REFRIGERATION
Young engineers, fresh thinking
Stefano Ghidella, Global Business Development Manager for Refrigeration at ABB, explores how Gen Z engineers are reshaping refrigeration’s traditional mindset, bridging generational divides with digital fl uency, sustainability focus, and a fresh take on collaboration.
Stefano Ghidella
'The next stage in
refrigeration’s evolution won’t be a battle between the two schools of engineering.'
F
ood and beverage manufacturing is at a crossroads, where decades of mechanical expertise meet a digital landscape evolving with every passing day. In many facilities,
fi nely tuned legacy equipment now runs alongside intelligent networks built to deliver continuous insight and optimisation. The result isn’t division so much as creative tension, a meeting of perspectives that challenges familiar routines while opening opportunities to reshape how we think, work and innovate on the factory fl oor. Cooling remains one of the most energy-intensive processes in food production, yet a large share of systems still operate at a constant speed, regulating fl ow mechanically rather than adjusting to real demand. The technology to change this already exists; what’s needed now is a shift in mindset.
Mechanical comfort, digital unease Legacy refrigeration systems, with their noisy motors and visible mechanisms, serve more than just a functional purpose. For many in the industry, they embody craftsmanship and control. Every subtle sound and movement tells a story – a change in
temperature or vibration can hint at how a system is performing beneath the surface. For many engineers, this sensory connection remains an essential part of ensuring reliable performance. Even today, many compressors are shipped without drives, an outcome shaped in part by long-held perceptions dating back to earlier generations of technology. Older drives once struggled to manage the high mechanical demands typical of refrigeration systems, leaving behind impressions that still linger in the industry. Modern drives, however, tell a very diff erent story: purpose-built for these challenges, they’re distinctly more robust, fl exible, and adaptable than their predecessors. Discipline boundaries also play a role. Few engineers are
trained in both mechanical and electrical systems in equal measure, and that separation can make upgrades feel more complex than they really are. For those who built their expertise through hands-on experience – using wrenches, gauges, and intuition – digital tools represent a diff erent way of working. But when technology enhances rather than replaces that mechanical foundation, reliability and progress can move forward together.
A generational hand-off Equally important are the diff erent perspectives that come with experience. For many younger engineers, mechanical systems have always been supported by digital tools like data analytics, cloud dashboards and digital twins. They tend to see technology as a natural extension of how engineering evolves and adapts. Seasoned engineers bring decades of experience grounded
in reliability and continuity. They bring a deep understanding of reliability and process continuity – qualities that have kept operations steady for decades. Their emphasis on consistency remains a vital counterbalance to advancing technology, ensuring that innovation builds on a stable foundation. Still, enthusiasm alone doesn’t equal change on the ground.
Younger engineers bring digital fl uency, while veteran colleagues off er depth, stability, and good judgment. Real progress happens when both groups collaborate, blending practical expertise with digital insight to shape smarter and more resilient operations.
16 December 2025 •
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