Growing demand for gensets

Quality of SA fruit is a
determining factor for
increasing exports, and
a coherent cold chain is
required for maintaining
that quality. An erratic
power supply has the
potential to reverse export
progress, making the
electrical generator the
perishable shipper’s
essential tool.
“I think it’s the quality
of fruit that is boosting
exports, and refrigeration is
making a big difference to
the quality of fruit headed
for the Far East, America
and other markets,” said
Dave Pretorius, director of
Generator and Plant Hire
SA.
“Some companies
stipulate that the cargo
has to be refrigerated,
and that’s where we come
in. The export market is
growing and growing, and
we grow with it. We rent out
a generator that fits under
the truck that transports
perishables. At the moment
we are running 120-odd
generators on trucks, up
20% from last year when we
ran 85 units,” said Pretorius.
Generator hire is
seasonal, and depends on
the fragility of a particular
crop.
“Grape season (in
summer) is very good for
us. November to the end
of February is peak time.
We are fully booked those
months,” said Pretorius,
while winter months bring
citrus crops that can be less
dependent on refrigeration.
Back on the farm
where the cold chain
starts, growers also need
consistent refrigeration for
their harvested products
at packing time. Back-up
generators available for
rental at GPHSA have an
output from 20 KVA to
1000 KVA. Generators for
purchase are available from
10 KVA to 2000 KVA.
“We supply stand-by
generators in case the power
supply is unreliable. It’s
very busy over the fruit
season. But the season is so
short that to purchase for
just that period, the user
finds it’s more profitable
just to hire,” Pretorius said.