World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Toshiba VRF fulfils “tall” order

The new £1m Giraffe House

UK: Not to be dissuaded by a “tall” order, Bristol-based Just Air Conditioning has installed Toshiba VRF air conditioners in a new £1m state-of-the-art giraffe house.

The system is for three young giraffes Gerry, Tom and Dayo, the latest attractions to arrive at the Wild Place Project, a new venture established by Bristol Zoological Society in South Gloucestershire. The family outdoor adventure park has wildlife from the UK and across the world and, in addition to giraffe, has lemurs of Madagascar and grey wolves of Europe.

The giraffe enclosure, which stands on nearly two acres, was built following an appeal that attracted support from the public and corporate sponsors.

The Toshiba high wall units provide the right conditions while being out of the way of the giraffes

The enclosure is equipped with a heat-pump-based Toshiba SMMS-e two-pipe VRF system, specified by Toshiba T7 partner Just Air Conditioning, and includes four ceiling-suspended indoor units and three wall-mounted units.

Wayne Raven, who headed the project for Just Air Conditioning, said, “The ceiling-suspended units had to be located above the public viewing balcony, to ensure they were out of reach of the giraffe, which can grow up to 18ft tall.”

Visitors can walk into the viewing area on the ground floor, which can accommodate up to 30 people, and watch the giraffe from just a few feet away.

Latest News

14th May 2026

SWEP pledges $30m to boost production

SWEDEN: Brazed plate heat exchanger manufacturer SWEP is to invest $30m over the next two years to more than double the manufacturing capacity for larger-sized products.
13th May 2026

Ammonia chiller exceeds expectations

UK: The installation of Star Refrigeration’s low-charge ammonia Azanefreezer 2.0 at a food distribution hub in Daventry has delivered energy savings far exceeding initial projections.
13th May 2026

Mitsubishi extends backing of women’s rugby

UK: Mitsubishi Electric Europe BV has extended its sponsorship of UK women’s rugby by becoming an official partner of Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR), and the Rugby Players Association (RPA). The…
13th May 2026

Daikin sales up 5.5%

JAPAN: Daikin has reported a sales increase of JPY5,015,036m (US$31,814m) for the year to the end of March, a 5.5% increase on last year.
12th May 2026

Daikin deal to advance data centre cooling

SINGAPORE: Daikin Holdings Singapore is to collaborate with Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Delta Electronics on coolant distribution units for AI and high‑performance computing data centres across the ASEAN/Oceania region.
12th May 2026

ABB develops IE6 high‑efficiency motor

UK: ABB claims to be the world’s first manufacturer to offer an IE6 hyper‑efficiency motor certified to ATEX and IECEx requirements for use in hazardous areas.