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

Rik Van Leemput 1940-2021

BELGIUM: The Belgian refrigeration and air conditioning association Frixis is mourning the death of its honorary chairman Rik Van Leemput.

Following several years as vice-chairman, Van Leemput assumed the chairmanship of UBF-ACA, as Frixis was then known, in 2000. Even after his termination of office as chairman in 2006, he remained closely involved in the operation of Frixis.  

A former manager at Grencobel, the current Engie Axima Refrigeration, Frixis says that Van Leemput always tried to act from the point of view of the small installer.

A statement on the association’s website remembers him at Grencobel as a manager who grew his department strongly to more than 200 employees at the end of the 1990s. 

“Due to his soft but fair leadership style in which he regularly carried out site and studio visits, he came across as a father figure. He was always up to date with the ins and outs of his department and he was also able to follow up the bookkeeping well. In difficult situations, he was always there to support his employees, to personally visit the customer and to help look for a solution,” the statement notes.

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.