According to a report released by the organisers of the India Cold Chain Show 2015 held in Mumbai during December 16-18, India ranks first in the world in the production of fruits and second in vegetables, accounting for 10 per cent and 15 per cent respectively of total global production. One-third or 25-30 per cent is lost post-harvest due to lack of infrastructure – a sustainable cold chain arrangement.
The Indian food industry is witnessing approximately 20 per cent growth each year and is expected to double to touch Rs. 5,200 crores by 2017. The Indian cold chain industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 28 per cent over the next three years and reach a market size of Rs. 7,800 crores in 2017.
In its fourth annual edition, the India Cold Chain Show focused on major topics like cold storage infrastructure, temperature controlling, IT solutions for cold storages/warehouses, material handling solutions for cold storages, cold chain and cold supply chain.
Every year, technology providers gather to showcase the latest solutions to hundreds of decision makers from different parts of the world. This year, the event offered comprehensive business, networking and learning opportunities for all stake-holders in the cold chain sector, proving a major hit amongst all the exhibitors and visitors alike.
We bring you a report on some of the best solutions exhibited for the truck reefer segment.
ABCN Manufacturing reefer capacity showcased
The reefer industry is in for an exponential growth, and most of the food items, including dairy, ice creams, pharmaceutical drugs and vegetables, will require reefer trucks. “We are trying to cater to every stake-holder, right from the small fleet operator to big corporate clients who use reefer trucks,” exclaimed an excited Mr. Shreyans Parikh, MD, ABCN Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd. The company is a forward integration of the commercial vehicle dealership business of Bafna Motors, offering customers a one-stop solution for body-building of all brands like Tata, Eicher, Bharat Benz, AMW, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra.
Operating out of a high-end two-acre facility on the Old Mumbai-Pune highway near Panvel, ABCN Manufacturing boasts of state-of-the-art workshop and highly trained staff to handle any intricate job. “We can make 100 reefer bodies per month, from containers for pick-ups to 30 feet 40 feet containers. We have so far delivered more than 500 vehicles with full customer satisfaction. The best thing is understanding customers’ requirement, educate them and deliver them the right products. We provide one-stop solutions for the transporter from even helping them select the right chassis, AC unit, GPS system, rear view cameras, data logger, flooring and paneling,” adds Mr. Parikh.
Swift Cold Chain and SubZero focus on product quality
The Swift Cold Chain Group (SCCG), operational since 1997 and known for on-road cold chain movements, displayed an Eicher 11.10 vehicle with a SubZero refrigerated body. Mr. Amit Nalekar, Director, SCCG, said: “Since we handle and deliver temperature sensitive products, our thrust is on highly specialised reefer bodies that serve the client requirements. Be it GRP, PPGI, MS, Stainless steel or aluminium, we rely on our partners like SubZero to deliver quality products.”
If customized product-based refrigerated solution is one way to cater to the client, pan-India reach with modern fleet is another. “With a network that is visible across the length and breadth of the country, delivery capabilities extending even up to distant and far-flung locations in Nepal and Bangladesh make us a distinct reefer transporter in India,” beams Mr. Nalekar.
Apart from its head-office in Mumbai, SCCG has also invested in creating fully operational and highly responsive branch offices at important manufacturing and distribution hubs across the country. SCCG is equipped with a modern fleet of over 100 refrigerated trucks of varying sizes and capacities, allowing them to carry multi-product handling and transporting from the point of origin to the point of distribution or consumption, in key sectors like pharmaceuticals, confectionaries, agriculture and horticulture. “Such a wide set-up helps us create and operate an efficient, pan India, cold supply chain system,” says Mr. Nalekar.
Speaking about the unique selling point and the edge his company offers, Mr. Deep Khira, CEO, SubZero, observed: “Our USP is our focus on high quality and performance of the insulated box. Our manufacturing technology is flexible and we can offer a range of materials such as GRP, PPGI, MS, stainless steel, aluminium, etc., required by our clients.”
It has to be noted that reefer bodies are always customised to suit specific application, and going by SubZero’s experience and vehicle at display they have right solutions for every industry. Citing an example about the range of vehicles and types of reefer body they can make, Mr. Khira says: “We have made some reefer bodies for a leading dairy in Pune carrying 20 tonnes of milk daily, and the client is happy with the sturdiness of the body.”
Carrier’s highly adaptable technology
Carrier Transicold India, known for offering products to demanding Indian road transport and high ambient conditions, displayed its complete range at the show. It was enthralling to see Carrier’s clients like VE Commercial Vehicles and Isuzu Dmax put up fully built vehicles with its (Carrier’s) AC unit.
