Chiquita Brands increased its investment in Carrier Transicold PrimeLINE container refrigeration units nearly fivefold in 2010, based on the performance track record and energy-savings of the PrimeLINE units, demonstrated through research.
Within the past year, Cincinnati OH-based Chiquita added 4,700 PrimeLINE units equipped with the QUEST power-saving mode to the 1,250 previously acquired for its banana fleet. Chiquita’s investment came on the heels of side-by-side tests it ran comparing power consumption and pulldown performance of the PrimeLINE unit with other manufacturers’ units.
“Pulldown performance is critical to assuring the highest quality product,” said Juan Carlos Hernandez, Chiquita’s manager of maintenance and repair, who supervised the testing. “In addition, energy conservation is vital to Chiquita’s green transportation initiatives, and we were pleased that it not only reduces fuel consumption related to shipboard power generation, but also reduces emissions proportionately, helping us to shrink our carbon footprint.”
“We applaud the wisdom of Chiquita in conducting its own analysis to verify capabilities of container refrigeration systems before expanding its investment,” said David Appel, president of Carrier Transicold. “Over the period of ownership, the energy efficiency of PrimeLINE units will result in a substantial savings in terms of total lifecycle costs.”
Chiquita is an international marketer and distributor of fresh food products—from bananas and other fruits to blends of green salads. The PrimeLINE units are used on routes from Central America, 95% of which are destined for North American ports.
For more information about PrimeLINE refrigeration units, visit www.container.carrier.com.
Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier Corp, a unit of United Technologies Corp (NYSE: UTX). Visit www.carrier.com for more information.
