UK: Carter Synergy has been named Refrigeration Supplier of the Year for the second year running by the Co-operative Group.
Carter's winning line-up, above, (l to r): Jeff Stelling, Jim Haydock (Carter Synergy's Co-op account manager), Scott Kavanagh (business development manager), Martin Langford (sales & marketing director) and Jeff Guinea (KB Refrigeration's service department head)

The Birmingham-based air conditioning and refrigeration design, installation , service and maintenance provider were announced as the winners at the Co-operative Property Awards last month in Manchester. Other winners from the acr industry included Arctic Circle for Environmental Initiative and EPTA for Direct Supplier of the Year.

Over 600 people attended the event at Lancashire Cricket Club which was hosted by the 'Take Me Out' star Paddy McGuiness and 'Strictly Come Dancing' favourite Denise Van Outen. After dinner entertainment was provided by Jason Manford and actor Brian Blessed provided a repertoire of witty banter throughout the entire evening. Other celebrities included James Nesbitt, Matt Le Tissier, Jeff Stelling and BBC Football Focus presenter Dan Walker, who did a tremendous job drumming up support in the charity auction.

The event raised over £160,000 for the NSPCC.

Commenting on the evening itself, Martin Langford, Carter Synergy's sales & marketing director, said 'We are delighted to be associated with such a worthy cause and extremely proud to have topped the refrigeration tree for a second year in succession at such a prestigious event. Special thanks and praise needs to go to both our account and delivery teams for an unrivalled level of service once again.'
Commenting on the award, the Co-op said 'Carter Synergy offers the ultimate in value for the Co-operative. They offer cost effective, reliable, energy efficient equipment that is well installed and strategically maintained.'

Arctic Circle's Environmental Initiative award was made for its work with the Co-op to deliver energy savings and reduce the carbon footprint of the refrigeration systems over the entire estate. Arctic Circle Ltd was the first to introduce the ECA Scheme for refrigeration compressors and was the first company to have compressors listed by the Carbon Trust.

Part of the Epta Group, George Barker has supplied refrigerated display cabinets to the Co-op since 2004. In that time, they have successfully installed over 16,000 units in support of the Co-op's re-fit programme. EPTA won the Direst Supplier of the Year Award for meeting the challenge to design a completely new range of cabinets in conjunction with the latest energy saving technologies in short timescales for the new format-led Co-op stores.