SUPERMARKET EQUIPMENT
challenging all aspects of established refrigeration principles. The breakthrough came in 2021 when we
were introduced to Ian Wood and his team at Adande Aircell. Ian demonstrated the company’s air flow management system, Aircell, and we were sold on the concept. For the last two years we have been working closely with the Adande Aircell engineering team in product development and the manufacture of prototypes. We now have a commercially available cabinet into which we install the Aircell composite shelf assemblies. The fact that both our companies are like minded, agile, progressive and located fairly close to each other in East Anglia has fostered a strong relationship and accelerated product development times.
What sets Aero apart from other multi-deck cabinets? We have introduced cutting edge technology, which is setting new standards in the refrigeration industry, but the adoption of Aircell was the real game changer. Aircell is a unique and patented air flow management system developed for open front refrigerated multi deck retail cabinets. Unlike conventional multi decks, Aircell segments the cabinet into a series of air flow managed cells with shorter air curtains. The smaller cells have a shorter air column and independent management of air movement, resulting in less pressure on the air curtain of each cell. This reduces cold air spillage, creating less duty on the refrigeration machinery to maintain holding temperature and significant energy savings. Crucially, Aircell does not require back panel flow to support the air curtain, so it does not over cool food at the rear of the cabinet.
What test data do you have for Aero? Regular and stringent testing has been fundamental to the development of Aero. Working with Adande Aircell’s engineering team, we have measured parameters to the industry test standard EN ISO23953, typically at their laboratory in Lowestoft.
Under test conditions, our integral 1250
mm Aero model with glass end walls and an operating temperature range of 3M1 (-1°C to 5°C at climate class 3, 25°C/60% RH), recorded energy consumption of 2,716 kWh/annum, giving it a ‘B’ rating under the commercial energy labelling regulations. This figure compares very favourably with
comparably sized conventional open front multi deck cabinets available on the market, most of which have an energy label rating of ‘E’ or ‘F’.
The tests also measured a narrow
temperature bandwidth of just 3°C. Tighter bandwidths and stable temperatures have been proven to maintain perishable merchandise at optimum quality and appearance for longer, reducing food waste.
What benefits does Aero offer the retailer? With the sustained hikes in electricity costs, energy consumption is becoming an increasingly important factor for retailers. As part of our regular benchmarking against other models, we recently compared our integral 1250 mm ‘B’ rated Aero model with a comparable cabinet widely available in the UK, which has an ‘F’ energy efficiency rating. Aero’s energy consumption of 2,716 kWh/annum was considerably less than the ‘F’ rated cabinet’s published usage of 8,702 kWh/annum. In terms of cost, the Aero cabinet’s electricity consumption is £1,113 per year compared to £3,567 per year for the ‘F’ rated model, based on a tariff of 41p per kWh. The comparison highlighted that Aero’s
temperature bandwidth is 2°C to 5°C compared to the -1°C to 7°C stated on the ‘F’ rated cabinet label. Accurate and stable holding temperatures help hold food at optimum quality and freshness over extended periods. This reduces the amount of merchandise which may be price discounted or thrown away due to deterioration in product quality or appearance. The ‘F’ rated cabinet’s temperature bandwidth has potential detrimental implications for food safety and quality. If the cabinet temperature is too warm, perishables will be subject to bacterial proliferation. If the display temperature is too cold, ice crystals will form on sensitive foods, compromising the eating experience for the customer.
What are the potential markets for Aero? Aero is not just a product, it is a complete range of chilled multi deck cabinets for perishable grocery retailing. The range includes integral and remote models. Aero is available in three lengths, four heights and two depths. Three-, four-, or five-tier fully adjustable shelving provides a large total display area with scope for versatile merchandising configurations. Cases are available in a range of RAL colours and may be supplied in custom liveries to meet house styles. As standard, Aero is supplied with the features you would expect of a premium product, including EC evaporator fans, off cycle defrost, electronic controller, lockable night blind, canopy LED lighting, vertical end wall lighting, perspex risers, POS price rails and a
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I believe that much of the industry has adopted a ‘sticking plaster’ approach to energy efficiency, doing just the bare minimum to address the biggest challenge our generation faces.
choice of glass or solid end walls. With such a broad choice of models, we have a solution for all food retailers from supermarkets, convenience stores, forecourts, food-to-go operators and service stations right through to air and rail transport hub outlets. In the immediate term, we see our flagship 1250 mm length integral cabinet as being popular for busy operations with a high footfall and a large volume of sales.
What feedback have you had regarding Aero and when will it be commercially available? Aero is in the marketplace now and has been since its recent launch at EuroShop, where it was well received by retailers and contractors from around the globe. We chose EuroShop for the launch as it is the world’s largest retail trade fair, attracting up to 90,000 visitors. Our goal is to make Aero an international success. Before its official launch, we had introduced Aero to many of our longstanding UK retail and trade customers, from whom we received extensive feedback and very positive comments.
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