Demand for commercial refrigeration equipment in the United States is forecast to increase 3.1 percent per year through 2018 to $10.7 billion, according to a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.
Service technicians who work on commercial refrigeration equipment should be aware that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued what it calls the final rule on the “Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigeration Equipment.”
Tecumseh Products Co. has expanded operations at its facility in Verona, Miss. Tecumseh manufactures refrigeration and air conditioning products and expanded production of the AE2 commercial refrigeration compressor to better serve the North American market.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published what it described as “The Final Draft Version 3.0” which deals with product specifications for Energy Star-qualified commercial refrigerators and freezers. The standards will take effect Oct. 1, 2014.
Here’s a sobering thought for you: The average age of a refrigeration service technician that works on supermarket equipment is greater than 55. That’s according to Terry Roberts, president of Merchandising by Design. Her question was, “Who’s going to maintain these stores” after these ‘seniors’ leave the industry?
Rheem announced that it has acquired Heat Transfer Products Group (HTPG), Scottsboro, Ala., from Monomoy Capital Partners. Rheem is a manufacturer of heating, cooling, water heating, and pool/spa heating products. HTPG is a manufacturer of commercial refrigeration equipment for the foodservice, food retail, and other markets.
Hussmann has announced the launch of new websites for Hussmann, Hussmann Mobile, and Krack Corp. According to a statement from the companies, the new websites help enable excellence in food retailing by providing comprehensive information tools for retailers and other customers.
On behalf of Scotsman Ice Systems, Scotsman Industries has donated $10,000 to support A Legacy for Learning Corp.’s scholarship program, which provides tuition for unemployed and underemployed military veterans to enroll in a fast-track basic technician training program in commercial foodservice equipment repair.
The photograph with this column was taken from the balcony of a supermarket in the Baltimore area during a tour of several stores at the Food Marketing Institute Energy and Store Development Conference. Notice the massive amount of floor space and products on display.
The Viessmann Group has acquired the Finland-based commercial refrigeration company Norpe Group. Viessmann, a German manufacturer of heating, cooling, and climate control technology, announced the acquisition in Helsinki.