to know more?
Call Jon Vlatko, Chief Sales Officer

E: jon@smartcommercialsolar.com.au
T: +612 9057 9710 | Ext: 105
D: +612 9057 9715

The Adelaide RWTA Golf Day - 12th Feb 2024 at Kooyonga Golf Club

The Adelaide RWTA Golf Day will be on the Monday 12th February 2024 at Kooyonga Golf Club

This is a great opportunity to network with other professionals from the Cold Chain Industry. Enjoy a round of golf in a beautiful setting, and win some amazing prizes!