Mike Nicholas, second from left, managing director of WR Refrigeration, is pictured receiving a Contractor of the Year award, with Patrick Mullins, center, WR business development and marketing director; Nick Kilner, left, of award sponsor Dean & Wood; Sky Sports presenter Olivia Godfrey; and England cricketer and celebrity Phil Tufnell, right.

The system has a design that optimizes performance and minimizes the defrosting needs of the air conditioning system when operating in heating mode. It is designed to be quick and easy to service, reducing time onsite for field engineers, developers said.

The project was jointly developed by WR Refrigeration in the United Kingdom and its customer Midlands Co-operative Society. It won the Refrigeration Product of the Year Award for 2012 in the National ACR Awards in England.

The technological development was just one of a number of honors accorded WR Refrigeration. It was also named Contractor of the Year in the National ACR Awards.

The company also developed a European Refrigeration Training Academy, which has resulted in the creation of what was described as the world’s first training facility with CO2, HC, HFO, and chilled-water technologies. For that, WR Refrigeration was highly commended in the training category at the National ACR Awards. The academy includes both an apprenticeship and training program.

Also, the company was recognized as Contractor of the Year for its business focus such as carrying out a root-and-branch review of its business, focusing on its values, management style, relationship with customers, how it manages and motivates staff, and its commercial focus and priorities.

Mike Nicholas, managing director, said, “I am delighted to receive the award on behalf of the hard-working, dedicated, and passionate WR Refrigeration teams. My aim has been to refocus the business and foster a dynamic culture that puts the customer at the center of everything we do.”

He added, “The process is ongoing. However, the first results are having a measurable impact on how we deliver for both staff and customers, and translating into solid business success.”

Patrick Mullins, business development and marketing director, said, “We aim to be a leader in the field of environmentally responsible, alternative refrigeration. Key to this is equipping our engineers with the theoretical and practical skills to handle all of the major options coming on stream.”

He added, “It will also help the wider industry and end users understand the potential of harnessing several refrigeration platforms together.”

Publication date: 1/21/2013