Hultsteins makes key appointment to support sustainable refrigeration in the UK

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In line with its long-term growth strategy, Swedish and UK sustainable refrigeration systems manufacturer, Hultsteins has appointed Graham Usher as Managing Director for the UK and Ireland.

With over 30 years’ experience in the CV industry, Usher has been working with Hultsteins over the last 18 months to prepare for the wide-scale introduction of its hydraulic refrigeration systems and hybrid generators.

“Hultsteins systems are widely used throughout Northern Europe and have been for the last 5 decades,” says Graham. “Literally thousands of trucks and drawbar trailers in the Nordic countries are using Hultsteins’ cost-saving TRUs as an alternative to conventional diesel refrigeration and so it makes perfect sense to make the technology available for operators in the UK and Ireland too.”

Graham goes on to explain the simplicity of the Hultsteins ‘diesel-free’ system and points to the reasons why it proves to be the default choice for so many businesses in the cold chain. “Hydraulic drive TRUs use an engine PTO-driven hydraulic pump to harness the energy from the truck engine and use it to drive the compressor of the fridge directly. It’s the most efficient method of using the energy because, unlike other systems, there is no need to convert it to electricity in order to drive the compressor.”

This, Graham further explains, delivers the power to ensure 100% cooling capacity – even at idle speed – and applies to single or multi-temperature configurations to suit rigid trucks or drawbar trailers.

“Not only do these systems reduce carbon by around 90%, with DPM & NOx emissions being slashed by over 95%, but also they use around 90% less fuel compared to a conventional TRU – key attributes which are driving strong demand for the system.

For operators who are not yet ready to move away from diesel-powered TRUs, Graham points to Hultsteins’ Ecogen – an electric-hydraulic drive system which works in tandem with the existing diesel fridge and uses an engine PTO to generate a constant 400v at idle speed. “An onboard electric generator which effectively transforms the existing diesel TRU into an electric fridge, thereby making huge fuel savings, cutting emissions and reducing noise.”

Ecogen runs any marque of diesel fridge and fits to any rigid or tractor unit, providing a PTO is present on the truck engine – a provision which Hultsteins recommend to anyone specifying a new tractor so that they can fit a generator ahead of the HMRC withdrawal of the current rebate on red diesel, due in April next year.

To support Hultsteins’ equipment in the UK and Ireland, the company has appointed Longhurst Refrigeration as its main back-up for parts and service. In Scotland, Transcool will provide a similar service while Fleet Maintenance and Mulvey Refrigeration will look after customers in Northern Ireland and Ireland respectively.

Commenting from Hultsteins in Sweden, Director Börje Axelsson is upbeat about the new appointment. “We are delighted to have someone of Graham’s calibre and experience to spearhead our strategic growth plans for the UK and Ireland. His industry knowledge and technical know-how will go a long way to matching Hultsteins sustainable refrigeration solutions to operator needs throughout the cold chain sector.”

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