• Refrigeration Readers Respond to Roundtable Rumblings

    Oct. 10, 2013
    Refrigeration professionals respond to the article on the time needed to properly install and troubleshoot a new refrigeration system.

    Our August “Refrigeration Roundtable” article — “Give Me Just a Little More Time” (bit.ly/Givemetime)— which focused on the need for more time for methodical troubleshooting in supermarket systems — prompted some thoughtful commentary from readers:

    GCs More in Command.“In reading the article, it’s fairly clear from the comments that working in privity with the owners is leaving us. Walmart now also has a GC controlling the flows. It used to be the refrigeration contractor was on site when the plumbing is laid out, the slabs’ thermo break areas for walk ins prepared and the concrete poured. We would then be there to ensure our lineset installation would not be impinged by the other trades’ work, making sure the GC was not the tail wagging the dog.

    “Frustration with chains and the procedures they may implement is part of the game now. Ops and merchandisers and the stock market control everything, and they actually do not understand what delays do to the proper set up of the refrigerated fixtures.

    “We are in business to make money, yes, but we all have a larger stake in what we do for a living. Our brand and what we do as a contractor is important to us all, and we need to push together to help the customers understand our needs.” — Joseph Kokinda president/CEO, Professional HVACR Services, Inc., Avon Lake, OH.

    Unrealistic Food Displays.“I’ve been in the industry for 47 years working as a contractor, project manager, installer, and service tech. Along with a realistic schedule, the customer needs to rein in the merchandisers that expect the equipment to perform no matter how they display the product.” —Norm Tyche, R & D lab manager, Iowa City, IA.

    Realistic Schedules and a Competent Team.“I’ve been in the industry for almost 40 years, and this issue about having enough time to balance new systems and repair problems that arise after a start up has been around forever. The solution, I think, is a realistic schedule, one that’s put together by the end user, GC, and contractors doing the actual work.

    “There are always issues that arise on any project but if you have a good GC, competent trades contractors , and a schedule that is realistic, the end user will be very satisfied.

    “The worst projects are those that are ‘set in stone’ and put together by just the financial officers of any company.”  —Gary Kendrick, president, Professional Refrigeration & A/C.