| Submission Entry: | 1.) Digitalisation and inverterisation represent two relatively recent developments, amongst others (you are at liberty to invoke as many such relevant developments as you wish). As a manufacturer or supplier of HVACR equipment, what is the true measure of impact of such developments on such aspirations/outcomes as better energy efficiency, lower Total Cost of Ownership, better Indoor Environmental Quality IEQ), fire safety, reliability, data centre integrity, robust process cooling or stronger cold chain? (You may choose one, two or more aspirations/outcomes in writing your answer, as is/are relevant to the nature of products you manufacture or supply.) (78)Answer: As a leading manufacturer in the HVACR equipment industry, Güntner has progressively deepened our understanding of the pivotal role that digitization and inverterization play in transforming our sector. Rooted firmly in the heart of heat exchange technology, we have consistently prioritized enhancing energy efficiency while ensuring the stability of refrigeration systems across diverse industries remains a top concern.
Early on, Güntner recognized the revolutionary potential of digital solutions such as cloud computing, IoT (Internet of Things), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and machine learning. We have invested significant resources to support and accelerate the ongoing digitization and inverterization revolution within our industry very early with the GMM (Guntner Motor Management) controllers which were designed with energy efficiency in mind. The earliest GMM modules were with EC power and AC power modulation that helped lower the cost of ownership. The GMM was also expanded to our adiabatic line which would help in regulating water usage. This is a two-fold approach to cost saving with reduction of unit size by way of adiabatic cooling and reducing water consumptions when compared to cooling towers. The GMM modules were designed to work with the customer’s wishes to regulate either power or water more strictly based on the nature of power or water costing in his country or region. With pride, we announce the rebranding of our controller line to aicore™, a groundbreaking Digitalization Solution, commencing in August 2024, marking the dawn of a new era.
The aicore™ product suite seamlessly integrates with Güntner's latest IoT and analytics platform, aicore™ cloud. It provides various intelligent system monitoring options to keep the application and the cooler at it’s perfect state and condition (like the pollution detection, or the leakages or pressure and temperature detection) and it can also do free cooling (e.g. for mainly data center application) to save energy when possible and cool down the fluid with less energy provided. Overall, by harnessing continuous data collection, analytics, and the power of AI and machine learning, aicore™ optimizes energy consumption, minimizes maintenance requirements, reduces operating costs, and enables predictive maintenance and control for our heat exchange products. This innovation significantly enhances the energy efficiency and reliability of the entire HVAC&R system, ultimately empowering our customers to operate more efficiently and reduce their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
2.) Aftermarket operational/lifecycle/performance data have become an integral part of continuous improvement in the HVACR industry. As a manufacturer or supplier, what is the data that you collect/track, and what is your approach to that data? How do you collect/track that data? How do you validate them? How do you use the data? And what is your approach to analysing the data in ensuring that your interpretation and subsequent data-based action are able to improve such aspirations/outcomes as better energy efficiency, lower Total Cost of Ownership, better Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), fire safety, reliability, data centre integrity, robust process cooling or stronger cold chain? (You may choose one, two or more aspirations/outcomes in writing your answer, as is/are relevant to the nature of products you manufacture or supply.) (79)Answer: Güntner is committed to data collection, analysis and storage in line with the highest standards of Data management.
As part of our aicore™ launch, we are also including the IOT options which will help our service and maintenance team track performance of installed units in the field. This overview of the unit performance helps our maintenance team observe how the different ambient affects the unit performance and we hope to learn how to further improve our units or to upgrade them specifically to target the challenges of individual environments. We understood from our studies that despite countries like Oman and UAE being neighboring countries with similar geographical and climatic attributes, the demands are different and the challenges are different as well. So to make the solutions more end-user friend, the IOT development is imperative.
The IOT overview of the unit performance is a shared responsibility between Güntner’s maintenance team and the customer’s inhouse maintenance team. This way, we learn from each other as well as help maintain the unit at the highest levels of performance. This service will be free of cost for the first 2 years after which the customer can continue with the IOT platform with us on a membership basis or continue the monitoring and maintenance by himself without any active input from Güntner.
The analysis from the IOT Platform is mated to machine learning and AI tech we are developing. This allows us to predict any maintenance issues and address them before they happen. By way of either pre-emptive service or by way of keeping a ready set of spare parts, the downtime of the unit and the operational costs are both kept as low as possible.
From our RnD of the IOT platform, we’ve noticed that the calculated performance of our units and expected cost savings these units can generate are extremely close to real time savings. This is because our climatic data analysis and subsequent unit performance is in line with actual meteorological data and actual unit performance. As usual, Güntner’s datasheets are the most accurate in terms of actual performance and the fact that our aicore™ is working on the same efficiency is exactly as expected.
3.) Performance of assets or facilities is so much dependent on regular upkeep and commissioning. As a manufacturer or supplier, how are you supporting asset or facility management initiatives and endeavours of owners towards achieving better energy efficiency, lower Total Cost of Ownership, better Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), fire safety, reliability, data centre integrity, robust process cooling or stronger cold chain? (You may choose one, two or more aspirations/outcomes in writing your answer, as is/are relevant to the nature of products you manufacture or supply.) (80)Answer: We firmly acknowledge the pivotal role of regular upkeep and commissioning in enhancing the performance of assets or facilities. To this end, we offer a comprehensive solution that spans from product design, the provision of comprehensive user manuals, to post-installation equipment condition monitoring.
