Page 12 - Climate Control News Oct 2021

News
Refrigeration
equipment
seized
A JOINT OPERATION by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) and Australian Border Force (ABF) has led to the seizure of over $200,000 worth of refrig- eration equipment imported without a licence.
ABF officers seized 100 packages in Mel- bourne in May 2021 after a tip-off that the Victo- rian-based importer did not have the required licence under the Ozone Protection and Synthet- ic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.
The equipment was imported with certifi- cates stating that refrigerant gas controlled un- der Section 13 of the Act had been removed from the equipment, allowing the items to be imported without a licence.
DAWE compliance officers in conjunction with ABF officers inspected the equipment and found that a significant portion still contained controlled hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant gases.
In a statement, the federal government said it takes attempts to evade the import licensing requirements of the ozone protection laws very seriously.
“Importers are reminded to ensure they have the correct import licences in place before at- tempting to bring these items into the country. Without the correct licenses it can be a costly mistake for importers,” the statement said.
Import licensing requirements are in place under Australia’s laws to protect the ozone lay- er and climate systems.
In October 2020, a company was issued the largest ever fine by DAWE under Australia’s strict ozone protection laws, with a company ordered to pay a civil penalty of $500,000 for contravention of Section 13(1) of the Act.
Contravention of Section 13 of the Act can re- sult in civil penalties of up to $2.22 million.
Border Force officers responded to a tip-off.
Specialist industrial team
DEMONSTRATING ITS INCREASED focus within the industrial refrigeration sector, Beijer Ref Australia has announced a specialised indus- trial sales team to service the Australian market.
The continued industrial sector development follows the June 2021 acquisition of the Industri- al Refrigeration Components (IRC) business and an exclusive distribution agreement for LU-VE products in Australia.
The Beijer Ref Australia Industrial sales team in- cludes national product manager, Andrew Galli- ano, as well as Martin Kruse, Barry Brown, Laurie Parisi and SCM REF Australia’s Inderpal Saund.
SCM REF Australia will work together with the Beijer Ref Australia Industrial team to ex- pand its natural refrigerants portfolio to include ammonia racks.
Galliano said there is extensive experience be- hind this specialised team.
ABOVE: L to R: Martin Kruse, Barry Brown, Laurie Parisi, Andrew Galliano.
“Customers already know they can rely on us to provide them with the right technical support throughout their project stages. This investment to grow our industrial range further means cus- tomers now have a trusted one-stop-industrial- shop within Beijer Ref Australia,” he said.
Director of the former Industrial Refrigeration Components (IRC), Barry Brown is also part of the new industrial team.
“The basis for success has always been reliable customer service, support and supply. I’m happy that this will continue,” Brown said.
Former IRC employee Martin Kruse returns in the role of business development manager - in- dustrial, bringing over 35 years’ experience in in- dustrial refrigeration to the team. ✺
ARMCOR DEAL
To further diversify its portfolio in Australia, Beijer Ref
has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the climate and ventilation solutions company, Armcor.
The acquisition allows Beijer Ref to expand its offer and provide a complete suite of HVAC equipment.
It also provides the Beijer Ref organization with new competencies as well as access to a segment they have not previously been present in.
Armcor specialises in energy efficient fresh air solutions and energy-recovery systems.
The company consists of 37 employees and has a good profitability with annual sales of approximately $US12.2 million.
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