“The show included a display of the vehicle engine-driven XariosTM unit on an Isuzu Dmax pick-up truck and self-engine powered OasisTM fitted on VECV vehicles. All these small, medium and heavy trucks are capable of maintaining temperatures from +25 Deg C to -25 Deg C, thus covering the complete range of frozen and chilled temperature applications,” said Mr. Pankaj Mehta, Country Head & Director, Carrier Transicold India.
Carrier’s strength lies in adapting products to suit Indian conditions, engineering them as per requirement and supporting them with its after-sales team. A recent example of this methodology is its application for heavy duty higher tonnage trucks.
Mr. Mehta further said: “As a recent trend we are observing an increase in demand for longer 32ft rigid trucks. We responded by introducing the SupraTM range with increased air throw to cater to this requirement. Both the Supra 1150 and Supra 1250 units have been well received by various segments, which look to leveraging economies of scale for transporting goods by using larger containers.”
The India Cold Chain Show also hosted a two-day conference where the speakers got an opportunity to present their products and services. Carrier Transicold India made a presentation on ‘New Technologies’ in refrigerated transportation. “We showcased the benefits of our new CitifreshTM unit for chilled temperature on mid-size truck applications, as well as of the new PulsorTM vehicle engine-driven range with the E-Drive(TM) all-electric technology that provides constant cooling in city applications regardless of vehicle engine speed. The NaturaLINETM container refrigeration system is the first to use natural refrigerant carbondioxide, with a global warming potential,” added Mr. Mehta.
Carrier Transicold has been an industry leader for 45 years, providing customers around the world with the most advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems for on-road movement of fresh and frozen food, pharmaceuticals and other perishables in 170 countries on six continents.
Eicher introduces fully-built reefer truck
Eicher has been providing truck chassis to various key logistic players in the industry for building reefer containers. However, assessing the rising demand, Eicher took a step further to provide completely built solution under a single roof. The leading brand from VE Commercial Vehicles has strengthened its presence in the cold chain logistics sector through the expansion of its product portfolio. The showcased products were from the Pro 1000 and 6000 category. These included Pro 1059XP reefer, Pro 1110XP reefer and Pro 6025 reefer. With these, Eicher is now ready to provide fully built, ready-to-use solutions for cold chain logistics.
The concept of fully built reefer is to provide complete solution under one roof to the end consumer. It also provides ARAI approved design, OEM built reliable and durable tested design. This range of products will come in 14ft, 20ft and 24ft options. These heavy-duty truck types range from a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 7 tonnes to 25 tonnes with minimum fuel consumption.
The highlights of these reefer trucks include the new refrigeration unit which has an operating temperature range of -25 deg C to +25 deg C under ambient conditions of +50 deg C. The Eicher Pro refrigerated trucks are designed to keep the products fresh and suited to varied applications.
Speaking at the India Cold Chain Exhibition 2015 on the opportunity for reefer logistics segment and industry growth, Mr. P. Ravishankar, Executive Vice President, VE Commercial Vehicles, said: “The launch of the Eicher reefer range of trucks is an important landmark in our consistent history of meeting the growing customer requirements. We are methodically expanding our product portfolios and reinforcing our expertise in various segments. We hope to continue introducing chains of newer offerings, going forward.”
Product features
Eicher Pro 1110XP has an E413 BS-III engine with a power of 115 PS at 2800 rpm and a maximum torque of 400 Nm at 1400-1600 rpm. It has a fuel tank capacity of 190 lts with a unique gearbox of ET 4055 – 5 forward and one reverse and a 310 mm diameter clutch and an impressive battery of 12V-100 Ah. The variant has a 2m wider aerodynamic cabin which comes with a modern styling that’s almost a PEGASUS family look alike. It comes with a larger 4300 mm wheelbase and a 26 per cent gradeability and 220 mm ground clearance.
Eicher Pro 1059 XP is available with E413 BS-III engine, 3515 mm wheelbase and a 60 lts capacity fuel tank. The engine produces a max power of 95 PS at 2800 rpm and a max torque of 285 Nm at 1400-1600 rpm. This truck also has features like a gear box of ET 30SS – 5 forward and 1 reverse with a clutch size of 275 mm and chassis of ladder type joggled frame. It is known for its 26% gradeability and a battery of 12V- 100Ah with a 2m wider capacity of modern aerodynamic cabin with a PEGASUS family look having a 210 mm ground clearance.
