Kevin Glass, managing director of Bitzer UK, presented the company’s founder Gerry McDonagh with a polished glass commemorative diamond, engraved with the Bitzer and RSL 50-year anniversary logo, and an inscription reading, “In recognition of our 50-year partnership.”

RSL has represented Bitzer in Ireland since 1967, when Gerry McDonagh established the company after leaving University. Since then, RSL Ireland has grown to become a leader in the wholesale supply of refrigeration, air conditioning and allied equipment, to the industrial and commercial sectors.

Since being established in Dublin, RSL has expanded significantly with branches in Galway, Cork and Belfast. Its UK sister company, Refrigeration Spares Ltd, which also distributes Bitzer products, was founded in 1946 and has depots in London, Exeter, Manchester, Coventry and Glasgow.

RSL Ireland maintains a year-round, multi-million Euro stock, providing customers with prompt availability, supported by in-depth technical and logistical support. As well as providing a five-and-a-half day trade counter service, all RSL Ireland branches offer free delivery, using the company’s own transport fleet.

Gerry McDonagh said: “One of the key’s to our success is that we only work with reliable, technically advanced manufacturers in the different industry sectors. In our 50 years of business we have established very close relationships with our selected suppliers. We are proud to have represented Bitzer for half a century since we first began trading. The company’s excellent and innovative technology, backed by our positive and productive partnership, has been one of the cornerstones of our success. We look forward to continuing to build on this in the coming years.”

Kevin Glass said: “Our 50-year partnership with RSL Ireland is one of the longest and most successful distributor-manufacturer relationships in the industry, and certainly one of the longest within the Bitzer organisation. We are delighted to join with industry colleagues and partners in celebrating RSL’s achievement, and toasting their continued success.”

The Dublin event marked the beginning of RSL Ireland’s 50-year-anniversary roadshow, which is touring key locations across Ireland over the coming days. Future events are taking place in Belfast, Galway and Cork.