Cold Chain Hub 2024: Premier Event For Refrigeration Solutions

Brands in transport refrigeration solutions will be among over 40 exhibitors at the 2024 Cold Chain Hub exhibition.

Cold Chain Hub 2024, the event dedicated to the UK’s cold storage and distribution sector, will take place at Birmingham’s NEC on 9 & 10 October.

Cold Chain Hub 2024

Organized by the team behind pioneering magazine, TCS&D, the show is supported by the Road Haulage Association and has attracted some of the biggest players in the industry.

Cold Chain Hub will showcase innovation from right across the cold supply chain, with some larger exhibits – such as portable cold stores and refrigerated vehicles, including electric models – on display in an outside area.

Industry firsts on show

The exhibition will be the launch pad for several brand-new products and services

The exhibition will be the launch pad for several brand-new products and services.

“Not only have we attracted some of the biggest names in the industry,” says Martyn Cogan, but Event Director, “Cold Chain Hub 2024 will also be a platform for several exciting innovations.”

CoolVan

CoolVan, one of the UK’s pioneering manufacturers of bespoke chilled and frozen transport vehicles, will be launching its revolutionary recycled vehicle insulation at the 2024 show. The eco-friendly lining is the result of significant investment in R&D, including a state-of-the-art test chamber.

Instead of fiberglass, the newly patented insulation uses fully recycled plastic that is also fully recyclable at the end of its life. Up to 8,000 recycled plastic bottles are used in each van conversion, with the solution also increasing thermal efficiency. Two vehicles with the new insulation will be on the company’s stand (A30) and will feature refrigeration units from GAH and Hubbard.

Celsius

CoolVan recently launched a companion brand, Celsius, which is dedicated to fleet vehicle conversions.

“With so much to share,” says Sam Hargreaves, Manager of the new Celsius division, “from our fleet-focused new brand and the innovations made possible by our new in-house test chamber to our revolutionary conversion system, Cold Chain Hub 2024 is the perfect stage to showcase our sustainable refrigeration solutions.”

Carrier Transicold

Carrier Transicold will be promoting its new Vector HE 17 temperature-controlled trailer unit on stand A10

Carrier Transicold will be promoting its new Vector HE 17 temperature-controlled trailer unit on stand A10. Utilizing cutting-edge inverter technology with the company’s proven all-electric E-Drive architecture, the Vector HE 17 sets a new benchmark for performance and total cost of ownership.

“The Vector HE 17 offers up to 30% reduced fuel consumption,” says James Bell, Sales & Marketing Director, “as well as refrigeration capacity output above 16 kW and a 6 dB(A) noise reduction when compared to the legacy Vector 1550.”

Vector HE 17

The Vector HE 17 also features an economizer and a hermetically sealed compressor, increasing the machine's efficiency and reducing the risk of refrigerant leaks.

The unit is also equipped with a telematics box to enable customers to make faster, data-driven decisions.

Endurance, a zero-emission transport refrigeration unit

UK-based cleantech company, Sunswap will be promoting Endurance, its zero-emission transport refrigeration unit at the show. Endurance is a battery- and solar-powered refrigeration system for trailers that helps operators to decarbonize their supply chains.

“Our technology offers a sustainable, cost-effective, and viable alternative to diesel,” says Michael Lowe, CEO. “With successful trials with many UK operators, several industry awards, and backing from major partners, Sunswap is driving the cold chain towards a cleaner future.”

Exclusive consultation sessions

An Endurance unit will be on display on the Sunswap stand (B20), mounted on the front of a trailer

An Endurance unit will be on display on the Sunswap stand (B20), mounted on the front of a trailer to allow visitors to see the technology up close. The company will also be offering exclusive consultation sessions for operators interested in trialing Endurance in their fleets.

“Cold Chain Hub 2024 is a key event for Sunswap to engage with industry pioneers and demonstrate how our innovative technology is driving the transition to sustainable refrigerated transport,” says Michael.

TFV150 GA cooling unit

First-time exhibitor, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Transport Europe GmbH (MTTE) will be promoting its proven range of direct-drive diesel and electric transport refrigeration units on stand E22.

