Take 5: Sandro Ruffato
Nom : Sandro RUFFATOFonction : President
Société : ClimaCool SAS
When and how did you start your career in the HVAC and Refrigeration industry?
I started my career in 1988 at Unité Hermétique (now Tecumseh Europe) in the manufacturing of hermetic compressors and condensing units. After several positions as plant manager and industrial director, I took over as CEO in 2007.
Throughout these years, I could see the tremendous challenges the industry is facing due to environmental concerns.
What is your current role?
In February 2014 I took over a HVAC company, ClimaCool in Neyron (in the French department of Ain), specializing in the installation and maintenance of HVAC systems (direct expansion, chilled water, heat pumps) in the industry and service sector.
This company – about thirty people – is very present in the banking sector, in laboratories and in major property developers.
What surprised you (or maybe even still surprises you) in HVAC & Refrigeration?
The extraordinary diversity of techniques used in all areas of production, transmission and utilization.
The tremendous progress made in limiting the environmental impact of energy consumption and fluids.
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing the HVAC & Refrigeration industry?
The biggest challenge is to meet the expectations of both comfort and well-being for a growing number of people, and the demands of reducing the impact of HVAC systems on the environment.
The stakes are even more important in the field of refrigeration. Depending on the region, between 20 and 40% of food is lost because of the lack of a cold chain.
What advice would you give someone starting off in the industry?
This is a highly technical industry from equipment design to their installation and implementation. It is essential to control these aspects so as to achieve the results expected by the customer or user.
Be passionate. This is an industry that contributes to the well being of individuals, with additional major economic issues at stake.
