Categories: Press Releases

Kirby was once again proud to be the category partner for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships, held in Melbourne from 17-19 August.

The competition held at the MCEC saw the nation’s best apprentices and trainees across 55 skills compete for their national titles. Within the refrigeration and air-conditioning category nine competitors demonstrated their skills by mastering a refrigeration project that included building a small coolroom and refrigeration system, together with refrigeration and electrical fault-finding and other skills-based tasks.

We congratulate Floyd Lucas-Baxter, Canberra ACT for taking out the gold medal, and also congratulate silver medalist, Bailey Loenneker, East Coast QLD and bronze medallist, Blake Harris, Melbourne VIC. Two Certificate of Excellence awards were awarded to Spencer Wende, North QLD and Tyde Wharerau, Perth South WA.

A well-deserved congratulations also goes to Jade Morris – Perth South, Max Hunter – Sydney, Jacques Sourintha – Sydney and Ryan Attard – Brisbane for representing their states and reaching the national competition.

Kirby Marketing Manager Elizabeth Paparo said,

“The efforts of all competitors are commendable. It was a busy, high traffic environment with many onlookers and distractions that needed to be overcome. The competitors needed to decipher the project requirements and then focus on build, quality and timeliness across the 3-day competition. All while under the watchful eyes of the judging panel.”

The national championships were held alongside the Victorian Careers and Employment Expo. This national Skills Show gave all attendees (including school students), the opportunity to try-a-skill and discover potential career pathways. The event included over 100 training organisations and employers and over 20 hands-on activities to try out, including air-conditioning and refrigeration.

Kirby has proudly supported WorldSkills Australia for over 25 years. During the week of the national championship the business was awarded a Certificate of Merit from WorldSkills International in recognition of the long-standing partnership. It is one of a few awards that are given to WorldSkills Partners from member nations for their long-standing support and contribution to skills excellence through WorldSkills in their country.

It recognises Kirby’s support regionally, nationally and internationally via the Partnership for Refrigeration & Air Conditioning with WorldSkills Australia to supporting competitors, judges, mentors and Registered Training Organisations, promoting career pathways and skills excellence.

Congratulations to the WorldSkills Australia team for a successful competition week and Skills Show. Special mention to our industry TAFE teachers that formed the judging committee.

The next stop for selected national champions across all disciplines will be the WorldSkills International Competition hosted in Lyon, France in 2024.

Kirby HVAC&R, a leading refrigeration and air conditioning wholesaler is thrilled to announce it will now join Beijer Ref Australia as an authorized distributor of Embraco products throughout Australia.

Effective 1 July 2023, customers can source a wide range of Embraco compressors and condensing units from any of the 62 Kirby branches Australia-wide.

Kirby national sales and marketing manager, Brett Hedge, said the extensive distribution channel offered by Kirby, coupled with the existing distribution within the Beijer Ref Australia business made it an ideal arrangement for the Embraco portfolio, part of Nidec Global Appliance.

“We are delighted to add Embraco to our portfolio. Kirby seeks to fulfil all our customers’ new project and product servicing needs. The addition of Embraco to the range, strengthens our ability to do this.”

For Embraco, a part of Nidec Global Appliance, the extended distribution agreement with Beijer Ref signifies another milestone for the group in the APAC region. Bruno Fogaça, Nidec Global Appliance account manager, Embraco portfolio Oceania and South Asia, says,

“Our focus is to deliver our innovative portfolio with our high standards of quality, reliability, competitiveness, and energy efficiency to the entire commercial refrigeration industry. With this new agreement, we are excited to make Embraco products even more accessible to Australian customers.”

Established globally as a leader in variable speed compressor technology, Embraco is a pioneer in the transition to natural refrigerants, with compressors suited to low GWP refrigerants and natural refrigerant R290.

Utilising the same design standards, the Embraco condensing unit portfolio covers high efficiency and easy to service systems for service cases, upright refrigerators, undercounter freezers, prep tables, reach-ins and merchandisers. For more information, contact your local Kirby store.

(L-R) Wayne Ferguson, managing director Beijer Ref Australia, Guilherme Figueiredo, Nidec Global Appliance senior sales manager, Embraco portfolio Asia Pacific region, Bruno Fogaça, Nidec Global Appliance account manager, Embraco portfolio Oceania and South Asia, Brett Hedge, national sales and marketing manager Kirby HVAC&R.

SCM REF Australia says farewell to Peeranat Sangkhaman, a design engineer from SCM REF Thailand, who has been working with the Australian product development and research team for the past 3 months as part of the Beijer Ref international exchange program.