Eicher Pro 6025 is equipped with VEDX5, 5 litre BS-III engine with a max power of 210 hp at 2200 rpm and a torque of 825 Nm at 200-1600 rpm. Along with a powerful engine, it uses a 24V battery, 5300 mm wheelbase, a very efficient ET9056, 6 forward and 1 reverse gearbox having a larger clutch size of 395 mm with a truck chassis of ladder type joggled frame with 285 X 76 X 7 mm. It has a sleeper cabin with 4 point suspension with a gradeability of 22.5 per cent. The truck also has a 415 lts of fuel tank capacity and 265 mm ground clearance.
Subros commitment to complete refrigerated system
Subros displayed a complete range of transport refrigeration solutions for both chilling and freezing applications. “We design world class transport refrigeration systems keeping the energy efficient, cost effective and safety features in mind, so that every kind of food item reaches its destination in the same condition it is being loaded,” revealed Mr. Pawan Sabharwal, Director (Marketing), Subros.
In fact, Subros goes a step further in reassuring its commitment towards the transporter in providing complete reefer bodies. Mr. Pankaj Mehta, DGM – Marketing, reiterates: “OEMs and fleet owners can send us the chassis and the requirement, whether it is aluminium, MS or SS any thickness and any insulation technology, we promise to deliver. By providing complete solution we own the complete responsibility of the refrigerated body in case there is any issue.”
Primatel, a sister concern, also makes containers for them. “We have built around 60-70 bodies last year. In fact we are the complete reefer container OE supplier to Tata Motors especially for Super Ace and the next model Mint,” adds Mr. Mehta.
Featuring next generation technologies, Subros provides a complete range of truck cabin AC systems, while reducing noise, emissions and fuel consumption. It is validated by OEMs and can be customized for varied applications.
Trans ACNR’s battery-powered units displayed
Trans ACNR, one of the leading suppliers of bus air-conditioning systems and truck refrigeration solutions in India, showcased its first HT 300 refrigeration units for trucks. “We had options for higher tonnage trucks and mini-vans but HT 300 will cater to containers upto 22 feet and catering to vehicles like the Eicher 11.10,” revealed Mr. Shatrughan Kumar, Managing Director, Trans ACNR.
Another product on display was the Eco Series, specially for the pick-up segment. “Eco-Series is totally different from the current engine belt driven and inverter type of refrigeration units. It uses 100 per cent DC-powered technology without the inverter and AC compressor. The battery will be charged by the vehicle alternator with minimum requirement of 90 amp,” asserts Mr. Kumar.
The third product on display was the parking cooler that provides comfort inside the cabin of heavy duty trucks. The aim is to give special cooling to the drivers. It works for six hours even after the engine is stopped.
Also on display was the mono-block series, integrated with LED measurement/cab controller. It is an advancement of the older push button version.
According to Mr. Kumar, in a market volume of 2000 units per annum, Trans ACNR enjoys 20 per cent share. It is keen on leveraging on the huge potential in the country, especially in its focus areas of air-conditioning and refrigeration for trucks and buses.
Nimble propagates temperature monitoring solution
Nimble Wireless displayed its Toucan N5 Series. The device is a real time temperature monitoring solution. It can monitor temperature in reefer trucks and cold storage rooms. In the case of a reefer truck the Nimble device can also monitor the location of the truck using the GPS.
This device works even when the vehicle is at hault. The reports can be generated via web application or the operator’s mobile. The device is integrated with a GPS and a GSM modem into it. It can continuously transmit data without wires-in real time. Since the device is also equipped with motion sensors that detects whether the vehicle is at hault or moving at a particular speed.
Customers, with large cold storage, can use multiple sensors and one gateway. Since the device is battery operated, even if there is no power it can keep sending the data.
In the case of a truck with a plastic reefer container, the device can be placed inside the container. However, if the container is of stainless steel or aluminium, the device will have to be kept outside the driver’s cabin, and a wire is inserted in the container to record the temperature.
The basic difference between the Nimble device and the traditional data logger is that while the latter has to be placed at point A and removed at point B, then plugged into an USB to extract data, in the case of the Nimble device, you place it at point A and it continues to transmit data. So a truck operator can send the consistent temperature data even before truck is unloaded at point B. The device data is stored on a cloud. Nimble will provide username and password for the cloud data storage along with complete solution, including the software.
Story & Pictures by Rajesh Rajgor & Ganesh Kalidas