EPTA INVESTS IN THE TRAINING OF AMERICAN REFRIGERATION PROFESSIONALS: TWO NEW CO2 TRAINING CENTERS OPEN IN THE UNITED STATES
Epta has always considered the training of refrigeration professionals as a fundamental asset for accelerating the transition towards a fully natural commercial refrigeration system, which the Group promotes with the opening of two new CO2 Training Centers in the United States.
Inaugurated, respectively, in Columbus, Georgia, in April 2023 and in Orange, California, in August 2023, the Dale Sizemore Training Center and the West Coast Training Center, aim to be centers of excellence to meet the growing demand for training in natural refrigerants, spurred by green legislation.
The key figures responsible for CO2 Transcritical training are Ignacio Chaparro, R&D and New Technologies Manager at Kysor Warren Epta US and Dale Sizemore, Director of Technical Support at Kysor Warren Epta US.
Ignacio Chaparro, an expert in CO2 systems operation and high-efficiency technologies, is dedicated to guiding attendees through the complexities of CO2 systems, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their functionality. Complementarily, Dale Sizemore provides essential insights into the practical aspects of CO2 systems, equipping participants with the necessary skills for effective installation, maintenance and troubleshooting. Together, they form an unbeatable team, committed to sharing their extensive knowledge and experience with trainees.
“In an industry characterized by rapid changes driven by technological innovation and regulatory evolution, a constant professional update for refrigeration technicians is necessary, in a perspective of life-long learning” states Dale Sizemore from Kysor Warren, the Group's American brand, who continues, “In this sense, Epta’s training offer is dedicated to natural technologies using R744 and is structured into two modules: Design and Configuration of CO2 systems and Installation, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting”.
Moreover, the courses provided in collaboration with Southern Californian Edison (SCE) and the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC) are certified by the Instructure (Canvas) learning management system and are free for all EptaPeople and available for a fee for external technicians, allowing participants to earn 2.5 training credits per unit.
EPTA BETS ON THE POTENTIAL OF MADE IN USA REFRIGERATION
Made in USA refrigeration presents enormous potential and unprecedented growth prospects, as observed in a recent market survey conducted by NASRC in the Food Retail sector. The annual research, which involved the major 14 U.S. chains, highlighted that the number of retail outlets using CO₂, currently at 7% of the total, will increase by 312% between 2024 and 2028, reaching a value of 22%.
Although a significant part of this growth represents new store openings, the majority of the increase, starting in 2025, will derive from the replacement of existing systems, as shown below:
“The decision by Epta to open a training hub in California aims to enhance the eco-sustainability approach for which the West Coast state stands out in the American landscape, as demonstrated by its adherence to the U.S. Climate Alliance since 2017 and its goal to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement” Ignacio Chaparro, Kysor Warren who concludes, “Moreover, since January 1, 2022, California not only participates in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program, aimed at promoting the replacement of ozone-depleting substances, including HCFCs, with environmentally friendly alternatives, but also applies additional restrictions that limit the GWP of refrigerants in commercial refrigeration equipment with capacities exceeding 50 pounds. This trend underscores Epta's value not only as a technology partner, thanks to the most innovative transcritical CO2 solutions under the Kysor Warren brand, but also as a training hub that confirms its role as a Green Transition Enabler for the entire industry”.