Page 16 - Climate Control News Magazine December-January 2022

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Great results begin with customer collaboration
LOGISTICS LEADER AT Bega Dairy & Drinks, Adam Wade, presented a real world case study at CCN Live on how the manufacturer overcame its cold chain problems which began in 2015.
Wade said it was a massive task that has taken years of research and testing but definitely worth- while as the results exceeded expectations.
This is no small operation either given Bega is home to iconic brands such as Dairy Farmers and Yoplait and the company sends 2,000 loads per week around the country.
“CONTINUOUS AIRFLOW MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE.”
“These loads are travelling in temperatures that can be in excess of 50 degrees Celsius and humidity in excess of 90%,” Wade said.
“From milk to juice we wanted to extend the shelf life of our products and add value.”
It was customers that first notified Bega that loads were not meeting the company’s internal compliance standards.
“This is what gave us the impetus to fix the problem,” Wade said.
“We addressed four key areas. It began with collaboration with customers.
“Then we got 800 temperature loggers and put them on trailers for three months.”
Wade said this data provided some interest- ing insights.
“We then immersed ourselves in the trucking industry which even included attending a truck show in Brisbane,” he said pointing out that they also spoke to refrigeration experts.
“This opened new areas of research which led to even more intensive testing.”
Wade said they learnt a lot at the truck show including a new standard AS4892.
Wade said four trucks travelling from Victoria to Queensland were equipped with loggers.
“We had the driver change settings halfway, we jumped on a plane and flew over them and met them at the other end to download the data,” he said.
“This made us reassess how we wrap and stack.”
In the first three months when testing was carried out with 800 loggers, Wade said they re- alised how much one degree can impact how a product arrives.
“Keeping product in-temperature is critical. The data showed us that temperatures inside a trailer can vary significantly,” he said.
“Continuous airflow makes a huge differ- ence. We realised return air temperature is not a true indicator. And product characteristics have an impact.”
Wade said there are so many factors to consid- er from the thermal life of a trailer to packaging.
“Packaging and wrap are important whether its perforated or sealed. We now had the infor- mation to put policy in place,” he said.
Over time these policies have been defined.
Bega now undertakes its own independent monitoring, front and back of trailer.
Wade said trailers must have a minimum thermal efficiency value. And roof chutes.
He said over 400 bits of kit were made to “our specification” for rail and vehicles.
The end result has been an 85 per cent drop in delivery issues related to temperature, and an 85 per cent drop in delivery complaints.
“This was considerable work across a lot of stakeholders but don’t be deterred, be inspired because the results far exceeded initial expecta- tions,” Wade said.
LEFT: Bega sends out over 2,000 loads per week across the country.
BELOW: One of the many iconic Bega brands.
Academy for natural refrigerant training
CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU
Beijer Ref in Sydney’s west.
THE BEIJER REF Training Academy in Sydney, Austral- ia, officially opens in December, 2021.
It will provide technicians with training in natural re- frigerant technology.
Speaking at CCN Live, Kirby brand & communica- tions manager, Elizabeth Paparo, provided an update on the Kirby Apprentice Fund.
The fund supports Australian apprentices, recognising the need to address the local skills shortage.
“The fund is a way to invest in our future and give back to industry,” she said.
The fund has awarded 11 training scholarships to third and fourth year apprentices to help build CO2 knowledge and competency.
Paparo said more scholarships will be offered in 2022. ✺
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