Page 32 - Climate Control News Dec-Jan 21

Wholesalers Feature
LEFT: Aerial view of the Bankstown Airport site.
BELOW: Artist’s impression of the Beijer Ref Support Centre
Support centre a global showpiece
AS BEIJER REF continues to expand its pres- ence in Australia, the company is set to transfer operations to a new Support Centre at Banks- town Airport, NSW.
The development will be one of Beijer Ref AB’s global showpieces, acting as the corporate head- quarters for its Australian businesses; Beijer Ref Aus- tralia, Kirby, SCM REF Australia and ACD Trade.
Kirby sales and marketing manager, Brett Hedge, said the move enables a consolidation across many business functions that will achieve greater operational efficiencies and an enhanced service offering for customers.
Due for completion December 2020, the facili- ty will include the SCM REF Australia manufac- turing plant, national distribution centre servic- ing the 90 branches for Beijer Ref Australia, Kirby and ACD Trade, along with a Gas2Go refrigerant decanting plant and testing laboratory.
“Across our network, we have a consolidated business that can supply every component of
HVACR that customers have a need for,” he said. As a key part of the Beijer Ref sustainability strategy, a Beijer Ref Academy will showcase an array of natural refrigerant solutions and offer CO2 systems training opportunities to industry
technicians and installers.
The site will also cater for customer events
and will feature a customer showroom, show- casing leading products and technology distrib- uted throughout the network.
The company notes one of the main advantag- es it offers its customers is its longstanding and proven OEM Patton and Kirby equipment ranges.
“Customers are able to purchase direct from the manufacturer and be supported locally by ex- perienced technicians who can assist with prod- uct specification and field support,” Hedge said.
In 2020, Beijer Ref Australia added the distribu- tion of Bitzer compressors and parts to its range, and also expanded distribution of the Gas2Go portfolio beyond Kirby to Beijer Ref Australia.
“We continue to work closely with our global supply partners to bring viable low-GWP alter- natives to market,” Hedge said.
“With the HFC phase-down already in its third year, we encourage customers to under- stand the options and performance characteris- tics of these low-GWP alternatives and begin the transition. We have resources on hand to help make this step change.”
Keeping pace with technology, the Kirby busi- ness has also recently undertaken an ERP up- grade that has provided some additional en- hancements in the functionality of the Smart Access portal and the Kirby Gas2Go App.
"The most exciting new feature for customers using Smart Access is the visibility of order sta- tus regardless of how the order was placed. As we continue to implement enhancements here and across our entire business, our focus re- mains on fulfilling the service expectations of our customers.”
Beijer Ref strengthens manufacturing
BEIJER REF IN Australia has announced the forma- tion of SCM REF Australia, a Sydney based OEM to ser- vice the Australian refrigera- tion industry.
Beijer Ref AB is the world’s largest global refrigeration wholesaler. Sustainability is a key strategy and driving the development of environmentally friendly and natural refrigerants technology is a
primary focus.
ABOVE: Inderpal Saund will lead the sales team.
Wayne Ferguson, managing director for Beijer Ref in Australia said this investment is a signifi- cant injection into the Australian refrigeration industry, allowing the company to strengthen its manufacturing capability, including its natu- ral refrigerants offering to local customers.
An experienced sales team led by Inderpal Saund and supported in the field by Douglas Herkess, Jason Pearce and Andrew Galliano will continue to build on the natural refrigerant system successes already achieved within the local retail sector and apply an increased focus on the broader commercial and industrial refrigeration markets.
“The business remains committed to local- ly manufactured customised solutions, with
SCM REF Australia able to assist customers to meet their unique project requirements,” Ferguson said.
“Continuity of the Kirby and Patton equip- ment brands will remain, as will the breadth of compressor selections. Our customers will con- tinue to receive best in class, precision equip- ment, designed and manufactured by our highly skilled engineers and production technicians.”
The SCM REF Australia manufacturing op- erations will be located at the new Australian Beijer Ref headquarters at Bankstown Airport, Sydney and be headed by director of opera- tions, Paul Campbell. The facility will be opera- tional Q1, 2021. ✺
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