Environmentally chilled EPTA Group

ENVIRONMENTALLY CHILLED

The EPTA Group is a global leader in the design and manufacture of commercial refrigeration units and systems. The company is a widely respected partner for the world’s largest food retailers. Philip Yorke looks at how EPTA is leading the field in the development of new technology and the drive towards more environmentally friendly refrigeration systems.

EPTA is a multinational group that specialises in commercial refrigeration with a worldwide presence and well established brands such as Costan Bonnet Neve, George Barket, Eurocryor, Misa and Iarp. The company is a unique partner for the realisation of structured, turnkey projects on a global scale, based upon the integration of specific product lines. These can range from traditional refrigerating cabinets, positive-temperature vertical and semi-vertical counters, plug-in cases and medium and high capacity refrigeration systems and cold rooms. At Euroshop 2014 the company presented a new innovative concept, ‘Eptology’, which sums up its corporate calling for the promotion of sustainable devel-

opment and leverages its four major business platforms: Experience, Efficiency, Excellence and Evolution.

Based in Milan, the company employs over 4000 people who are in turn supported by a worldwide network of sales agents and dedicated distributors. In 2013 the company recorded sales of more than €670 million.

Custom-built efficiency

The EPTA Group’s core business is the production of complete turnkey systems for commercial refrigeration. Thus it provides a vast range of solutions for the preservation and display of fresh and frozen food products. These systems are specially designed for retailers who prefer to rely on a single competent partner for the production of structured turnkey systems on a global scale.

Technological innovation has always been a priority at EPTA, which for many years has been focused on energy conservation and the environmental advantages of the use of F-Gas compliant natural refrigerants. In addition, the group ensures the highest degree of custom-built efficiency so that each product stands out from the crowd wherever it is installed, with optimal functionality.

Alongside its commitment to the environment, the company’s extensive R&D department is also focused on the all-important issue of food safety and hygiene. To enhance its manufacturing processes, the company also offers a special anti-bacterial treatment for the traditional refrigeration units that use silver ions. With this solution, the materials inside the unit are treated during the extrusion and coating process, while internal parts are coated with a special paint that exploits the properties of silver ions. In another move towards increased efficiency EPTA has introduced a remote monitoring service, which allows its customers to guarantee cold chain consistency in stores and ensures significantly reduced energy consumption.

Sound green energy

In its drive for greener energy and greater efficiency, EPTA has also introduced a new strategy for growth: ‘Sound Green Energy’. This includes a unique, plug-in unit that is designed to reduce energy consumption to a minimum, based upon the use of a 100 per cent natural refrigerant. In fact the latest built-in counters with top covers are marketed under the famous ‘Constan’ brand, which uses propane, a gas that replaces the traditional HFCs, thereby guaranteeing more efficient performance and providing a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions. This can amount to more than 1kg per day for the same refrigeration capacity. Having been fitted with a new inverter, it is now possible to save in the region

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DDL Stampaggio was established in 2010. The founder’s partners all operate in the areas of planning and equipment manufacture. This is in order to coordinate and create group synergies to better meet the needs of clients.

It operates in the sector of die construction and cold plate stamping, using an office for planning, toolmakers for the construction of dies and different departments for stamping.

The society’s structure is adequately covered in all of its main functions: • management • sales • financial • planning • buyers • quality insurance

The company’s quality system is certified to the VISION 2000 standard according to the criteria required by the automotive sector. Besides this, the production processes of all its departments are certified according to the ISO 9001-2000 standard for quality.

D.D.L. Stampaggio S.r.l. Via Casnedi, 78–23868–Valmadrera (LC) E-mail: acquisti@ddlstampaggio.it www.ddlstampaggio.it

of 25 per cent of energy when compared to other counters in the same category.

This is also a ‘green’ solution as far as the cabinet structure is concerned as it now uses foam with carbon dioxide as the expanding agent, which is not flammable and is completely natural, unlike the traditionally used foam based products used by others. EPTA’s ‘Sound Green Energy’ products are ideal for displaying and promoting packed ice cream as well as frozen, fresh and pre-packed products of all kinds.

New cold service

In July 2014 EPTA announced another strategic move when it acquired the leading UK-based ‘Cold Service Group Limited’. This company specialises in the design, installation and maintenance of turnkey refrigeration and air-conditioning systems in the UK. This is a significant strategic transaction for the group, which perfectly positions the company as a national service provider, in line with the retail industry’s demand for even greater national coverage. A well- established business with strong local roots, Cold Service is comprised of four key divisions: Commercial, Local, Central and Distribution. Its extensive UK customer base includes such flagship retailers as Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Morrisons, Pret-a-Manger and Greggs.

EPTA’s chairman and managing director said, “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Cold Service. This agreement expands our portfolio and aims to optimise the resources used, in the frame of an expansion plan that will integrate the skills and technological know-how of our two companies.”

The EPTA Group is well positioned for future growth. One of the biggest events to affect the food retail industry in recent years has been the French government’s legislation that all food retailers will have to display cold foods such as meat and cheese behind glass door units by the year 2012. This arrangement is in contrast to the open chilled cabinets that are currently utilised. With EPTA able to design and supply these units, it is in a strong position to take advantage of the new green EU initiative. n

For further details of the EPTA Group’s innovative refrigeration products and services visit: www.eptarefrigeration.com