News 7


Safeway merges with Albertsons


AMERICAN supermarket chains Safeway and Albertons are to merge under Albertsons’ parent company Cerberus. Under the agreement, Albertsons’ chief executive, Bob Miller, will become chairman, while Safeway chief executive Robert Edwards will be chief executive of the new company.


Believed to be worth more than $9bn, the merger will create a new company with a diversified network of more than 2,400 branches, 27 distribution facilities and over 250,000 staff. No store closures are expected as a result of the merger.


Bob Miller said: “This transaction offers us the opportunity to better serve


customers by adapting more quickly to evolving shopping preferences in diverse regions across the country. “It also brings together two great organisations with talented management teams.”


Robert Edwards, added: “Safeway has been focused on better meeting shoppers’ diverse needs through local, relevant assortment, an improved price/value proposition and a great shopping experience that has driven improved sales trends. We are excited about continuing this momentum as a combined organisation.”


The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.


Airedale acquires Barkell


IN ITS February 2014 statement to the New York Stock Exchange, Airedale International’s parent company, Modine Manufacturing Company, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Consett-based manufacturer of custom-built air handling units, Barkell Ltd. The acquisition allows Airedale to extend its product portfolio to include a range of air handling units which offer data centres, offices and industrial facilities a highly energy-efficient cooling system. Work is already underway, with production launch of the new AireFlow range set for this Spring. Barkell, which has been based in the North East of England since 1981, has established a reputation for high quality products and services which has seen it acquire leading market share within this segment in the UK. “Acquiring Barkell helps us expand both our product line and our sales channel in


L-R: Matt McBurney with Barry Phillips, Barkell co-founder and director.


the UK,” said Matt McBurney, Modine’s vice president, commercial products group. “In addition, this acquisition will help us build on Modine’s success in the growing data centre air conditioning market by providing


innovative solutions, including adiabatic cooling.” “Everyone at Modine is excited about the opportunities Barkell and Airedale can bring to each other,” said Clive Parkman, Airedale managing director. “We have been working together for a number of years and are pleased we have moved forward with this next step.”


Visit ACR News online at www.acr-news.com ACR News April 2014 BOC


In 2011, Lee Grant and team completed a 1000km cycle ride from the Hook of Holland to the Austrian Alps.


COLD CONTROL’s HR manager Lee Grant, along with four friends are set to cycle 1300km, from Alresford in Hampshire to Norrteljia in Sweden, to raise £10,000 to share between three charities: Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, R4FT and CRY.


The team’s challenge begins on 4 April.


Sponsoring the Cycle 2 Sweden team are Cold Control, Daikin, AKS Air Conditioning and FSW,


along with a number of other companies from outside the air conditioning and refrigeration sector.


Mr Grant said: “We are taking this challenge very seriously as we want to raise as much as possible for these charities. I don’t want to let down my sponsors.


“This support means not only that the challenge can go ahead, but that all personal donations will go directly to the charities.”


Cool support for cycle ride


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