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

SkillFridge postponed until early 2021

UK: SkillFridge 2020, the national skill competition for apprentice air conditioning and refrigeration engineers, has been postponed to the first quarter of next year due to the coronavirus crisis.

“Due to extra measures surrounding people management and restrictions expected with live events and mass gatherings, we have taken the decision to move the whole 2020 national competitions and the live final into the first quarter of 2021, with the live final being hosted at the National Industry event HVACR Live in London in the spring 2021,” the organiser said.

Already postponed from April, no definite dates have yet been announced for HVACR Live.

To help competitors plan, prepare and stay informed from now until January, the SkillFridge organising team says it is putting together a series of webinars and digital initiatives direct from industry and RACHP governing bodies.

These digital event will take place each month starting in September.

Latest News

13th October 2026

Hitachi launches Air365 Max (Pro) R32 VRF

GERMANY: Launched at this week’s Chillventa show, Air365 Max (Pro) is Hitachi’s latest VRF system for commercial projects and using R32 refrigerant.
13th October 2026

Panasonic adds compact R290 heat pumps

GERMANY:  Panasonic has introduced new compact residential indoor and outdoor units to its Aquarea M Series of R290 air-to-water heat pumps.
13th October 2026

Cyber firm claims over 800 UK supermarkets vulnerable to attack

UK: An internet scan has revealed that more than 800 refrigeration and BMS controllers in the UK are vulnerable to a cyberattack similar to those experienced in France this week.
13th October 2026

Security firm warns on refrigeration asset security

USA: Following Sunday night’s cyberattack on French supermarkets, security company Claroty has warned food retailers that they should not assume that their refrigeration controllers are isolated and secure.
12th October 2026

Danfoss moves to mitigate cyberattack

FRANCE: Danfoss has said it is in close contact with supermarket customers in France affected by a cyberattack on Sunday night on its refrigeration controllers.
12th October 2026

Bitzer debuts screw compressor for data centre cooling

GERMANY: Bitzer is to launch a new screw compressor specifically developed for data centre cooling at the Chillventa exhibition, which begins tomorrow.