CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (INGERSOLL RAND NEWS SERVICE) -- The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) invited Ingersoll Rand's Climate Solutions Sector to participate in the Cold Chain Standards and Regulations conference held in Cape Town, South Africa, on September 20-25, 2009. Ingersoll Rand was named one of the conference co-sponsors, together with the Global Cold Chain Alliance, South African Perishable Products Export Control Board and the South African Refrigerated Distribution Association.

Five African countries were represented in this conference: South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Mauritius and Swaziland. Over fifty people representing public and private organizations from these southern African countries gathered to learn and exchange ideas on:

• Guidelines, regulations and standards specific to storage, transportation and handling of perishable foods
• Facility design and development for optimum refrigeration, humidity control, product logistics and operational efficiency
• Retail merchandizing methods to maintain product quality and ensure food safety

Jorge Saenz, director of Cold Chain Management Services for Ingersoll Rand, spoke to the audience about the importance of cold chain infrastructure and processes, and maintaining the quality and safety of perishable products.

The conference is part of the program established by the USDA FAS Office of Capacity Building and Development to improve the cold chain in emerging markets. While discretionary income and consumer spending potential has grown rapidly in many of those countries, the cold chain has failed to develop at the same pace. This deficiency limits trade in high-quality perishable foods, and also raises food safety concerns.

"These conferences are a great forum to share Ingersoll Rand's cold chain model involving assets, people and processes, as well as to assess potential opportunities for providing professional services and infrastructure in these countries," said Saenz. "It is very rewarding to see many of the conference participants leave the forum recognizing Ingersoll Rand's leadership and expertise in the Cold Chain."