Peeranat has worked for SCM REF Thai for 4 years. He was selected to be part of the exchange program to bring his design expertise to a new refrigeration product development project for the Kirby HVACR business.

The design project has challenged Peeranat to learn and be able to apply new heat transfer calculation software for cost/benefit analysis. Through an exploration of the local market and comparative product offers he has broadened his commercial skills and critical thinking. Peeranat’s English language skills have also developed acutely which will be an ongoing asset for himself throughout his career.

For the SCM REF Australia team they have equally benefitted. David Upward, product development manager for SCM REF Australia commented;

“Peeranat has worked very well with our engineering team both here and in China to make a significant contribution to our project. It has been great to see a young engineer in the early stages of his career getting involved and making the most of this opportunity.”

Peeranat is grateful for the guidance and assistance extended during his time in Australia.

“The generosity and support have made a significant impact on my work and personal growth.”

Beijer Ref is committed to the professional development of its people. The international exchange program is just one of the many opportunities available to employees within the business.

SCM REF AU says thank you to Peeranat and SCM REF Thai for the worthwhile program.

Kirby HVAC Partners who reached their 2022 HVAC buying targets have just enjoyed an exclusive experience to Japan. Hosted by a small Kirby team, the group visited Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto across five action-filled days.

Among the sites visited were the Imperial Palace, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Sky Tree, Asakusa Sensoji-Temple, Nakamise Street, Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple.

The group also enjoyed an authentic Japanese Karaoke experience, sushi-making class and sake-tasting. Souvenir shopping was seized by all and there was always an opportunity to enjoy the delicious Japanese street food and local restaurants.

Whilst clouds and poor weather helped Mount Fuji elude the group on the scheduled tour day, the group was able to enjoy some spectacular views of the mountain during the bullet train ride to Osaka.

Part of the scheduled trip included a factory tour of the Inaba Denko factory in Nara. Attendees were able to learn more about the Inaba Denko range and see first-hand the pair coil manufacturing process. Kirby extends our thanks to the Inaba Denko team for their hospitality and for being a part of the 2022 HVAC Partner Program.

The attending Kirby travellers included a mix of returning customers and customers new to the Kirby HVAC incentive program. Congratulations to all attending companies on the business success that awarded them these tickets.

If you would like to be a part of the next HVAC Partner Program trip, contact your Kirby representative. The 2023 program is now underway, with next year’s destination sure to be another exciting experience.

The Kirby Apprentice Fund has sponsored another round of training scholarships for 4th year industry apprentices. Apprentices undertook CO2 Safety plus Repair and Service Systems training at the Beijer Ref Academy in Sydney.

At the successful completion of the training and their Certificate III in AC and Refrigeration, technicians will be issued a nationally recognised Statement to Attainment and nationally recognised ARC, Green Scheme Accreditation.

Together with training partner Superior Training Centre Pty Ltd (RTO ID Number 41122), Kirby and Beijer Ref is able to give attendees a complete learning experience amidst an industry-leading manufacturing facility. Having a decanting facility on-site enhances the experience further, and attendees were also given a tour of the Gas2Go plant and testing laboratory.

The attendees selected came from SA, NT, Sydney, Regional NSW, QLD and VIC. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience and appreciated the expertise that was being shared with them by the course leaders.

Kyle Pease, 4th year apprentice from ALB Services commented;

“The whole experience was some of the best training I’ve ever received. The best part was the real-life hands-on fault-finding we as a team got to do on the CO2 systems. It was also amazing to see the rack systems in production through each stage.”

Elizabeth Paparo, brand & communications manager, Beijer Ref added;

“As a facilitator of these programs, it is a good feeling to know you are doing something that affects their future careers. It was also very nice to see the attendees interact with each other across the 2 days. Sharing stories and their own learnings. These connections can be just as important as the structured learning.”

Kirby thanks and commends the apprentice’s employers for supporting them in this training; ALB Services, JD Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Oomiak, Pelican Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Sims Refrigeration (SA), Sims Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (NT), Strathbrook Regional Services, Tri Tech Refrigeration QLD, Woolworths Facilities Management, Woolworths Format Development

“They are going back to their workplaces with new skills and learning to pass onto the other technicians.”

The Kirby Apprentice Fund will continue to give back to the industry through these training scholarships. Thanks go to Emerson, CPS, Aspen, Testo, Sauermann, MHIA, Appion and ARC for their support throughout this scholarship offer.

For more information or to be a part of these scholarship programs, contact your Kirby representative.