The Centre stage will be the TFV150 GA cooling unit – exhibited for the first time in the UK – which will be mounted on a Lamberet Trailer.

Transport refrigeration solution

Although MTTE has been supplying transport refrigeration solutions since 1967, the company only launched operations in the UK in April 2024.

“We’re establishing a service partner network for the whole of the UK,” says Elliot Quinn, Country Manager, “so Cold Chain Hub is a great opportunity for us to raise our profile in this market and meet potential partners for our network.”

Refrigeration design, engineering, and solutions

The company will be promoting its wide range of refrigeration units for panel vans, box body vehicles

A member of the Daikin group since 2017, Hubbard Products specializes in refrigeration design, engineering, and solutions for both static and transport applications.

The company will be promoting its wide range of refrigeration units for panel vans, box body vehicles, and truck & trailer combinations on stand G10, shared with Fischer Panda and Acrobat Vehicle Rental.

Hubbard Products’ SFZ009

Hubbard Products’ SFZ009 invisible under-mounted dual temperature unit will be displayed on a Mercedes-Benz RWD L2H2 Sprinter panel van.

“This solution does not require a condenser pod,” explains Coleen Botterill, Transport Refrigeration Sales Manager, “which improves the aerodynamics and allows a higher internal roof lining.”

Fischer Panda system

Powered by a Fischer Panda system with a 6kW battery pack with inverter – trickle charged by a solar panel and the Mercedes alternator plus an additional alternator – in testing the system kept the fridge to temperature for 7 hours to depletion without engine power.

“For pharmaceutical operations, this is very useful if the vehicle has an engine failure,” says Coleen, “and also negates the need for any run lock system to be fitted to vehicles.”

Sustainable transport refrigeration units

These compact, yet powerful refrigeration units rely exclusively on natural refrigerants

COOLTEC Grosskopf GmbH, a European manufacturer of future-proofed transport refrigeration systems, will showcase its highly sustainable transport refrigeration units on stand C30.

These compact, yet powerful refrigeration units rely exclusively on natural refrigerants and impress with a purely electric drive; this makes the system eco-friendly and guarantees a long operational life.

EU-wide F-Gas Regulation

The EU-wide F-Gas Regulation and resulting shortages of conventional refrigerants mean the industry is facing an unavoidable switch to sustainable alternatives but ECOOLTEC has already completed this transformation.

ECOOLTEC presents two new evaporators offering full flexibility when configuring multi-temp compartments; a new remote control for high user-friendliness; and a mounting position for the TM182 unit that is specifically designed to optimize energy requirements.

Temperature-controlled transport

The company will show one of its most recent installations on a truck owned by Brakes, a Sysco company, demonstrating the successful use of ECOOLTEC technology in everyday operation.

“Cold Chain Hub is the perfect place to showcase our technology to all decision-makers in temperature-controlled transport in the UK,” says Dale Cornes, General Sales Manager for ECOOLTEC UK.

Women in Cold Chain

The purpose of WiCC is to encourage female school leavers and university graduates, as well as women from other sectors

The exhibition will also host the Women in Cold Chain network on both days, with talks by a diverse range of speakers from across the industry.

Launched in 2023 by Constellation Cold Logistics, Marshall Fleet Solutions, and TCS&D, the purpose of Women in Cold Chain (WiCC) is to encourage female school leavers and university graduates, as well as women from other sectors, to consider exploring a career in the temperature-controlled storage and distribution industry.

TCS&D Conference and Awards

Cold Chain Hub will also host a free-to-attend conference across both days, featuring two streams – Refrigerated Transport (sponsored by Petit Forestier) and Cold Storage. In addition, the annual TCS&D Awards will be held on the evening of Wednesday 9 October at the nearby National Motorcycle Museum.

In their 11th year and with Sunswap as the main sponsor, the awards will celebrate innovation and excellence in the cold supply chain across several categories. Dawsongroup Truck and Trailer, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024, is sponsoring the event’s pre-dinner drinks reception, while the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) is the award sponsor for the Materials Handling Service Provider of the Year category.