In our product design phase, we deliberately incorporate features that facilitate ease of maintenance. There are few examples. Our IoT solution at the moment provides besides other great functionality the calculation of the rest lifetime of the fans, which enables customers and our after sales service to maintain most reliable systems and to replace fans before they or the system break down. Our newly announced “efficiency optimized electrical defrost” in September 2024, now available in GPC, saving lots of energy in operation of our product and as well the whole cooling system and the eco-system of a cold storage, improving reliability, efficiency and food quality. All our air coolers units are designed with fully accessible interiors, enabling technicians to effortlessly inspect and assess the condition of internal components during maintenance, significantly streamlining the repair process. Additionally, for automated high-rise warehouses, we've introduced the Highstore Air Cooler, which eliminates the need for ductwork installation, simplifying maintenance routines while also reducing energy consumption.
We also provide comprehensive installation and maintenance manuals to our clients, complemented by tailored training sessions for their technical personnel. This ensures that our equipment is maintained correctly, thereby maximizing its operational lifespan. When equipment operates optimally, refrigeration efficiency improves, leading to reduced energy consumption.
Furthermore, our aicore™ solution optimizes the operational status of our units based on actual cooling demands, achieving energy savings. By analyzing historical data from the aicore™ solution, we gain insights into equipment performance, providing valuable recommendations for further enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.
4.) Describe your HR practices as a manufacturer or supplier. Do elaborate on how you hire, train, mentor, evaluate and reward your employees towards not only capacity-building and the commercial growth of the organisation but also for them to deliver better energy efficiency, lower Total Cost of Ownership, better Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), fire safety, reliability, data centre integrity, robust process cooling or stronger cold chain? (You may choose one, two or more aspirations/outcomes in writing your answer, as is/are relevant to the nature of products you manufacture or supply.) (81)Answer: Our HR strategy emphasizes cultivating a team that reinforces both growth and sustainability.
We meticulously select candidates based on their technical proficiency, industry understanding, and alignment with our values of efficiency and environmental responsibility. Our comprehensive hiring process incorporates interviews, technical evaluations, and case studies to assess candidates' potential contributions to our key areas of focus.
Upon joining, new team members undergo an intensive onboarding program that not only acquaints them with company policies and product expertise but also emphasizes the significance of energy savings, cooling efficiency, and cold chain management. Specialized training programs tailored to individual roles ensure every employee is equipped with the necessary skills to excel. Regular upskilling sessions and workshops keep our workforce at the forefront of industry trends and best practices.
We foster a mentoring culture where seasoned professionals mentor and mentor junior colleagues, facilitating knowledge sharing and promoting a sense of camaraderie. Cross-functional mentorship programs enable experts in fields like energy management to impart their wisdom, accelerating learning and professional development.
We actively recognize and reward employees who excel in enhancing energy efficiency, optimizing process cooling, and reinforcing the cold chain. This includes promotions, recognition programs, and avenues for continued professional growth, encouraging a culture that values sustainable and efficient practices.
In addition to our routine projects, our company also undertakes global special initiatives, notably the Discovery Program and the Thinkit Innovation Program. The Discovery Program annually selects outstanding employees from our global workforce to embark on a year-long specialized training journey. This comprehensive program equips participants with a deep understanding of the Güntner Group's fundamentals, encompassing its business model, core values, and the performance standards expected across various disciplines. It also delves into mastering the art of navigating complex cost structures to achieve holistic results. Concurrently, the THINKIT innovation Program organizes dedicated workshops worldwide, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation among our employees. These workshops not only ignite fresh ideas but also inject new vigor into our organization, driving it forward with renewed momentum and vision.
Overall, our HR practices are focused on building a high-performing, engaged, and sustainability-driven workforce that contributes to the growth and success of our organization while also making a positive impact on the environment and society.
5.) As a manufacturer or supplier, how are you contributing to a Circular Economy? (82)Answer: As a manufacturer or supplier, to contribute to a Circular Economy, we have been transforming our business model to minimize waste, optimize resource use, and promote the reuse, repair, and recycling of products. Here are a few of our ongoing initiatives.
We design for Circular Economy. One of our 6 pledges of sustainability goal is to launch our industry’s first truly circuit unit by the year of 2030. We are partnering with logistics and recycling partners while working closely with users and customers at all stages of the supply chain. Our innovation, research and development teams are working tirelessly on the development of efficient technologies. This will support our goal of crafting the heat transfer industry’s first unit where every single element, from the packaging to the refrigerants to the cladding, are all 100% recyclable or reusable.
We're committed to promoting a circular economy, and our repair service is a testament to this commitment. Through our customer portal, myguntner.com, customers can easily access and purchase spare parts, making it convenient for them to keep their units in good working condition for longer. This not only fosters a more sustainable approach by reducing the need for replacements and associated resource consumption, but also enhances customer satisfaction.
We place paramount importance on collaboration with our suppliers and partners, forging strategic alliances that embed circular practices into every aspect of our supply chain. As an illustrative example, we have partnered with the NGO CIRCULAR REPUBLIC to create a robust network, encompassing suppliers, partners such as universities, and startups. This collective effort aims to propel us towards achieving our circular unit objectives, fostering a sustainable and circular future.
By adopting these strategies as above, we can play a pivotal role in transitioning towards a more circular economy, fostering a sustainable future for all.
|