Adande’s Aircell open front, integral refrigerated Grab & Go cabinet has won first place in the Energy Efficiency category at the 2018 Footprint Awards 2018. For good measure, the product was also awarded second place in the Sustainable Catering Equipment Manufacturer category. Adande was the only company to receive a first and second place at this year’s awards.

This accolade comes just weeks after the company’s Aircell^® Sarma cabinet won the Packaging & Equipment category at the British Sandwich Association’s Sammies Awards and follows the success of the Aircell^® Grab & Go product at the 2018 Food & Hotel Asia SCI Equipment Awards in Singapore and the 2017 FCSI UK & Ireland Sustainable Catering Equipment Awards.

The Footprint Awards recognise and honour the achievements of companies and their products in terms of energy efficiency, sustainability and responsible business practice in the out-of-home sector and its supply chain. This year’s award scheme attracted entries from the broad spectrum of the hospitality and foodservice sectors, which were judged by senior industry specialists.

Adande’s Chairman, Nigel Bell, received the trophy at the Footprint Awards’ annual dinner held at the Royal Institute of British Architects, London, on 24 May. He stated:

“The receipt of the prestigious Footprint Award, following on from previous competition successes, further endorses the credentials of Aircell open front cabinet technology and highlights the tangible benefits for the display of chilled food to go in foodservice and convenience retailing operations.

"Aircell is a unique and disruptive technology, which saves energy, increases sales, maintains product quality and improves the shopping experience.”

In its award entry submissions, Adande demonstrated that its Aircell Grab & Go display case represents innovation and a commitment to sustainability. The Aircell system works by dividing the cabinet’s merchandising envelope into separate air flow managed cells with small, low pressure air columns. Each cell has its own air curtain, which is more efficient than a full height canopy-to-base air curtain on a conventional multi deck case. The net result is less pressure on the inside of the air curtain of each cell and a substantial reduction in cold air spillage. The technology is particularly suited to harsh environments, often found in food to go outlets and convenience stores, where cross draughts can exacerbate cold air spillage.

Aircell provides significant food to go focused features for the retailer. The significant reduction in cold air spillage means that there is less duty on the refrigeration system, creating energy savings. During in-store trials, the energy consumption of a prototype Aircell cabinet was measured as 53.6% less than the store’s existing open front multi deck, representing an annual saving in electricity costs of £660.65 for a 1250 mm unit.

Because chilled air doesn’t fall from the cabinet, the temperature bandwidth is much tighter, keeping food products fresher for longer and reducing waste. During an in-store trial, air temperature within an Aircell Grab & Go cabinet was measured to a bandwidth of 3°C, compared with an average range of 13°C in the store’s existing open front multi deck. 

Aircell cabinets also provide benefits for the shopper. The tight cabinet temperature bandwidth ensures that food is held at the optimum temperature for freshness, quality and appearance, improving the eating experience. The chilly store conditions created by cold air spillage is eliminated, creating a warmer shopping environment for the customer, promoting browsing and increased sales. The open front nature of the Aircell^® cabinet also provides unfettered access to merchandise, which is a prerequisite for food to go operations.

Pictured: Adande’s Chairman, Nigel Bell (right), is pictured receiving the award from Bryn Sutton of London Linen.