It was two years ago that we first mentioned in these pages how the increasing demand for raw materials was fuelling costs for equipment manufacturers. At that time, the price of copper had reached $1.38/lb from a low in 1998 of just 60cents/lb. Even then, those escalating prices, along with those of steel and other raw materials looked set to signal a round of equipment price increases. Amazingly, thanks to increases in production efficiencies and a further chipping away at manufacturers’ already tight margins, equipment prices remained relatively stable. 

Optimised to take advantage of sub-cooling via vapour injection, Copeland Scroll compressors offer a capacity increase of up to 40% compared to a standard ZF scroll. Robert Kebby, Copeland’s sales director for the UK and Ireland, reviews two studies where this technology has produced energy savings in low-temperature supermarket applications 

A round-up of supermarket news and gossip 

With energy costs spiralling out of control it is worth revisiting the Versatemp system says Clivet UK md Lance Joy 

Fridge companies collaborate to design the ultimate energy saving supermarket system 

A round-up of supermarket news and gossip 

I HAVE in the past been accused of being a little cynical – quite unfairly I feel – but then those claims are only ever levelled at me by tedious optimists. Anyway, I don’t think it’s wrong to not necessarily believe every company which tells me about its exemplary customer service. After all, what are voice mails other than a means by which you never have to speak to a client again? And what are automated switchboards other than a means to save employing a telephonist? None of these electronic wonders actually have anything to do with customer service, despite the fact that many companies who have them like to argue otherwise. 

FEW observers would disagree with the fact that there is a shortage of talented, young engineers entering the air conditioning and refrigeration industry. Despite a diminishing pool of qualified engineers, some companies are reluctant to run apprenticeship schemes, fearing failure. They instead rely on high wages to attract those available in the employment market. 

An employer has an obligation to provide suitable protective equipment for employees and, following a recent House of Lords ruling, need only consider the risk for which the equipment was provided to protect against and whether the equipment was sufficient for that purpose. Richard Booth, a legal advisor at international law firm Eversheds, discusses the ruling and employers’ obligations 

MITSUBISHI Electric has now achieved independent accreditation for 39 of its courses, seminars and pieces of literature from the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Service. 

David Bell, md of Estimation (right), explains how a combination of the right software and mobile technologies can bring efficiencies to service and maintenance work 

WHEN something goes wrong with the building services the usual course of action is to call in a service/contracting company with the necessary resources to fix the problem. If the equipment manufacturer or installer provides such a service under a warranty or service agreement, then this may be a satisfactory solution. The question that has to be raised in this scenario is how cost effective is it to have separate service agreements for each component within the building? Also, in older buildings tracing the OEM or installer can be a problem. The route that a number of companies are now taking is to appoint a specialist maintenance company. 

We’ve said it before but how long will it be before China is no longer the home of cheap manufacturing? According to Business Week magazine, labour shortages in the land that once propelled human reproduction into the Guinness Book of Records are propelling wages to even greater heights. In some industries, wages are reported to have risen by 40% or more last year and staff are becoming more mobile and more choosy. 

With compulsory registration on its way, it’s time to look at what schemes are currently available and what’s to come 

HFCs join the fray as CO2 takes a bow at MAC summit 

A round-up of supermarket news and gossip 

A round-up of supermarket news and gossip 

WE ARE definitely our own worst critics in this country. Listening to environmentalists, for instance, you could easily get the impression that we are the main “dirty men” of Europe, if not the world. In contrast, countries like Denmark, particularly because of their stance in banning HFCs, are held up as paragons of virtue in “green” terms.