Daikin Reefer has appointed Ah Huat Goh as general manager of global marketing and service in its Reefer Container Department.
Goh brings a wealth of reefer experience to the role, with 14 years as director of technical services – global reefer trade at shipping line APL, and 13 years as regional service manager for Carrier Transicold.
The container refrigeration equipment supplier said in a statement released 14 September that the appointment would further advance Daikin’s innovations in controlled atmosphere (CA) technology to enhance shelf-life, including its ‘Active CA’ technology.
“Daikin is serious about Active CA and its future potential, and the appointment of Ah Huat Goh, with his wealth of knowledge and expertise, illustrates that commitment,” Shin Furuta, Daikin Reefer president, said. “With advances in technology, shipping is now capable of taking cargoes that previously had to be carried by expensive air freight. We believe that Active CA will provide shipping lines with the capability and versatility needed to better compete for new cargoes, such as cut flowers. Shippers will benefit from the cost reduction achieved through transportation by sea rather than air.”
The Active CA technology creates optimum controlled atmosphere, quickly, by capturing nitrogen in the air and transferring it into the reefer container, which in turn reduces oxygen levels, without the need for additional nitrogen gas to be injected.
The ‘active’ rather than passive technology reduces the respiration rate of produce by putting the produce to ‘sleep’, the company said, which extends its shelf-life and minimises water loss.
“Having been wholly focused on reefer technology development including controlled atmosphere technology and its development for the reefer business since the 90s, I’ve experienced perspectives of both reefer manufacturer and shipping company,” Goh said. “During my career, I have also invested significant energy in understanding the growers’ needs.
“In my opinion, active CA technology has clear benefits over passive solutions, and I’m excited about the potential of Daikin’s Active CA, as I can see that it represents a new and innovative approach to cargo care.”
