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Temperature-controlled production, storage and transport of among other things food, chemicals and pharmaceutical products is known as the “cold chain”. Once this chain breaks, problems arise because the freshness of a product can no longer be guaranteed.
Acu-Temp is a proudly South African company that provides temperature-control monitoring, does calibrating and repairs, and provides support services to the cold-chain industry.
Garnet Christians from Jamestown, Stellenbosch, is co-founder of Acu-Temp, one of the winners in VIA’s Youth Day campaign.
Six small to medium business were each awarded airtime on VIA, as well as advertising space in Media24 magazines and newspapers. VIA created a 30-second commercial for each winner as part of prizes valued at a whopping R3 million.
Garnet had always wanted to start his own business. The biggest obstacles he encountered were start-up capital and securing the right business premises.
“Along the way there are always important lessons to be learnt. You have to understand every aspect of your business and do thorough market research.”
Most of his clients are from the Boland, and include the University of Stellenbosch, but this 100% black-owned company’s biggest clients are Durban-based exporters of fresh produce, which by the very nature of their business obviously rely heavily on temperature control of their goods.
Garnet is very proud that Acu-Temp is an agent for the German company Ebro Xylem, and the only company in South Africa with a certified technician who can calibrate most of Ebro Xylem’s products, including thermometers.
“It is not easy to start your own business and manage it,” Garnet says. “You have to think of your failures as a learning curve. Today I am a much stronger person and better equipped to turn my business into a success.”
So, whether you are an exporter of fruit, head up a museum with valuable artworks, or have a wine collection in your home that can only be matured at the correct temperature – get in touch with Garnet, and he will make sure everything is cool.
Contact information:
- Contact number: 072 469 3169
- Email address: garnet@acu-temp.co.za
- Website: acu-temp.co.za
- Facebook: Facebook.com/acu-temp
