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

MacQueen crowned at Scottish dinner

UK: David MacQueen, the former owner of one the UK’s most influential air conditioning distributors, was recognised for his contribution to the industry at last night’s Scottish IoR dinner.

David MacQueen received the Kooltech Award in front of over 350 guests at last night’s dinner at the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow. The event was hosted by television presenter, radio DJ and former Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus.

In a further award, John Thompson, the Turner (Dundee) apprentice, who has been making a habit of winning awards recently, was named Apprentice of the Year.

MacQueen Air Conditioning, was founded in Glasgow in 1980. As one of the big five independent Daikin distributors, the company went on to make a significant contribution to growing the UK air conditioning market and establishing Daikin as the largest brand in the country.

By 2004, MacQueen Air Conditioning had achieved a turnover of 16m and established offices in Edinburgh, Leeds and Maidstone to support its 20,000ft² Glasgow headquarters. It was then that MacQueen was acquired by Daikin for a reported £3.5m.

David MacQueen went on to serve as a director of Daikin UK before leaving in 2008.

Apprentice of the Year

Recently named Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Apprentice of the Year by contractors’ body BESA, John Thompson followed up that success by taking the IoR Scottish Branch Apprentice of the Year. A student at Glasgow Kelvin College, Thompson is the College’s former apprentice of the year, and also won the Bronze medal in the national SkillFridge competition 2016.

Latest News

23rd June 2026

Enex signs €35.5m ESG-linked refinancing facility

ITALY: Enex Technologies, the Treviso-based industrial and commercial cooling equipment manufacturer, has signed a €35.5m ESG-linked refinancing agreement.
23rd June 2026

Rainer Grosse-Kracht named EPEE president

BELGIUM: Rainer Grosse-Kracht, chief technology officer at compressor manufacturer Bitzer, has been named as president of the European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE).
22nd June 2026

Green group calls for end to subsidies for EVs using R1234yf

GERMANY: The influential German environmental aid association Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) is calling on the German government to end subsidies for electric cars with R1234yf refrigerants in their AC systems.
22nd June 2026

Daikin agrees $8.5m penalty over hazardous PTAC

USA: Daikin has agreed to pay an $8.5m civil penalty for failing to immediately report that one of its US-made Amana packaged terminal air conditioners could overheat.
21st June 2026

Korea project to improve refrigerant management

KOREA: The Korean Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute has announced an initiative to improve the country's HFC refrigerant management.
21st June 2026

Ammonia leak kills 7 and sends 70 to hospital

INDIA: Seven people are reported to have died and over 70 hospitalised following an ammonia gas leak at a seafood factory in Tamil Nadu.