AIRAH’s HVAC&R Nation magazine have published an article detailing the outlook in the new year for the industry.
The article contains interviews from figures in the industry with extensive experience–Kevin Sullivan from Air Design, Simon Bradwell from Ebm-Papst ANZ, Peter Gibson from Bitzer Australia, Chris Miller from Specialized Engineering and Paul De Bruin from Fantech.
All of them were asked what business conditions they expected, how business expectations differed from last year, whether business confidence is improving or not and what the major challenge/s would be for the industry this year.
Kevin Sullivan, General Manager for Air Design stated that he expected a tighter and competitive market, that business confidence is increasing with the Federal Government changing leadership and that manufacturing would be the major challenge facing the industry this year.
Simon Bradwell, Managing Director of Ebm-Papst ANZ stated interest rates and the weakening Australian dollar will affect businesses and that the quality of training of engineers would be the major challenge facing the industry this year.
Peter Gibson, Managing Director of Bitzer Australia also stated that the weakening Australian dollar will affect businesses and that available capital to install new equipment, as well as the transition to new refrigerants would be the major challenge facing the industry this year.
Chris Miller, Managing Director of Specialized Engineering stated that he expected business conditions to improve in some sectors and cautious optimism across others. He also stated that business confidence is improving and that refrigerants will be the major challenge facing the industry this year.
Paul De Bruin, Managing Director of Fantech gave a similar answer to Miller stating that he expected business conditions to be cautiously optimistic. He also stated that a lower exchange rate affects business expectations and that regulations would be a major challenge to the industry this year.
HVAC&R Nation’s article can be found and read in full here.