Smoko with

Name: David West, Affil.AIRAH Company: West Refrigeration and West HVAC Occupation: Refrigeration Engineer/Managing Director – West Refrigeration and West HVAC What’s the best thing about working in HVAC&R? The opportunity it presents to make a meaningful difference in the progression to a more sustainable planet. Our Industry has a huge effect on the way we operate as a society. We have an opportunity to implement changes that make a very meaningful difference.

How long have you worked in the industry?

Since 1998.

What’s the biggest thing that has changed in HVAC&R since you started working in it? When I started my apprenticeship, safety didn’t seem like a topic of discussion. The focus on safety now is so much higher than it was. And technology, in both the complexity of the refrigeration systems and control systems, has advanced incredibly over the last 20 years.

Favourite tool: Laptop (sadly).

Best on-the-job advice you ever received:

Listen to your customer. It’s the only way you can understand what their needs are. What’s the happiest a client has been with your work? Various supermarket managers after I attended call-outs and resolved issues that were keeping them at the store after hours.

Dream car: Bugatti Divo.

Dream holiday: Snowboarding trip through Canada and USA.

Favourite smoko snack:

Salmon poke bowl.

What did you listen to on the way to work today? Hamish and Andy Podcast.

Sporting hero: Adam Goodes. When I’m not working I’m … Living a very full and adventurous life with my beautiful wife and four amazing children.

There’s a whole other world of HVAC&R to discover in Ecolibrium magazine.