By Harshal Surange and Arvind Surange

REFCOLD
The Indian refrigeration and cold chain industry is about to witness a revolution of sorts. ISHRAE is now taking a deep plunge into this sector with its own separate show. Earlier, this sector was represented in the Refrigeration and Cold Chain Pavilion in ACREX. Now, REFCOLD will be a full-fledged expo, and it is here to stay. REFCOLD 2018 has been receiving unprecedented support from the industry with many big names coming out spontaneously for various forms of partnership. The stall area already blocked till
the end of August will ensure that it is the largest refrigeration and cold chain industry show in India. Going by the serious manner in which ISHRAE takes its events, we should not be surprised if we find the show reaching the level of ACREX in the next few years. For the last many years we have, through this column, expressed our view that ISHRAE should increase its efforts in this field, and we are happy that this project has moved ahead with tremendous zeal and enthusiasm. Our target would be to cross the level of Chillventa, which is held in Nuremberg, Germany every alternate year.

ISHRAE Ahmedabad Chapter has paved the way for this show in 2018. The next REFCOLD is already planned in Hyderabad in 2019. Kudos to the team for making it to this stage. The success of this show will pave the way for significant success in the future versions of the event.

RefCon
Considering that RefCon events will supplement and will help create a background for REFCOLD, chapters around the country were encouraged to organize RefCon before October 2018. Many chapters came forward and conducted RefCon. Pune Chapter organized RefCon in Kolhapur along with Kolhapur- Sangli sub-chapter in August, and in Aurangabad and Baramati in September. Indore Chapter would also have conducted RefCon in September.

FOCSAI AGM
A major event that took place recently was the Annual General Body Meeting of the Federation of Cold Storage Associations of India (FOCSAI), which is held at Agra every year. The AGM attracts a large number of cold storage owners who attend the meeting representing their own Cold Storage Associations. An exhibition is also held at the venue. This makes it a powerful forum for sellers to showcase their products, since almost all the visitors are cold storage owners and operators. It serves as a networking space for the cold storage fraternity who come together and share their thoughts and issues at a common forum.

Cold Chain Vyapaar
RATA has started conducting seminars dedicated to the cold chain under the umbrella of Cold Chain Vyapaar. These events are planned in many cities and towns of the country. The first event was held in Mumbai on August 10, in which Harshal Surange was invited as the Chief Guest and keynote speaker.

Skilling
Of late, there has been considerable concern about the lack of quality manpower in the industry. While ISHRAE has been doing its bit by holding seminars like RefCon and ACR TrendZ for the last many years, the training part has been taken up by ISHRAE through its MoUs with companies like Emerson and Danfoss who have online training modules. These modules are free of cost for ISHRAE members and anyone who registers can have access to these training programs.

Chillventa
Chillventa is going to be held in Nuremberg, Germany from October 16 to 18, and we would cover it in the next issue of Cold Chain Corner. Chillventa is possibly the largest show in the world dedicated to products relating to the refrigeration and cold chain industry. A large number of Indians visit the event, and it highlights India’s growing clout in the world refrigeration and cold chain market.