ANOTHER ROUND OF SUCCESS FOR AIRCELL OPEN FRONT GRAB & GO CABINET

Judging panel at British Sandwich Association’s Sammies Awards 2018 recognises that the Aircell Sarma Grab & Go display case has demonstrated genuine product innovation

Adande Refrigeration’s Aircell Sarma open front, integral refrigerated Grab & Go cabinet has won the ‘Packaging & Equipment’ category at the British Sandwich Association’s Sammies Awards 2018. The presentation was made at a gala evening held at the Lancaster London Hotel on 10 May. The award follows the success of the Aircell Grab & Go cabinet at the Food & Hotel Asia SCI Equipment Awards in Singapore and the FCSI UK & Ireland Sustainable Catering Equipment Awards 2017.

In making the award, the judging panel recognised that the Aircell Sarma Grab & Go display case had demonstrated genuine product innovation. The Aircell system works by dividing the cabinet’s merchandising envelope into separate air flow managed cells with small, low pressure air columns. Each cell has its own air curtain, which is more efficient than a full height canopy-to-base air curtain on a conventional multi deck case. The net result is less pressure on the inside of the air curtain of each cell and a substantial reduction in cold air spillage. The technology is particularly suited to harsh environments, often found in food to go outlets and convenience stores, where cross draughts can exacerbate cold air spillage.

Energy savings

Aircell provides tangible food to go focused features for the retailer. The significant reduction in cold air spillage means that there is less duty on the refrigeration system, creating energy savings. During in-store trials, the energy consumption of a prototype Aircell cabinet was measured as 53.6% less than the store’s existing open front multi deck, representing an annual saving in electricity costs of £660.65 for a 1250 mm unit. Because chilled air doesn’t fall from the cabinet, the temperature bandwidth is much tighter, keeping food products fresher for longer and reducing waste. During an in-store trial, air temperature within an Aircell Grab & Go cabinet was measured to a bandwidth of 3°C, compared with an average range of 13°C in the store’s existing open front multi deck.

Aircell cabinets also provide benefits for the shopper. The tight cabinet temperature bandwidth ensures that food is held at the optimum temperature for freshness, quality and experience, improving the eating experience. The chilly store conditions created by cold air spillage is eliminated, creating a warmer shopping experience for the customer, promoting browsing and increased sales. The open front nature of the Aircell Sarma cabinet also provides unfettered access to merchandise, which is a prerequisite for food to go operations.

Product quality

Adande’s sales Director, Karl Hodgson, stated: “Aircell is a unique and disruptive technology, which saves energy, increases sales, maintains product quality and improves the shopping experience. This award further endorses the credentials of Aircell open front cabinet technology, highlighting real benefits for the display of chilled food to go in foodservice and convenience retailing operations.”

 

Pictured: Adande’s national project manager, Jan Quilliam (centre), with Nitesh Shah (left) director of business development at Geeta’s Foods and Theo Randall (right) Michelin Star celebrity chef and head judge of The Sammies Awards

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