Wilkinson ditches air-con for eco air-cooling system

Retail Week March 2008

Wilkinson Hardware Stores has adopted an air-cooling system that could save energy.

The retailer is introducing "free cooling" in 148 of its 300 stores in the UK.

Working in partnership with GK Industrial, it has switched from traditional air conditioning to this new concept.

The duo have developed a way to use outside ambient air temperature to maintain the required temperature in-store. This replaces the traditional method of constantly running rooftop compressors to recirculate air to a set temperature, irrespective of the temperature outside.

GK Industrial managing director David Goldberg said: "Free cooling reduces compressor running hours, energy usage and running costs, while increasing the lifespan of the system. It also improves air quality by introducing greater quantities of fresh air."

The system was tested for 67.5 hours over three days. The results showed that replacing the original recirculation system with an average free cooling system led to an energy cost saving of 40p per sq ft in a typical Wilkinson store, based on present energy prices.

Wilkinson property maintenance manager Leigh Oldfield said: "In addition to the cost savings and benefits in terms of long-term sustainability, the new system will help create a better ambience in-store."

Retailers can make “massive” costs and energy savings by using ‘Free Cooling’ rather than traditional Air Conditioning systems

March 2008

New research has shown that the adoption of ‘Free Cooling’ into traditional HVAC systems in the retail sector could make massive savings in energy costs as demonstrated already by GK Industrial Ltd working in partnership with Wilkinson Hardware Stores.

Wilkinson, which has a property portfolio of nearly 300 stores across the UK, is one of the leading energy efficient and ‘green’ retailers on the high street. As part of their proactive approach to the environment and energy management, Wilkinson is constantly searching for ways in which it can maximise the efficiency of its heating and cooling systems to combat increasing energy bills.

GK Industrial provides energy efficient climate control solutions to Wilkinson covering the installation and maintenance of its entire HVAC estate. This gave GK the ideal platform to develop the Free Cooling initiative in partnership with Wilkinson.

By working together the Free Cooling concept was developed and applied to the existing HVAC systems, which in essence uses outside ambient air temperature to maintain the required store temperature parameters; thus replacing the traditional method of constantly running rooftop compressors to re-circulate air to a set temperature irrespective of the temperature outside. Suitable testing validated the benefits by quantifying the associated energy savings.

The results showed that on average the Free Cooling system ran at almost 80% less than the original recirculation system - 9 hours compared to 45 hours. This equated to an average energy cost saving of over 40p per square foot per annum in a typical Wilkinson store based on current energy prices.

Wilkinson is now rolling out the Free Cooling system to 148 of its stores where ducted ventilation systems allow Free Cooling to be undertaken.

David Goldberg, Managing Director at GK Industrial comments:

“These findings are truly fantastic for both GK and Wilkinson. It proves that Free Cooling can deliver huge energy cost savings for the retail sector by maintaining or reducing the internal temperature without the need to run the expensive mechanical refrigeration system.

“There are so many direct benefits to Free Cooling. To name a few, it reduces compressor running hours, energy usage and running costs, whilst increasing the lifespan of the system. It also improves air quality by introducing greater quantities of fresh air.”

Leigh Oldfield, Property Maintenance Manager for Wilkinson said:

“In addition to the cost savings and benefits in relation to long term sustainability, the new system will help create a better ambience in our stores. Inevitably it will lead to an improved shopping experience for our customers and a better working environment for our employees.

“We are working closely with GK Industrial to review our energy efficiency across the store network. Wilkinson has set an objective to become one of the most energy efficient retailers on the high street. This is not just in response to increasing energy costs and impending legislation, but as part of our ongoing commitment to protect the environment.”

The Wilkinson trial lasted for 67.5 hours over a three day period, with outside temperatures ranging from 13 centigrade to 23 centigrade during the trial.

Laura Ashley turns to GK

February 2008

GK Industrial has become an approved contract provider to Laura Ashley, installing air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems into new and existing Laura Ashley stores across the UK and Ireland.

As one of the UK’s most respected and famous retailers, Laura Ashley is renowned for its high quality and leading edge fashion that has made it become one of the most famous brands on the high street spanning over 50 years.

With an expansive new store opening and refurbishment programme being conducted by Laura Ashley, they had to ensure that its store environment, including its heating and air conditioning system is working perfectly for its customers. GK Industrial has therefore been chosen as an approved contractor to design and install the store HVAC system, and has already installed systems to a number of UK and Ireland stores.

Alan Williams, national sales manager at GK added: ‘We are very proud to be associated with a high profile retailer such as Laura Ashley, and believe this is testament to our personal approach that we endeavour to give to our customers.

Our experience of delivering excellent service to other major national retailers, added with specialist industry skills was proven to Laura Ashley, and was one of the main reasons I believe why they have chosen to work with GK.’

GK acquires Scotia Energy Systems

January 2008

GK Industrial Ltd has continued its expansion with the acquisition of Scotia Energy Saving Systems Limited for an undisclosed sum.

Scotia Energy supplies and maintains air conditioning, heat recovery, refrigeration, heating and ventilation systems throughout Scotland and the North of England.

Established in 1980, Scotia Energy employs over 60 staff with headquarters in Glenrothes, Scotland. Over the last 20 years, the company has increased in size, reputation and turnover to become one of the most respected cooling and heating service providers in Scotland.

GK Industrial offers energy efficient climate control heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to the retail, public and commercial sectors with customers including Next, Wilkinson’s, Philips and Brighthouse.

Scotia Energy will trade as a subsidiary of GK Industrial and will broaden its customer base and strengthen its geographical coverage.

GK Industrial Managing Director David Goldberg commented:

“Scotia Energy is a long standing business with turnover in excess of £5 million and a very impressive client base spanning local authorities, hospitals, universities, retail, leisure and commercial sectors.

GK Industrial is expanding in every area of the business, and Scotia Energy compliments our business model and company culture perfectly. We very much look forward to working with Scotia Energy, offering our existing and new customers an increased level of resources”.

Scotia Energy Managing Director Phil Vaughn spoke of the acquisition:

“We welcomed the approach from IDSS and were most impressed with the ideas, the vision and the quality of the personnel concerned.

When we realised that GK Industrial, a leader in the air conditioning industry were very similar to ourselves in focusing on providing a quality service, it was easy for us to make our decision to join IDSS.

We are confident that the future of Scotia Energy Saving Systems Limited looks positive. Being part of a larger organisation secures the future of the company and the employees, and gives us greater opportunities to expand our already successful business.”

GK Indsutrial is a wholly owned subsidiary of ID Support Service Holdings limited (IDSS). IDSS employs over 150 people and operates through two trading groups offering support services to blue chip, multi-site customers in the retail, leisure and commercial sectors.