The Medway Division of Peel Ports, has let a £221,000 contract to Farnborough based Next Control Systems for the installation of refrigeration controls and energy management systems in three cool stores. Total project cost is around £280,000.
The move follows the successful completion by Next Controls of a similar installation in a 13,500 pallet capacity cool store on the Sheerness site.
That contract was worth £55,000 (within a total project cost of £80,000) and required that the installation be completed without the store being taken out of commission.
"On site, Next Controls integrated everything so there was no close down. It was a completely painless process", said Peel Ports Medway Division engineering manager, Bill Windsor. "The new system gives us very precise controls so the produce is better kept and big savings through door monitoring, reducing compressor run time and floating suction pressure control," he added.
Energy saving, plus reduced maintenance on compressors and their use of less oil, is delivering savings of around £60,000 a year.
"We would expect to deliver similar savings on most of the refrigerated stores in use in the country," said Next Control's managing director, Tim Bartholomew.
Peel Ports was advised by Stuart Oborne, managing director of Cool Advice Services. With members of the Ports team, he spent several months reviewing installed systems around the country before producing a short list of three suppliers.
"Next Controls wasn't the cheapest but its proposal was selected because the quality of its graphics clearly demonstrated the scope and simplicity of the planned installation and showed how user friendly the system really is," said Mr. Oborne.
Forecast savings are £110,000 a year.
Tel. 01252 406398
Fax. 01252 406401. www.nextcontrols.com